A dumb question
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A dumb question

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › A dumb question

  • Post
    • January 30, 2012 at 9:25 pm
    sedona
    Participant

    Well here goes, I hope I do this right.

    I had a mole removed  on my shoulder just over 3 years ago. The diagnosis was IIa. Am I cured or do I have cancer? 

    Well here goes, I hope I do this right.

    I had a mole removed  on my shoulder just over 3 years ago. The diagnosis was IIa. Am I cured or do I have cancer? 

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  • Replies
      • January 30, 2012 at 10:09 pm
      lhaley
      Participant

      There are no dumb questions!

      You are considered NED.  No evidence of disease.  That means that as of this moment in time there's no evidence.  Melanoma can just sit and wait for years with your own immune system keeping it away. It might never come back, it might.  

      I was stage 1A in 1979 and in 06 it did come back stage IV.  During that time I had a child, a carreer, a full life….. Don't let it take over your life.   Use this as a reason to go out there and enjoy everymoment.

      Linda

        • January 31, 2012 at 2:58 am
        Webbie73
        Participant
        Another dumb question…how does stage 1a turn into lV? Didn’t it show up as stage l, ll or lll in that time period?This is what scares me about melanoma.
        • January 31, 2012 at 3:10 am
        lhaley
        Participant

        You are either stage 1 or stage 2, that would be given with the pathology with the mole (could be also start staged higher immediately).   Mine went from the 1A to a tumor that was deep under the scar line.   Stage 3 is usually either a transit or in a lymph node.    Mine stayed in the blood for the first 3 years of being stage IV.    Then went to they lymph nodes and now to the brain.  My case is not normal.  

        Remember that many of us on this site are fighting. There are many out there living their life and don't see melanoma bother them again.

        • January 31, 2012 at 3:10 am
        lhaley
        Participant

        You are either stage 1 or stage 2, that would be given with the pathology with the mole (could be also start staged higher immediately).   Mine went from the 1A to a tumor that was deep under the scar line.   Stage 3 is usually either a transit or in a lymph node.    Mine stayed in the blood for the first 3 years of being stage IV.    Then went to they lymph nodes and now to the brain.  My case is not normal.  

        Remember that many of us on this site are fighting. There are many out there living their life and don't see melanoma bother them again.

        • January 31, 2012 at 3:10 am
        lhaley
        Participant

        You are either stage 1 or stage 2, that would be given with the pathology with the mole (could be also start staged higher immediately).   Mine went from the 1A to a tumor that was deep under the scar line.   Stage 3 is usually either a transit or in a lymph node.    Mine stayed in the blood for the first 3 years of being stage IV.    Then went to they lymph nodes and now to the brain.  My case is not normal.  

        Remember that many of us on this site are fighting. There are many out there living their life and don't see melanoma bother them again.

        • January 31, 2012 at 2:58 am
        Webbie73
        Participant
        Another dumb question…how does stage 1a turn into lV? Didn’t it show up as stage l, ll or lll in that time period?This is what scares me about melanoma.
        • January 31, 2012 at 2:58 am
        Webbie73
        Participant
        Another dumb question…how does stage 1a turn into lV? Didn’t it show up as stage l, ll or lll in that time period?This is what scares me about melanoma.
        • January 31, 2012 at 5:02 pm
        sedona
        Participant

        But what answer do you give on a questionaire that asks "do you have cancer"? Do you say yes or no?

        I'm of the opinion that it was a one time deal and I'll be fine forever so I live my life as if it never happened but my Dr. worries about it and hounds me to see an oncologist and get pet scans.

        • January 31, 2012 at 5:02 pm
        sedona
        Participant

        But what answer do you give on a questionaire that asks "do you have cancer"? Do you say yes or no?

        I'm of the opinion that it was a one time deal and I'll be fine forever so I live my life as if it never happened but my Dr. worries about it and hounds me to see an oncologist and get pet scans.

        • January 31, 2012 at 5:02 pm
        sedona
        Participant

        But what answer do you give on a questionaire that asks "do you have cancer"? Do you say yes or no?

        I'm of the opinion that it was a one time deal and I'll be fine forever so I live my life as if it never happened but my Dr. worries about it and hounds me to see an oncologist and get pet scans.

      • January 30, 2012 at 10:09 pm
      lhaley
      Participant

      There are no dumb questions!

      You are considered NED.  No evidence of disease.  That means that as of this moment in time there's no evidence.  Melanoma can just sit and wait for years with your own immune system keeping it away. It might never come back, it might.  

      I was stage 1A in 1979 and in 06 it did come back stage IV.  During that time I had a child, a carreer, a full life….. Don't let it take over your life.   Use this as a reason to go out there and enjoy everymoment.

      Linda

      • January 30, 2012 at 10:09 pm
      lhaley
      Participant

      There are no dumb questions!

      You are considered NED.  No evidence of disease.  That means that as of this moment in time there's no evidence.  Melanoma can just sit and wait for years with your own immune system keeping it away. It might never come back, it might.  

      I was stage 1A in 1979 and in 06 it did come back stage IV.  During that time I had a child, a carreer, a full life….. Don't let it take over your life.   Use this as a reason to go out there and enjoy everymoment.

      Linda

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