klcouser

Hello, I'm sorry to hear of your daughters diagnosis.  I too have a very similar story, however I was 47 when diagnosed with Stage 3A in February of this year.  I had a cluster of 10 cells that were .05mm that traveled to the lymph nodes in my right groin.  I too had the option of a CLND, and was able to talk to two surgeons who talked about their experiences with their patients developing Lymphedema.  They both were at 50% and the thought of developing this on top of my cancer that could potentially be life altering (my leg could swell so much I could no longer be active), I choose not to have a CLND.  I doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and they recommended the wait and watch approach too.  At first I thought no way, get this cancer out of me and I wanted to do what ever it took.  Because my original surgery was not that they Mayo clinic, there was some confusion as to ulceration.  Because the Mayo had to call for my original slides, it gave me time to research, talk to doctors and family/friends.  Family and friends were behind any decision and most suggest do whatever you can do to get the cancer out of your body.  My daughters doctor shed some light that really helped me be at piece, he said what people loose site of is the quality of life.  Everyone wants quantity, they want to live as long as possible, but they are not thinking about how the treatments will in some cases break you down.  My family and friends kept asking me what I wanted, my response was always "I just want to be me, the me I was before this diagnosis".  I actually listened to myself and agreed that the watch and wait was the right choice for me.   I get to be me with no physical treatments, but do struggle with the mental abuse this disease leave with you.  My watch and watch treatment plan consists of every three months, a PET scan, Ultra Sound of my groin, Blood work, meet with my oncology team and meet with my melanoma dermatologist doctor who gives me a thorough full body exam.  To date there has been NO EVIDENCE of this disease in my body and the best part is, I GET TO BE ME, and not have any type of poison administered into my body.  I pray and thank God everyday that I will remain free of cancer forever!  The mental abuse is like a roller coaster ride.  I feel great after each visit that confirms no evidence of the disease, but then become edgy and worried as the next set of appointments approach.  Hopefully in time that will ease a bit.   I believe this is the right path for me and I hope you can share this with your daughter and too feel at ease as she makes her decision.  Prayers for your daughter and your family.

~Kris

Hello, I'm sorry to hear of your daughters diagnosis.  I too have a very similar story, however I was 47 when diagnosed with Stage 3A in February of this year.  I had a cluster of 10 cells that were .05mm that traveled to the lymph nodes in my right groin.  I too had the option of a CLND, and was able to talk to two surgeons who talked about their experiences with their patients developing Lymphedema.  They both were at 50% and the thought of developing this on top of my cancer that could potentially be life altering (my leg could swell so much I could no longer be active), I choose not to have a CLND.  I doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and they recommended the wait and watch approach too.  At first I thought no way, get this cancer out of me and I wanted to do what ever it took.  Because my original surgery was not that they Mayo clinic, there was some confusion as to ulceration.  Because the Mayo had to call for my original slides, it gave me time to research, talk to doctors and family/friends.  Family and friends were behind any decision and most suggest do whatever you can do to get the cancer out of your body.  My daughters doctor shed some light that really helped me be at piece, he said what people loose site of is the quality of life.  Everyone wants quantity, they want to live as long as possible, but they are not thinking about how the treatments will in some cases break you down.  My family and friends kept asking me what I wanted, my response was always "I just want to be me, the me I was before this diagnosis".  I actually listened to myself and agreed that the watch and wait was the right choice for me.   I get to be me with no physical treatments, but do struggle with the mental abuse this disease leave with you.  My watch and watch treatment plan consists of every three months, a PET scan, Ultra Sound of my groin, Blood work, meet with my oncology team and meet with my melanoma dermatologist doctor who gives me a thorough full body exam.  To date there has been NO EVIDENCE of this disease in my body and the best part is, I GET TO BE ME, and not have any type of poison administered into my body.  I pray and thank God everyday that I will remain free of cancer forever!  The mental abuse is like a roller coaster ride.  I feel great after each visit that confirms no evidence of the disease, but then become edgy and worried as the next set of appointments approach.  Hopefully in time that will ease a bit.   I believe this is the right path for me and I hope you can share this with your daughter and too feel at ease as she makes her decision.  Prayers for your daughter and your family.

~Kris

Hello, I'm sorry to hear of your daughters diagnosis.  I too have a very similar story, however I was 47 when diagnosed with Stage 3A in February of this year.  I had a cluster of 10 cells that were .05mm that traveled to the lymph nodes in my right groin.  I too had the option of a CLND, and was able to talk to two surgeons who talked about their experiences with their patients developing Lymphedema.  They both were at 50% and the thought of developing this on top of my cancer that could potentially be life altering (my leg could swell so much I could no longer be active), I choose not to have a CLND.  I doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and they recommended the wait and watch approach too.  At first I thought no way, get this cancer out of me and I wanted to do what ever it took.  Because my original surgery was not that they Mayo clinic, there was some confusion as to ulceration.  Because the Mayo had to call for my original slides, it gave me time to research, talk to doctors and family/friends.  Family and friends were behind any decision and most suggest do whatever you can do to get the cancer out of your body.  My daughters doctor shed some light that really helped me be at piece, he said what people loose site of is the quality of life.  Everyone wants quantity, they want to live as long as possible, but they are not thinking about how the treatments will in some cases break you down.  My family and friends kept asking me what I wanted, my response was always "I just want to be me, the me I was before this diagnosis".  I actually listened to myself and agreed that the watch and wait was the right choice for me.   I get to be me with no physical treatments, but do struggle with the mental abuse this disease leave with you.  My watch and watch treatment plan consists of every three months, a PET scan, Ultra Sound of my groin, Blood work, meet with my oncology team and meet with my melanoma dermatologist doctor who gives me a thorough full body exam.  To date there has been NO EVIDENCE of this disease in my body and the best part is, I GET TO BE ME, and not have any type of poison administered into my body.  I pray and thank God everyday that I will remain free of cancer forever!  The mental abuse is like a roller coaster ride.  I feel great after each visit that confirms no evidence of the disease, but then become edgy and worried as the next set of appointments approach.  Hopefully in time that will ease a bit.   I believe this is the right path for me and I hope you can share this with your daughter and too feel at ease as she makes her decision.  Prayers for your daughter and your family.

~Kris