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derek1013

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      derek1013
      Participant

        Very interesting! Thank you for the details of your initial biopsy experience. I ended up reading (too late of course) that shave biopsis were controversial if melanoma is suspected, but I'm glad to hear you think it will provide a higher degree of certainty.

        It sounds like you've been through a lot. I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm really glad that you had a happy ending and that you are alive to tell the tale!  I'll take your advice and set a reminder to read your story in a couple weeks. However it turns out for me, it's been interesting to brush up against this entire world which I was previously naive about, and to see how supportive everyone is.

        derek1013
        Participant

          Very interesting! Thank you for the details of your initial biopsy experience. I ended up reading (too late of course) that shave biopsis were controversial if melanoma is suspected, but I'm glad to hear you think it will provide a higher degree of certainty.

          It sounds like you've been through a lot. I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm really glad that you had a happy ending and that you are alive to tell the tale!  I'll take your advice and set a reminder to read your story in a couple weeks. However it turns out for me, it's been interesting to brush up against this entire world which I was previously naive about, and to see how supportive everyone is.

          derek1013
          Participant

            Very interesting! Thank you for the details of your initial biopsy experience. I ended up reading (too late of course) that shave biopsis were controversial if melanoma is suspected, but I'm glad to hear you think it will provide a higher degree of certainty.

            It sounds like you've been through a lot. I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm really glad that you had a happy ending and that you are alive to tell the tale!  I'll take your advice and set a reminder to read your story in a couple weeks. However it turns out for me, it's been interesting to brush up against this entire world which I was previously naive about, and to see how supportive everyone is.

            derek1013
            Participant

              Hi George,

              Thank God indeed for your good news! I hope you did something fun to celebrate πŸ™‚

              Sorry if my pictures led to any confusion – the doctor did perform the biopsy on the first visit. Unless you are suggesting he should have removed more than just the skin layer? In that case, I'm not sure. It was all so new to me and happened quite quickly that I didn't even know what to ask at the time. I have a follow-up appointment February 8th, but I am hoping to get a phone call with the results before then.

              Thanks again!

              derek1013
              Participant

                Hi George,

                Thank God indeed for your good news! I hope you did something fun to celebrate πŸ™‚

                Sorry if my pictures led to any confusion – the doctor did perform the biopsy on the first visit. Unless you are suggesting he should have removed more than just the skin layer? In that case, I'm not sure. It was all so new to me and happened quite quickly that I didn't even know what to ask at the time. I have a follow-up appointment February 8th, but I am hoping to get a phone call with the results before then.

                Thanks again!

                derek1013
                Participant

                  Hi George,

                  Thank God indeed for your good news! I hope you did something fun to celebrate πŸ™‚

                  Sorry if my pictures led to any confusion – the doctor did perform the biopsy on the first visit. Unless you are suggesting he should have removed more than just the skin layer? In that case, I'm not sure. It was all so new to me and happened quite quickly that I didn't even know what to ask at the time. I have a follow-up appointment February 8th, but I am hoping to get a phone call with the results before then.

                  Thanks again!

                  derek1013
                  Participant

                    Thanks Anon! I hope you are right too. That is pretty interesting that some atypical moles manifest the same way like that.

                    I really wish I would have taken time to learn about skin care earlier, but better late than never πŸ™‚

                    derek1013
                    Participant

                      Thanks Anon! I hope you are right too. That is pretty interesting that some atypical moles manifest the same way like that.

                      I really wish I would have taken time to learn about skin care earlier, but better late than never πŸ™‚

                      derek1013
                      Participant

                        Thanks Anon! I hope you are right too. That is pretty interesting that some atypical moles manifest the same way like that.

                        I really wish I would have taken time to learn about skin care earlier, but better late than never πŸ™‚

                        derek1013
                        Participant

                          Thank you for the reply Niki, it was very nice to hear a response. It is nice to have a place to ask questions and vent concerns without putting any unncecessary stress on my loved ones at this point. Hopefully I will get to look back and feel silly for worrying in the first place πŸ™‚

                          I'm still learning about the various procedures, but I assume a "wide margin excision" is only done if a cancer is identified? To be honest, that is what I'm expecting to hear from the doc, but I guess I'm just bracing for the worst, hoping to be surprised. 

                          Thanks again — it really meant a lot to me. Whether we speak again or not, I wish you the very best on your journey (I plan to look at your site and read about it after work :)).

                          derek1013
                          Participant

                            Thank you for the reply Niki, it was very nice to hear a response. It is nice to have a place to ask questions and vent concerns without putting any unncecessary stress on my loved ones at this point. Hopefully I will get to look back and feel silly for worrying in the first place πŸ™‚

                            I'm still learning about the various procedures, but I assume a "wide margin excision" is only done if a cancer is identified? To be honest, that is what I'm expecting to hear from the doc, but I guess I'm just bracing for the worst, hoping to be surprised. 

                            Thanks again — it really meant a lot to me. Whether we speak again or not, I wish you the very best on your journey (I plan to look at your site and read about it after work :)).

                            derek1013
                            Participant

                              Thank you for the reply Niki, it was very nice to hear a response. It is nice to have a place to ask questions and vent concerns without putting any unncecessary stress on my loved ones at this point. Hopefully I will get to look back and feel silly for worrying in the first place πŸ™‚

                              I'm still learning about the various procedures, but I assume a "wide margin excision" is only done if a cancer is identified? To be honest, that is what I'm expecting to hear from the doc, but I guess I'm just bracing for the worst, hoping to be surprised. 

                              Thanks again — it really meant a lot to me. Whether we speak again or not, I wish you the very best on your journey (I plan to look at your site and read about it after work :)).

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