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Empire

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      Empire
      Participant

        It depends, obviously. I'm waiting on my SNLB right now. My estimated depth was 0.8 mm but they didn't get clean margins in any direction so I was referred out.  

        I had the original skin biopsy on Dec 21. Dermatologist contacted me with the pathology results on the 30th. The surgeon's office called me the 5th with an appt time. I saw the surgeon this Tuesday and next Friday, the 22nd, is when the WLE and SNLB are going to happen. So for me, the time from original biopsy to surgery is going to be a month. 

        I don't know if this is a normal timeline or not, but I hope it helps. 

         

        Empire
        Participant

          It depends, obviously. I'm waiting on my SNLB right now. My estimated depth was 0.8 mm but they didn't get clean margins in any direction so I was referred out.  

          I had the original skin biopsy on Dec 21. Dermatologist contacted me with the pathology results on the 30th. The surgeon's office called me the 5th with an appt time. I saw the surgeon this Tuesday and next Friday, the 22nd, is when the WLE and SNLB are going to happen. So for me, the time from original biopsy to surgery is going to be a month. 

          I don't know if this is a normal timeline or not, but I hope it helps. 

           

          Empire
          Participant

            It depends, obviously. I'm waiting on my SNLB right now. My estimated depth was 0.8 mm but they didn't get clean margins in any direction so I was referred out.  

            I had the original skin biopsy on Dec 21. Dermatologist contacted me with the pathology results on the 30th. The surgeon's office called me the 5th with an appt time. I saw the surgeon this Tuesday and next Friday, the 22nd, is when the WLE and SNLB are going to happen. So for me, the time from original biopsy to surgery is going to be a month. 

            I don't know if this is a normal timeline or not, but I hope it helps. 

             

            Empire
            Participant

              I had a shave biopsy, too, so I'm wondering how much of the melanoma did they actually get. I suppose the WLE will tell me more? And my report doesn't say anything about margins other than the extending to the side and deep edges?

              The mole was one I had as long as I remember. I thought it was a birthmark. A couple months ago it started changing, getting darker and larger, which is why I went in. The mix up of cells make sense.

              To be honest, up until I saw the report, I was considering not having the SLNB done because for a simple 0.8 mm melanoma, the risk of lymph node involvement seemed really low on the medical studies I read. But reading it over with all the mixed up stuff and borderline features, it makes sense to do it now.

              And again, love the motto. I'm trying to act as if the WLE will clear the rest up and the SLNB is just a precaution, because even with the oddness, the chances of SLNB coming back positive is still low.

              Good luck on your surgery next week! Stay positive.

              Empire
              Participant

                I had a shave biopsy, too, so I'm wondering how much of the melanoma did they actually get. I suppose the WLE will tell me more? And my report doesn't say anything about margins other than the extending to the side and deep edges?

                The mole was one I had as long as I remember. I thought it was a birthmark. A couple months ago it started changing, getting darker and larger, which is why I went in. The mix up of cells make sense.

                To be honest, up until I saw the report, I was considering not having the SLNB done because for a simple 0.8 mm melanoma, the risk of lymph node involvement seemed really low on the medical studies I read. But reading it over with all the mixed up stuff and borderline features, it makes sense to do it now.

                And again, love the motto. I'm trying to act as if the WLE will clear the rest up and the SLNB is just a precaution, because even with the oddness, the chances of SLNB coming back positive is still low.

                Good luck on your surgery next week! Stay positive.

                Empire
                Participant

                  I had a shave biopsy, too, so I'm wondering how much of the melanoma did they actually get. I suppose the WLE will tell me more? And my report doesn't say anything about margins other than the extending to the side and deep edges?

                  The mole was one I had as long as I remember. I thought it was a birthmark. A couple months ago it started changing, getting darker and larger, which is why I went in. The mix up of cells make sense.

                  To be honest, up until I saw the report, I was considering not having the SLNB done because for a simple 0.8 mm melanoma, the risk of lymph node involvement seemed really low on the medical studies I read. But reading it over with all the mixed up stuff and borderline features, it makes sense to do it now.

                  And again, love the motto. I'm trying to act as if the WLE will clear the rest up and the SLNB is just a precaution, because even with the oddness, the chances of SLNB coming back positive is still low.

                  Good luck on your surgery next week! Stay positive.

                  Empire
                  Participant

                    It seems like our reports are similar. I don't have any answers either, but I understand how the waiting can be nervewracking. I had the biopsy done before Christmas and then the diagnosis before New Years and now I'm waiting on what's next too.

                    But I'm sure if MD Anderson's staff is aware of why you're requesting a visit, they won't wait any longer than necessary. Good luck!

                    Empire
                    Participant

                      It seems like our reports are similar. I don't have any answers either, but I understand how the waiting can be nervewracking. I had the biopsy done before Christmas and then the diagnosis before New Years and now I'm waiting on what's next too.

                      But I'm sure if MD Anderson's staff is aware of why you're requesting a visit, they won't wait any longer than necessary. Good luck!

                      Empire
                      Participant

                        It seems like our reports are similar. I don't have any answers either, but I understand how the waiting can be nervewracking. I had the biopsy done before Christmas and then the diagnosis before New Years and now I'm waiting on what's next too.

                        But I'm sure if MD Anderson's staff is aware of why you're requesting a visit, they won't wait any longer than necessary. Good luck!

                        Empire
                        Participant

                          That is a great motto! And yes, from what I understand, a mitotic rate of over 1 is considered 1B. But I'm at a 2, which probably isn't great but it could be worse as far as rates go. That means the cancer cells aren't growing at a super-rapid rate, right?

                          Empire
                          Participant

                            That is a great motto! And yes, from what I understand, a mitotic rate of over 1 is considered 1B. But I'm at a 2, which probably isn't great but it could be worse as far as rates go. That means the cancer cells aren't growing at a super-rapid rate, right?

                            Empire
                            Participant

                              That is a great motto! And yes, from what I understand, a mitotic rate of over 1 is considered 1B. But I'm at a 2, which probably isn't great but it could be worse as far as rates go. That means the cancer cells aren't growing at a super-rapid rate, right?

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