sorry last post went weird… Read this one
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sorry last post went weird… Read this one

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › sorry last post went weird… Read this one

  • Post
    • January 4, 2015 at 10:33 pm
    ashlee12
    Participant

    Since being diagnosed with melanoma that was insitu.. Well it wasn't even stage 0 yet but on the path to being there..



    In just curious I have done my research they send all biopsys and wle to a dermatologist which I heard is a good thing.. So how good of a chance is it that they missed something or could miss cells that are bad after the wle?





    And secondly I know I'm at a greater risk for developing melanoma again .. I already am diagnosed with a anxiety disorder so I do stress everyday about this.. I do have a couple moles that I am keeping my eyes on .. I have shown my derm and surgeon some of them which they think to be no concern.. Well I'm still keeping my eyes on them they have not changed in a couple months… So is it safe to say I'm okay to show him at my febuRay follow up?

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • January 4, 2015 at 11:58 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      If there is pigment regrowth in your scar, talk to your derm.  Other than that, the WLE report should indicate whether the margins appeared clear.  This isn't a 100% guarantee, but pretty good especially if something isn't really melanoma.

      As for your other moles, if they're not changing, then I wouldn't biopsy them.  CHANGE is the #1 factor.  I've had three primaries which I found myself, and all had changed.  I see no reason to remove moles that have been stable for years.  I don't remove new moles unless they look different from everything else I have.  Remember, you are looking for the ugly duckling.  It's possible a mole can stay benign or even atypical forever and NEVER change for the worse.  If fact, that's the most likely scenario.  A severely atypical mole never HAS to change to melanoma, you know. 

        • January 5, 2015 at 1:44 am
        ashlee12
        Participant

        If you don't mind me asking when you found your three primaries what did they look like? What stage were they?

        • January 5, 2015 at 4:36 am
        Janner
        Participant

        Click on my name to read my profile.  Each primary looked different.  Each had changed. Two stage 1b and one in situ.  22 years out.

        • January 5, 2015 at 4:36 am
        Janner
        Participant

        Click on my name to read my profile.  Each primary looked different.  Each had changed. Two stage 1b and one in situ.  22 years out.

        • January 5, 2015 at 4:36 am
        Janner
        Participant

        Click on my name to read my profile.  Each primary looked different.  Each had changed. Two stage 1b and one in situ.  22 years out.

        • January 5, 2015 at 1:44 am
        ashlee12
        Participant

        If you don't mind me asking when you found your three primaries what did they look like? What stage were they?

        • January 5, 2015 at 1:44 am
        ashlee12
        Participant

        If you don't mind me asking when you found your three primaries what did they look like? What stage were they?

      • January 4, 2015 at 11:58 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      If there is pigment regrowth in your scar, talk to your derm.  Other than that, the WLE report should indicate whether the margins appeared clear.  This isn't a 100% guarantee, but pretty good especially if something isn't really melanoma.

      As for your other moles, if they're not changing, then I wouldn't biopsy them.  CHANGE is the #1 factor.  I've had three primaries which I found myself, and all had changed.  I see no reason to remove moles that have been stable for years.  I don't remove new moles unless they look different from everything else I have.  Remember, you are looking for the ugly duckling.  It's possible a mole can stay benign or even atypical forever and NEVER change for the worse.  If fact, that's the most likely scenario.  A severely atypical mole never HAS to change to melanoma, you know. 

      • January 4, 2015 at 11:58 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      If there is pigment regrowth in your scar, talk to your derm.  Other than that, the WLE report should indicate whether the margins appeared clear.  This isn't a 100% guarantee, but pretty good especially if something isn't really melanoma.

      As for your other moles, if they're not changing, then I wouldn't biopsy them.  CHANGE is the #1 factor.  I've had three primaries which I found myself, and all had changed.  I see no reason to remove moles that have been stable for years.  I don't remove new moles unless they look different from everything else I have.  Remember, you are looking for the ugly duckling.  It's possible a mole can stay benign or even atypical forever and NEVER change for the worse.  If fact, that's the most likely scenario.  A severely atypical mole never HAS to change to melanoma, you know. 

      • January 5, 2015 at 10:20 am
      DZnDef
      Participant

      Ashlee – you mention that you have an anxiety disorder.  Have you found a successful way to get your anxiety under control overall (apart from melonoma)?  I ask because stress itself is an immunosuppresant and you want your immune system functioning at peak levels (the better to avoid any cancers).  Getting your anxiety under control may be the best thing you can do for your health right now.  Meditation, yoga, valerian root tea, whatever works for you, but please do find something that works for you.

      Best of luck to you

      • January 5, 2015 at 10:20 am
      DZnDef
      Participant

      Ashlee – you mention that you have an anxiety disorder.  Have you found a successful way to get your anxiety under control overall (apart from melonoma)?  I ask because stress itself is an immunosuppresant and you want your immune system functioning at peak levels (the better to avoid any cancers).  Getting your anxiety under control may be the best thing you can do for your health right now.  Meditation, yoga, valerian root tea, whatever works for you, but please do find something that works for you.

      Best of luck to you

        • January 5, 2015 at 12:33 pm
        ashlee12
        Participant

        I did have my anxiety pretty good under control right before this happened… It's hard being a hypochondriac and actually having something wrong that could possibly kill you. So I'm trying to reajust although that's very hard. I think about it everyday and worry everyday 

        • January 5, 2015 at 12:33 pm
        ashlee12
        Participant

        I did have my anxiety pretty good under control right before this happened… It's hard being a hypochondriac and actually having something wrong that could possibly kill you. So I'm trying to reajust although that's very hard. I think about it everyday and worry everyday 

        • January 5, 2015 at 2:07 pm
        JC
        Participant

         For anxiety, mindful meditation and counseling with cognitive behavior therapy is very helpful.

        • January 5, 2015 at 2:07 pm
        JC
        Participant

         For anxiety, mindful meditation and counseling with cognitive behavior therapy is very helpful.

        • January 5, 2015 at 2:07 pm
        JC
        Participant

         For anxiety, mindful meditation and counseling with cognitive behavior therapy is very helpful.

        • January 6, 2015 at 12:51 am
        DZnDef
        Participant

        Yes, Ashlee, I have to laugh at the concept.  Years ago I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease and was told that stress exacerbated the problem and would make me deaf.  So the message I heard was "don't stress or you'll go deaf!"  So I completely stressed out and I am now completely deaf.  Then this melanoma thing came along and I realized I can't kid around anymore and absolutely need to get the stress under control.  I believe I have made huge progress in this area this time around.  But I had to flip my thinking upside down to do it.

        • January 6, 2015 at 12:51 am
        DZnDef
        Participant

        Yes, Ashlee, I have to laugh at the concept.  Years ago I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease and was told that stress exacerbated the problem and would make me deaf.  So the message I heard was "don't stress or you'll go deaf!"  So I completely stressed out and I am now completely deaf.  Then this melanoma thing came along and I realized I can't kid around anymore and absolutely need to get the stress under control.  I believe I have made huge progress in this area this time around.  But I had to flip my thinking upside down to do it.

        • January 6, 2015 at 12:51 am
        DZnDef
        Participant

        Yes, Ashlee, I have to laugh at the concept.  Years ago I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease and was told that stress exacerbated the problem and would make me deaf.  So the message I heard was "don't stress or you'll go deaf!"  So I completely stressed out and I am now completely deaf.  Then this melanoma thing came along and I realized I can't kid around anymore and absolutely need to get the stress under control.  I believe I have made huge progress in this area this time around.  But I had to flip my thinking upside down to do it.

        • January 5, 2015 at 12:33 pm
        ashlee12
        Participant

        I did have my anxiety pretty good under control right before this happened… It's hard being a hypochondriac and actually having something wrong that could possibly kill you. So I'm trying to reajust although that's very hard. I think about it everyday and worry everyday 

      • January 5, 2015 at 10:20 am
      DZnDef
      Participant

      Ashlee – you mention that you have an anxiety disorder.  Have you found a successful way to get your anxiety under control overall (apart from melonoma)?  I ask because stress itself is an immunosuppresant and you want your immune system functioning at peak levels (the better to avoid any cancers).  Getting your anxiety under control may be the best thing you can do for your health right now.  Meditation, yoga, valerian root tea, whatever works for you, but please do find something that works for you.

      Best of luck to you

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