kcomUT
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kcomUT

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      • December 2, 2020 at 8:06 pm
      kcomUT
      Participant
        Just wanting to update my situation for anyone viewing this thread now or in the future. On 11/25 I had the wide local excision and SLNB. A few days later I had to get a skin graft since the location of the WLE was right above my left ankle and not able to be stitched up like normal. My doctor called me yesterday to tell me that all three nodes that were removed, as well as the local area were all clear of cancer. Needless to say I’m overwhelmingly relieved.

        Between the WLE site on ankle, SNLB slice/cut area, and skin graft donor site on my thigh, my left leg is pretty cut up, but I don’t regret going through it all to confirm what they did. I realize that proactive surveillance is critical for me so I plan on taking it very seriously. I am grateful for all of the wisdom and support on this forum, and wish you all luck and love!

        • November 12, 2020 at 6:56 pm
        kcomUT
        Participant
          I’m glad your lung was clear of any spreading. I hope you enjoy continued good health. I met with the doctor who will be doing my surgery. He echoed your sentiments about changes in melanoma treatment. He told me that we’ve come a long way and treatments have been greatly improved even in recent years.

          Concerning my case when I met with the doctor I was a bit taken aback by his optimism. He said based on my pathology results (o.9 mm depth, no ulceration, deep margin free of tumor by 0.1 mm) that it’s very unlikely the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. However my mitotic rate being 6 had me a bit rattled. I’m sure like many on this forum I’ve found myself reading medical articles and trying to find studies that have been done the meet my criteria. One concern is that thin melanoma in the range of 0.8 mm – 1 mm and being relatively young actually may increase the chances of LN positivity. I found one study that put my odds around 70% of nothing spreading, but I know all cases and studies can be different. I should probably just do myself a big favor stop looking at anything online other than this forum. My body could be different from any other case out there.

          My surgery is on 11/25 and I’m hoping to get the results a bit after that. I’ll try and let the group know how it goes. I’m hoping it hasn’t spread. Waiting is going to be hard but I’m taking comfort in knowing that the odds seem to be in my favor. Regardless of the results I’m trying to prep for any outcome. I have immense respect and admiration for everything going through a cancer battle. My love and good vibes are being sent to you all!

          • November 9, 2020 at 6:45 pm
          kcomUT
          Participant
            Wow. Have thankful you must have been to have caught that. I assume that you are all clear now? I hope so. Thanks for sharing your experience. I wish you continued good health.
            • November 9, 2020 at 6:26 pm
            kcomUT
            Participant
              Thank you for the quick response. So, are you saying that after your PET scan it revealed that your cancer had actually spread and that put you into stage IIIC? Does that mean that the SLNB may not be 100% conclusive? How are you doing right now? I hope that everything is going well.
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