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HoolieB

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      HoolieB
      Participant

        One year later, an update:  

        Due to coverage changes, I have yet another new dermatologist.  This one immediately spotted the funny looking healed shave biopsy, as have all the other dematologists, and asked me about it.  When I explained it was a six or seven year old shave site, she said "Sometimes moles grow back.  This one, though, doesn't look anything like your other healed shaves.  Let's take a sample, just to be safe."  It's a melanoma.  Doh.  Further excision scheduled.  

        My message to anyone reading this is that you must trust your gut and advocate for yourself. 

        HoolieB
        Participant

          I like Dr. Walter Nahm (http://www.drwalternahm.com/about.html) who is located in San Diego.  The cosmetic stuff pays to keep his office modern and swanky, but his passion is diagnosing and treating skin cancer. 

          YMMV.

          HoolieB
          Participant

            I like Dr. Walter Nahm (http://www.drwalternahm.com/about.html) who is located in San Diego.  The cosmetic stuff pays to keep his office modern and swanky, but his passion is diagnosing and treating skin cancer. 

            YMMV.

            HoolieB
            Participant

              I like Dr. Walter Nahm (http://www.drwalternahm.com/about.html) who is located in San Diego.  The cosmetic stuff pays to keep his office modern and swanky, but his passion is diagnosing and treating skin cancer. 

              YMMV.

              HoolieB
              Participant

                Enjoy your vacation! 

                We're going to Alaska next week for our yearly escape, which I'll admit was partially chosen because of the cooler weather so covering up won't be uncomfortable.  Pre-diagnosis last year, though, was in Sedona, AZ, smack in the middle of August.  I mention that only because we can still live our lives to the fullest, only with a few adjustments.  πŸ™‚

                HoolieB
                Participant

                  Enjoy your vacation! 

                  We're going to Alaska next week for our yearly escape, which I'll admit was partially chosen because of the cooler weather so covering up won't be uncomfortable.  Pre-diagnosis last year, though, was in Sedona, AZ, smack in the middle of August.  I mention that only because we can still live our lives to the fullest, only with a few adjustments.  πŸ™‚

                  HoolieB
                  Participant

                    Enjoy your vacation! 

                    We're going to Alaska next week for our yearly escape, which I'll admit was partially chosen because of the cooler weather so covering up won't be uncomfortable.  Pre-diagnosis last year, though, was in Sedona, AZ, smack in the middle of August.  I mention that only because we can still live our lives to the fullest, only with a few adjustments.  πŸ™‚

                    HoolieB
                    Participant

                      If the results are straightforward, my doctor or his PA call me within a day or three.  If the report does not offer enough clarity for his preference, my doctor requests a second read.  He told me he likes to take into account my entire history of biopsies when reading the pathologist's report and determining a course of action (or hopefully, inaction!) for the latest biopsy site.  I'm OK with delays for second opinions and my doctor's considered review of the report.  That being said, when I used to go to an HMO-referred derm, results ALWAYS took 2 – 4 weeks, most likely because of the huge patient load.

                      Sorry for rambling!  Hopefully all the excellent responses here will help put your mind at ease. 

                      HoolieB
                      Participant

                        If the results are straightforward, my doctor or his PA call me within a day or three.  If the report does not offer enough clarity for his preference, my doctor requests a second read.  He told me he likes to take into account my entire history of biopsies when reading the pathologist's report and determining a course of action (or hopefully, inaction!) for the latest biopsy site.  I'm OK with delays for second opinions and my doctor's considered review of the report.  That being said, when I used to go to an HMO-referred derm, results ALWAYS took 2 – 4 weeks, most likely because of the huge patient load.

                        Sorry for rambling!  Hopefully all the excellent responses here will help put your mind at ease. 

                        HoolieB
                        Participant

                          If the results are straightforward, my doctor or his PA call me within a day or three.  If the report does not offer enough clarity for his preference, my doctor requests a second read.  He told me he likes to take into account my entire history of biopsies when reading the pathologist's report and determining a course of action (or hopefully, inaction!) for the latest biopsy site.  I'm OK with delays for second opinions and my doctor's considered review of the report.  That being said, when I used to go to an HMO-referred derm, results ALWAYS took 2 – 4 weeks, most likely because of the huge patient load.

                          Sorry for rambling!  Hopefully all the excellent responses here will help put your mind at ease. 

                          HoolieB
                          Participant

                            Thanks a million for letting me know I'm not alone in a.) feeling guilty for worrying about Stage I, and b.) thinking about melanoma every day.  For as prevalent as this cancer seems to be now, none of my friends or coworkers have experienced it.  So, my pool of resources was quite shallow until I found this place.

                            I had a severely dysplastic nevus removed off my back in early January, and just last week found out I have a moderately dysplastic nevus on my chest that should be removed.  The hits keep coming! πŸ˜‰  But I am grateful they were not called by melanoma by the pathologist's report. 

                            Thanks again for the support.  It's nice not to feel alone.

                            HoolieB
                            Participant

                              Thanks a million for letting me know I'm not alone in a.) feeling guilty for worrying about Stage I, and b.) thinking about melanoma every day.  For as prevalent as this cancer seems to be now, none of my friends or coworkers have experienced it.  So, my pool of resources was quite shallow until I found this place.

                              I had a severely dysplastic nevus removed off my back in early January, and just last week found out I have a moderately dysplastic nevus on my chest that should be removed.  The hits keep coming! πŸ˜‰  But I am grateful they were not called by melanoma by the pathologist's report. 

                              Thanks again for the support.  It's nice not to feel alone.

                              HoolieB
                              Participant

                                Thanks a million for letting me know I'm not alone in a.) feeling guilty for worrying about Stage I, and b.) thinking about melanoma every day.  For as prevalent as this cancer seems to be now, none of my friends or coworkers have experienced it.  So, my pool of resources was quite shallow until I found this place.

                                I had a severely dysplastic nevus removed off my back in early January, and just last week found out I have a moderately dysplastic nevus on my chest that should be removed.  The hits keep coming! πŸ˜‰  But I am grateful they were not called by melanoma by the pathologist's report. 

                                Thanks again for the support.  It's nice not to feel alone.

                                HoolieB
                                Participant

                                  Thanks!  That is a perfect clarification for me.  My apologies for my ignorant questions/statements; this is all quite new to me and I'm just looking for information.  It's a bit embarrassing to be concerned about a Stage I diagnosis when so many here are dealing with far more serious stages.  But it is concerning to me nonetheless. 

                                  Thanks again.

                                  Julie 

                                  HoolieB
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks!  That is a perfect clarification for me.  My apologies for my ignorant questions/statements; this is all quite new to me and I'm just looking for information.  It's a bit embarrassing to be concerned about a Stage I diagnosis when so many here are dealing with far more serious stages.  But it is concerning to me nonetheless. 

                                    Thanks again.

                                    Julie 

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