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  • Post
    • August 6, 2015 at 11:29 pm
    erin123
    Participant

    Hi,

    I am new to this site. I was just diagnosed with melanoma in June. I had one spot on my chest that was 0.42mm and Clark level II, and another on the bottom of my toe that was in situ. I've had wide excision done on both of them now. I used a tanning bed in March for about a month recommended to me for other medical reasons which I won't go into and now realize what a horrible idea that was. After a month or so I noticed several moles had changed drastically. Now I am noticing SEVERAL more that have changed. I can't get this off my mind and I'm so scared and can't stop thinking about it. I know that my lesions were detected very early, but since things keep changing I can't stop checking my skin. I need to know how to relax with this new thing in my life but I can't figure out how to. How often should I do a skin check? Is it possible that these tiny spots are nothing to worry about. Some are very tiny but irregularly shaped and colored. Is there anyone out there who can give me support? I went to a dermatologist who was very non-chalant about my other moles but went back to my doctor today and she said they had to go. I'm 26 years old and can't believe this is happening to me. I've been told I don't fit the typical profile for melanoma. Dark hair and eyes, light olive skin, not very many moles and it doesn't run in my family. Please help. I'm scared out of my mind….

    Erin

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • August 7, 2015 at 3:50 am
      stars
      Participant
      Hi – it’s a shocking time, I know. I’ve had three – thankfully shallow – melanomas removed since March and it’s just upended my world, moreso mentally than physically. My recommendation is to be thankful that your melanomas were caught early, be vigilant with 3 or 6 monthly skin checks (whichever is applicable in your case) and if you’re not confident in your derm then either change up or use your GP who is more cautious. Please don’t waste too much time worrying – you are now vigilant, your drs are vigilant, you’re already thinking about sun safety/tanning beds etc, so you are all over this. In hindsight, googling helped me not one bit – so I recommend staying away from that with a few exceptions like this board.
        • August 8, 2015 at 2:26 pm
        erin123
        Participant

        Hi!

        thank you so much for your response! I am being very vigilant. To the point of paranoia. I've had a couple tiny dots pop up recently that I've never seen before. Tiny dots but now I'm scared.  How often do you do a full body check for yourself? I'm looking almost every day right now until my appt on Thurs with my GP. For me the hardest part is emotionally dealing with the thought and possibility of more wide excisions. I've never had any scars and now I feel like I've been through a meat grinder. It's really hard for me. Does anyone else feel this way?

        thanks again!

        • August 8, 2015 at 2:26 pm
        erin123
        Participant

        Hi!

        thank you so much for your response! I am being very vigilant. To the point of paranoia. I've had a couple tiny dots pop up recently that I've never seen before. Tiny dots but now I'm scared.  How often do you do a full body check for yourself? I'm looking almost every day right now until my appt on Thurs with my GP. For me the hardest part is emotionally dealing with the thought and possibility of more wide excisions. I've never had any scars and now I feel like I've been through a meat grinder. It's really hard for me. Does anyone else feel this way?

        thanks again!

        • August 8, 2015 at 3:37 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Monthly!  Any quicker than that and it is hard to notice changes.

        Take photos.  Take pictures of say — front lower leg.  Then front side leg, etc.  Then you have a reference point to know whether something is new and "ugly duckling" or new and like everything else.  I would have gone crazy without a good set of photos to keep my imagination in check, and I can't tell you the number of times I thought something was new or had changed, but when I checked the photos – it was the same.  Reality check. 

        I only remove "changing for the worst" lesions and "new unlike everything else".  New and like other lesions I leave alone.  That is from the advice of two melanoma specialists – one of whom has done a clinical study using "mole mapping" to analyze dysplastic moles.  I know most of my moles are dysplastic/atypical, but if they aren't looking worse, I leave them alone.  That's my strategy.

        Janner

        Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

        • August 8, 2015 at 3:37 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Monthly!  Any quicker than that and it is hard to notice changes.

        Take photos.  Take pictures of say — front lower leg.  Then front side leg, etc.  Then you have a reference point to know whether something is new and "ugly duckling" or new and like everything else.  I would have gone crazy without a good set of photos to keep my imagination in check, and I can't tell you the number of times I thought something was new or had changed, but when I checked the photos – it was the same.  Reality check. 

        I only remove "changing for the worst" lesions and "new unlike everything else".  New and like other lesions I leave alone.  That is from the advice of two melanoma specialists – one of whom has done a clinical study using "mole mapping" to analyze dysplastic moles.  I know most of my moles are dysplastic/atypical, but if they aren't looking worse, I leave them alone.  That's my strategy.

        Janner

        Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

        • August 8, 2015 at 4:23 pm
        erin123
        Participant

        Ok thank you that heps SO much!  I want to try to get in to see a melanoma specialist!

        I've had things for years, but after the tanning bed experience and noticing several change, now I'm worried about them all. seeing as how they can be fine for years and then turn into melanoma with the right conditions. Going to a specialist might help put my mind at ease.

        Is there anything we can do to improve our immune systems so it can fight it better?

        • August 8, 2015 at 4:23 pm
        erin123
        Participant

        Ok thank you that heps SO much!  I want to try to get in to see a melanoma specialist!

        I've had things for years, but after the tanning bed experience and noticing several change, now I'm worried about them all. seeing as how they can be fine for years and then turn into melanoma with the right conditions. Going to a specialist might help put my mind at ease.

        Is there anything we can do to improve our immune systems so it can fight it better?

        • August 8, 2015 at 4:23 pm
        erin123
        Participant

        Ok thank you that heps SO much!  I want to try to get in to see a melanoma specialist!

        I've had things for years, but after the tanning bed experience and noticing several change, now I'm worried about them all. seeing as how they can be fine for years and then turn into melanoma with the right conditions. Going to a specialist might help put my mind at ease.

        Is there anything we can do to improve our immune systems so it can fight it better?

        • August 8, 2015 at 3:37 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Monthly!  Any quicker than that and it is hard to notice changes.

        Take photos.  Take pictures of say — front lower leg.  Then front side leg, etc.  Then you have a reference point to know whether something is new and "ugly duckling" or new and like everything else.  I would have gone crazy without a good set of photos to keep my imagination in check, and I can't tell you the number of times I thought something was new or had changed, but when I checked the photos – it was the same.  Reality check. 

        I only remove "changing for the worst" lesions and "new unlike everything else".  New and like other lesions I leave alone.  That is from the advice of two melanoma specialists – one of whom has done a clinical study using "mole mapping" to analyze dysplastic moles.  I know most of my moles are dysplastic/atypical, but if they aren't looking worse, I leave them alone.  That's my strategy.

        Janner

        Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

        • August 27, 2015 at 3:24 pm
        AJHP
        Participant

        Hey! I am new to this too, just logged on for the first time today. i just found out I have stage 1A melanoma 3 days ago and am 25 years old! Super scary time. I am in the same boat as you, I am studying each of my moles (probably hundreds total) with paranoid suspician. I am worried I could have melanomas elsewhere on my body that we haven;t even found yet! Keep us updated on your appointments! Wishing you the best of luck!

        • August 27, 2015 at 3:24 pm
        AJHP
        Participant

        Hey! I am new to this too, just logged on for the first time today. i just found out I have stage 1A melanoma 3 days ago and am 25 years old! Super scary time. I am in the same boat as you, I am studying each of my moles (probably hundreds total) with paranoid suspician. I am worried I could have melanomas elsewhere on my body that we haven;t even found yet! Keep us updated on your appointments! Wishing you the best of luck!

        • August 27, 2015 at 3:24 pm
        AJHP
        Participant

        Hey! I am new to this too, just logged on for the first time today. i just found out I have stage 1A melanoma 3 days ago and am 25 years old! Super scary time. I am in the same boat as you, I am studying each of my moles (probably hundreds total) with paranoid suspician. I am worried I could have melanomas elsewhere on my body that we haven;t even found yet! Keep us updated on your appointments! Wishing you the best of luck!

        • August 8, 2015 at 2:26 pm
        erin123
        Participant

        Hi!

        thank you so much for your response! I am being very vigilant. To the point of paranoia. I've had a couple tiny dots pop up recently that I've never seen before. Tiny dots but now I'm scared.  How often do you do a full body check for yourself? I'm looking almost every day right now until my appt on Thurs with my GP. For me the hardest part is emotionally dealing with the thought and possibility of more wide excisions. I've never had any scars and now I feel like I've been through a meat grinder. It's really hard for me. Does anyone else feel this way?

        thanks again!

      • August 7, 2015 at 3:50 am
      stars
      Participant
      Hi – it’s a shocking time, I know. I’ve had three – thankfully shallow – melanomas removed since March and it’s just upended my world, moreso mentally than physically. My recommendation is to be thankful that your melanomas were caught early, be vigilant with 3 or 6 monthly skin checks (whichever is applicable in your case) and if you’re not confident in your derm then either change up or use your GP who is more cautious. Please don’t waste too much time worrying – you are now vigilant, your drs are vigilant, you’re already thinking about sun safety/tanning beds etc, so you are all over this. In hindsight, googling helped me not one bit – so I recommend staying away from that with a few exceptions like this board.
      • August 7, 2015 at 3:50 am
      stars
      Participant
      Hi – it’s a shocking time, I know. I’ve had three – thankfully shallow – melanomas removed since March and it’s just upended my world, moreso mentally than physically. My recommendation is to be thankful that your melanomas were caught early, be vigilant with 3 or 6 monthly skin checks (whichever is applicable in your case) and if you’re not confident in your derm then either change up or use your GP who is more cautious. Please don’t waste too much time worrying – you are now vigilant, your drs are vigilant, you’re already thinking about sun safety/tanning beds etc, so you are all over this. In hindsight, googling helped me not one bit – so I recommend staying away from that with a few exceptions like this board.
      • August 7, 2015 at 3:50 am
      stars
      Participant
      Hi – it’s a shocking time, I know. I’ve had three – thankfully shallow – melanomas removed since March and it’s just upended my world, moreso mentally than physically. My recommendation is to be thankful that your melanomas were caught early, be vigilant with 3 or 6 monthly skin checks (whichever is applicable in your case) and if you’re not confident in your derm then either change up or use your GP who is more cautious. Please don’t waste too much time worrying – you are now vigilant, your drs are vigilant, you’re already thinking about sun safety/tanning beds etc, so you are all over this. In hindsight, googling helped me not one bit – so I recommend staying away from that with a few exceptions like this board.
      • August 7, 2015 at 3:50 am
      stars
      Participant
      Hi – it’s a shocking time, I know. I’ve had three – thankfully shallow – melanomas removed since March and it’s just upended my world, moreso mentally than physically. My recommendation is to be thankful that your melanomas were caught early, be vigilant with 3 or 6 monthly skin checks (whichever is applicable in your case) and if you’re not confident in your derm then either change up or use your GP who is more cautious. Please don’t waste too much time worrying – you are now vigilant, your drs are vigilant, you’re already thinking about sun safety/tanning beds etc, so you are all over this. In hindsight, googling helped me not one bit – so I recommend staying away from that with a few exceptions like this board.
      • August 7, 2015 at 3:50 am
      stars
      Participant
      Hi – it’s a shocking time, I know. I’ve had three – thankfully shallow – melanomas removed since March and it’s just upended my world, moreso mentally than physically. My recommendation is to be thankful that your melanomas were caught early, be vigilant with 3 or 6 monthly skin checks (whichever is applicable in your case) and if you’re not confident in your derm then either change up or use your GP who is more cautious. Please don’t waste too much time worrying – you are now vigilant, your drs are vigilant, you’re already thinking about sun safety/tanning beds etc, so you are all over this. In hindsight, googling helped me not one bit – so I recommend staying away from that with a few exceptions like this board.
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