Diagnosed yesterday and only 22!
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Diagnosed yesterday and only 22!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Diagnosed yesterday and only 22!

  • Post
    • October 18, 2014 at 1:00 pm
    ashlee12
    Participant

    So yesterday i was told i have melanoma… im only 22 and i feel that my life is over. next year i am getting married and i almost just wanna call it off i feel like im dying..

     

     

    They told me that it was caught super early and im not even on a scale yet… they said its just on the surface. 

     

     i am getting it fully removed on the 28th..  im scared tho that its deeper then the thought or has spread in my body.. im very new here and lost and sad 

     

     

     

     

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 18, 2014 at 2:14 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Get a copy of your pathology report to confirm, but it sounds like this is stage 0 (in situ).  Yes, it is a shock, but once you've had the surgery to remove additional margins, there is no reason to not go living your life as normal as possible.  Stage 0 has nearly a 100% cure rate.  Not a guarantee, but as good as you can get with cancer.  Since melanoma in situ is totally confined to the epidermis, and biopsies tend to go deeper the just the surface, the likelihood of finding melanoma deeper is really not there.  If the biopsy had a clean deep margin (extremely likely), then the wide excision is just an insurance policy.

      Everyone thinks they are too young to get cancer, but melanoma is the most common cancer for women in their 20s.  You are not alone..  I was 29 when originally diagnosed with a stage 1 lesion and I'm still here 22 years later.  Practice sun safety.  No tanning beds!  Watch for moles that change and LIVE LIFE!  No need to cancel anything as this is a bump in the road!

       

        • October 18, 2014 at 4:25 pm
        tbmorgan
        Participant

        Please do not cancel anything.  My son was diagnosed with melanoma within 3 weeks of birth.  He had a brain tumor and many small spots all over his body.  My sister also had two melanoma spots found in her early twenties that were a little more serious than what you are describing.  She had two surgeries at Duke to remove them and has been NED for more than 10 years.  She is 36, married, and has a beautfiul 6 year old girl.

        Stay vigilant and live your life.  Our son is now 14 months old and we continue to fight on.  He had the best 1 year old birthday party and we look forward to Trick or Treating and Christmas.  We live day to day.

        All the best to you and blessings on your wedding,

         

        Tobin

        • October 18, 2014 at 4:25 pm
        tbmorgan
        Participant

        Please do not cancel anything.  My son was diagnosed with melanoma within 3 weeks of birth.  He had a brain tumor and many small spots all over his body.  My sister also had two melanoma spots found in her early twenties that were a little more serious than what you are describing.  She had two surgeries at Duke to remove them and has been NED for more than 10 years.  She is 36, married, and has a beautfiul 6 year old girl.

        Stay vigilant and live your life.  Our son is now 14 months old and we continue to fight on.  He had the best 1 year old birthday party and we look forward to Trick or Treating and Christmas.  We live day to day.

        All the best to you and blessings on your wedding,

         

        Tobin

        • October 18, 2014 at 4:25 pm
        tbmorgan
        Participant

        Please do not cancel anything.  My son was diagnosed with melanoma within 3 weeks of birth.  He had a brain tumor and many small spots all over his body.  My sister also had two melanoma spots found in her early twenties that were a little more serious than what you are describing.  She had two surgeries at Duke to remove them and has been NED for more than 10 years.  She is 36, married, and has a beautfiul 6 year old girl.

        Stay vigilant and live your life.  Our son is now 14 months old and we continue to fight on.  He had the best 1 year old birthday party and we look forward to Trick or Treating and Christmas.  We live day to day.

        All the best to you and blessings on your wedding,

         

        Tobin

      • October 18, 2014 at 2:14 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Get a copy of your pathology report to confirm, but it sounds like this is stage 0 (in situ).  Yes, it is a shock, but once you've had the surgery to remove additional margins, there is no reason to not go living your life as normal as possible.  Stage 0 has nearly a 100% cure rate.  Not a guarantee, but as good as you can get with cancer.  Since melanoma in situ is totally confined to the epidermis, and biopsies tend to go deeper the just the surface, the likelihood of finding melanoma deeper is really not there.  If the biopsy had a clean deep margin (extremely likely), then the wide excision is just an insurance policy.

      Everyone thinks they are too young to get cancer, but melanoma is the most common cancer for women in their 20s.  You are not alone..  I was 29 when originally diagnosed with a stage 1 lesion and I'm still here 22 years later.  Practice sun safety.  No tanning beds!  Watch for moles that change and LIVE LIFE!  No need to cancel anything as this is a bump in the road!

       

      • October 18, 2014 at 2:14 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Get a copy of your pathology report to confirm, but it sounds like this is stage 0 (in situ).  Yes, it is a shock, but once you've had the surgery to remove additional margins, there is no reason to not go living your life as normal as possible.  Stage 0 has nearly a 100% cure rate.  Not a guarantee, but as good as you can get with cancer.  Since melanoma in situ is totally confined to the epidermis, and biopsies tend to go deeper the just the surface, the likelihood of finding melanoma deeper is really not there.  If the biopsy had a clean deep margin (extremely likely), then the wide excision is just an insurance policy.

      Everyone thinks they are too young to get cancer, but melanoma is the most common cancer for women in their 20s.  You are not alone..  I was 29 when originally diagnosed with a stage 1 lesion and I'm still here 22 years later.  Practice sun safety.  No tanning beds!  Watch for moles that change and LIVE LIFE!  No need to cancel anything as this is a bump in the road!

       

      • October 22, 2014 at 10:58 pm
      brittanyx
      Participant

      Hi Ashlee, I responded to your other post but not sure if you saw it. I'm 19 and diagnosed at stage 3. I was so scared at first. At times I still am. But if you have to put your trust into your doctors. Lean on the people in your life that are supporting you. You will get through this. Don't let this stop you from living your life. You are young. If you ever need someone to talk to you can message me!

      • October 22, 2014 at 10:58 pm
      brittanyx
      Participant

      Hi Ashlee, I responded to your other post but not sure if you saw it. I'm 19 and diagnosed at stage 3. I was so scared at first. At times I still am. But if you have to put your trust into your doctors. Lean on the people in your life that are supporting you. You will get through this. Don't let this stop you from living your life. You are young. If you ever need someone to talk to you can message me!

      • October 22, 2014 at 10:58 pm
      brittanyx
      Participant

      Hi Ashlee, I responded to your other post but not sure if you saw it. I'm 19 and diagnosed at stage 3. I was so scared at first. At times I still am. But if you have to put your trust into your doctors. Lean on the people in your life that are supporting you. You will get through this. Don't let this stop you from living your life. You are young. If you ever need someone to talk to you can message me!

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