› Forums › General Melanoma Community › 15 weeks pregnant and terrified
- This topic has 6 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 10 months ago by
AshleyS.
- Post
-
- February 8, 2017 at 11:06 am
I'm not sure what to expect from posting this, but felt compelled to share what I'm going through if only for the cathartic act of writing it down somewhere.
This past December, at 6 weeks pregnant, I went to the dermatologist to have a small pink spot (what I thought was a pimple or ingrown hair) looked at. The derm suggested it may be cancerous, but that if it were, it would not be melanoma given its appearance. None the less, he attempted to remove the whole thing.
Five and a half weeks later (yes, that is how long the lab results took), I got a call from him, saying it was cancer. I asked what kind, and nearly dropped the phone when he said melanoma. Apparently, I am one of those rare people with non-pigmented melanoma.
I went in that day to discuss the pathology report. Breslow depth of 0.8mm, clark level II-III, no ulceration, no mitosis. T1a, based on the available information. They weren't sure, however, if they had truly removed all of it with the initial biopsy.
He sent me on my way with his recommendation for the WLE, as well as an ultrasound of the nearby lymph nodes in my groin.
Terrified, I did the ultrasound – it came back clear. Then, the WLE. I did not have the SLNB at the time, as it was not recommended based on my initial staging (but now I'm wondering if I should have, especially with the pregnancy!)
Now, we are still waiting for the results of the WLE report. I am 15 weeks pregnant, and reading about how much more dangerous this stuff can be while pregnant (though admittedly, there seems to be a great deal of disagreement).
I am in shock, and terrified for myself and this poor thing growing inside me. I know that T1a should be uplifting, but we still don't have the full lab results, and I've read that an ultrasound can have a 40% false negative rate.
How do you live with the daily fear that this is spreading and they simply haven't seen it yet? How do you bring a child into this world, when you aren't sure if you'll be around to take care of the little one? How do ensure you catch it early if it does spread to the nodes, so you don't wake up one day with tumors all over when you were supposedly T1a?
I feel so lost and angry and scared. This is my first pregnancy, and it is nothing like what I imagined.
- Replies
-
-
- February 8, 2017 at 11:40 am
It's such a scary time, doubly so when you are pregnant. But you seem to have a thin early-stage melanoma that is unlikely to cause you any further trouble – based on what you've said (except the part where they might not have got it all) I don't think you would need a SLNB. Just hang in there, it gets easier over time, in my experience it's time that makes the difference. Try to keep in mind that you are most likely now totally free of melanoma and should be enjoying a normal, healthy pregnancy. It's a challenge, but it's most likely true. All the best!
-
- February 8, 2017 at 11:40 am
It's such a scary time, doubly so when you are pregnant. But you seem to have a thin early-stage melanoma that is unlikely to cause you any further trouble – based on what you've said (except the part where they might not have got it all) I don't think you would need a SLNB. Just hang in there, it gets easier over time, in my experience it's time that makes the difference. Try to keep in mind that you are most likely now totally free of melanoma and should be enjoying a normal, healthy pregnancy. It's a challenge, but it's most likely true. All the best!
-
- February 8, 2017 at 11:40 am
It's such a scary time, doubly so when you are pregnant. But you seem to have a thin early-stage melanoma that is unlikely to cause you any further trouble – based on what you've said (except the part where they might not have got it all) I don't think you would need a SLNB. Just hang in there, it gets easier over time, in my experience it's time that makes the difference. Try to keep in mind that you are most likely now totally free of melanoma and should be enjoying a normal, healthy pregnancy. It's a challenge, but it's most likely true. All the best!
-
- February 8, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Hi anon,
I'm writing to give support and not to scare you. I found out I had advanced melanoma during my pregnancy with my second child. You are right, there isn't much for information concerning pregnancy and melanoma and even less for research. Since you are pregnant, I'd consider finding a doctor that takes your diagnosis more seriously. It shouldn't take that long to get info. I live in rural North Dakota and had to do just that. Also, be watchful. Be sure to report any skin/health changes to your doc. Remember, your melanoma was very thin, so the statistics are in your favor. Be your own advocate!
Please feel free to contact me if you need an ear.
Sincerely,
Ashley
-
- February 8, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Hi anon,
I'm writing to give support and not to scare you. I found out I had advanced melanoma during my pregnancy with my second child. You are right, there isn't much for information concerning pregnancy and melanoma and even less for research. Since you are pregnant, I'd consider finding a doctor that takes your diagnosis more seriously. It shouldn't take that long to get info. I live in rural North Dakota and had to do just that. Also, be watchful. Be sure to report any skin/health changes to your doc. Remember, your melanoma was very thin, so the statistics are in your favor. Be your own advocate!
Please feel free to contact me if you need an ear.
Sincerely,
Ashley
-
- February 8, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Hi anon,
I'm writing to give support and not to scare you. I found out I had advanced melanoma during my pregnancy with my second child. You are right, there isn't much for information concerning pregnancy and melanoma and even less for research. Since you are pregnant, I'd consider finding a doctor that takes your diagnosis more seriously. It shouldn't take that long to get info. I live in rural North Dakota and had to do just that. Also, be watchful. Be sure to report any skin/health changes to your doc. Remember, your melanoma was very thin, so the statistics are in your favor. Be your own advocate!
Please feel free to contact me if you need an ear.
Sincerely,
Ashley
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.