A little paranoid after having a melanoma removed.

I think what you're feeling is absolutely normal.  I felt the same way, every spot looked suspicious to me.  A CT scan would not really be clinically called for with your pathology (unless you were having symptoms), it would not show microscopic disease anyway, and it's a lot of radiation so balance the risk for the benefit.  Having said that, sometimes getting a baseline is not a terrible idea.  They are also expensive, and insurance may not cover it.

I think what you're feeling is absolutely normal.  I felt the same way, every spot looked suspicious to me.  A CT scan would not really be clinically called for with your pathology (unless you were having symptoms), it would not show microscopic disease anyway, and it's a lot of radiation so balance the risk for the benefit.  Having said that, sometimes getting a baseline is not a terrible idea.  They are also expensive, and insurance may not cover it.

I think what you're feeling is absolutely normal.  I felt the same way, every spot looked suspicious to me.  A CT scan would not really be clinically called for with your pathology (unless you were having symptoms), it would not show microscopic disease anyway, and it's a lot of radiation so balance the risk for the benefit.  Having said that, sometimes getting a baseline is not a terrible idea.  They are also expensive, and insurance may not cover it.

I agree. Your reaction is quite normal. After a scare like that it's almost impossible not to put yourself under a magnifying glass and wonder and worry about every little ache and pain and bump and bruise. Having a parent in the medical profession can make things worse because you are so used to getting immediate and, if necessary, expert medical attention for every possible ailment.

Both of my husband's parents were physicians as were several uncles and cousins. When he was diagnosed with melanoma in situ he went through a very anxious period for a year or so. But eventually, when nothing bad happened he started to relax again. He still remains vigilant, uses sunscreen and gets frequent skin checks but he takes it all in stride now. Trust that with time your fear will recede, too. 

I agree. Your reaction is quite normal. After a scare like that it's almost impossible not to put yourself under a magnifying glass and wonder and worry about every little ache and pain and bump and bruise. Having a parent in the medical profession can make things worse because you are so used to getting immediate and, if necessary, expert medical attention for every possible ailment.

Both of my husband's parents were physicians as were several uncles and cousins. When he was diagnosed with melanoma in situ he went through a very anxious period for a year or so. But eventually, when nothing bad happened he started to relax again. He still remains vigilant, uses sunscreen and gets frequent skin checks but he takes it all in stride now. Trust that with time your fear will recede, too. 

I agree. Your reaction is quite normal. After a scare like that it's almost impossible not to put yourself under a magnifying glass and wonder and worry about every little ache and pain and bump and bruise. Having a parent in the medical profession can make things worse because you are so used to getting immediate and, if necessary, expert medical attention for every possible ailment.

Both of my husband's parents were physicians as were several uncles and cousins. When he was diagnosed with melanoma in situ he went through a very anxious period for a year or so. But eventually, when nothing bad happened he started to relax again. He still remains vigilant, uses sunscreen and gets frequent skin checks but he takes it all in stride now. Trust that with time your fear will recede, too. 

Hey Matt,

I understand your paranoia… I am like that now with every suspicious mole I have on my body. I think the best thing you can do now is just get regular check ups with your dermatologist and be vigilant with the sunscreen etc.

Best of luck,

Samuel

Hey Matt,

I understand your paranoia… I am like that now with every suspicious mole I have on my body. I think the best thing you can do now is just get regular check ups with your dermatologist and be vigilant with the sunscreen etc.

Best of luck,

Samuel

Hey Matt,

I understand your paranoia… I am like that now with every suspicious mole I have on my body. I think the best thing you can do now is just get regular check ups with your dermatologist and be vigilant with the sunscreen etc.

Best of luck,

Samuel

Matt,

   My husband has done a vaccine trial, and now we're in the "watch and wait" stage. It's frustrating, no question, not being able to say this is the end of it. I think the best thing that gives me comfort (and maybe him as well) is that he is followed closely by a dermatologist and an oncologist every few months, so if he has a recurrence we are most likely to find it early enough to treat with success (we hope). Go to your follow-up appointments religiously, watch out for anything suspicious going on, cover up in the sun, and enjoy life.

   You might want to get in touch with Janner about her Stage I group – that might be a good place for you to connect with others who caught their melanomas early. Your situation is probably more similar to theirs than those of us here dealing with high-risk or advanced disease.

   Wishing you the best —

~Hazel

Matt,

   My husband has done a vaccine trial, and now we're in the "watch and wait" stage. It's frustrating, no question, not being able to say this is the end of it. I think the best thing that gives me comfort (and maybe him as well) is that he is followed closely by a dermatologist and an oncologist every few months, so if he has a recurrence we are most likely to find it early enough to treat with success (we hope). Go to your follow-up appointments religiously, watch out for anything suspicious going on, cover up in the sun, and enjoy life.

   You might want to get in touch with Janner about her Stage I group – that might be a good place for you to connect with others who caught their melanomas early. Your situation is probably more similar to theirs than those of us here dealing with high-risk or advanced disease.

   Wishing you the best —

~Hazel

Matt,

   My husband has done a vaccine trial, and now we're in the "watch and wait" stage. It's frustrating, no question, not being able to say this is the end of it. I think the best thing that gives me comfort (and maybe him as well) is that he is followed closely by a dermatologist and an oncologist every few months, so if he has a recurrence we are most likely to find it early enough to treat with success (we hope). Go to your follow-up appointments religiously, watch out for anything suspicious going on, cover up in the sun, and enjoy life.

   You might want to get in touch with Janner about her Stage I group – that might be a good place for you to connect with others who caught their melanomas early. Your situation is probably more similar to theirs than those of us here dealing with high-risk or advanced disease.

   Wishing you the best —

~Hazel

It's easy and normal to be paranoid – especially in your first year.  Scans do not show microscopic disease and it is extremely unlikely your very early lesion has spread anywhere. Scans at this stage mostly show benign beasties (false positives)… and then those must be checked out 'just in case'.  Typically means more scans, more worries, and more anxiety for absolutely no cancer.   "Be vigilant, not paranoid".  Scans for your stage are in the paranoid category unless you have serious symptoms,   😉  As for aches and pains, here's what I suggest you do.  Think of the ache or pain and think if it is something you would have seen your doctor about PRIOR to melanoma.  Chances are, you'll say no.  I kind of follow a two week rule.  If something shows up on my skin, or something is bothering me that's a bit out of the ordinary, I give myself two weeks.  If it isn't showing improvement or is getting worse, time for a doctor.  But I try to give my body a chance to take care of normal stuff.  You'd be surprised at what will go away on its own if you let it!

Hang in there,

Janner

It's easy and normal to be paranoid – especially in your first year.  Scans do not show microscopic disease and it is extremely unlikely your very early lesion has spread anywhere. Scans at this stage mostly show benign beasties (false positives)… and then those must be checked out 'just in case'.  Typically means more scans, more worries, and more anxiety for absolutely no cancer.   "Be vigilant, not paranoid".  Scans for your stage are in the paranoid category unless you have serious symptoms,   😉  As for aches and pains, here's what I suggest you do.  Think of the ache or pain and think if it is something you would have seen your doctor about PRIOR to melanoma.  Chances are, you'll say no.  I kind of follow a two week rule.  If something shows up on my skin, or something is bothering me that's a bit out of the ordinary, I give myself two weeks.  If it isn't showing improvement or is getting worse, time for a doctor.  But I try to give my body a chance to take care of normal stuff.  You'd be surprised at what will go away on its own if you let it!

Hang in there,

Janner

It's easy and normal to be paranoid – especially in your first year.  Scans do not show microscopic disease and it is extremely unlikely your very early lesion has spread anywhere. Scans at this stage mostly show benign beasties (false positives)… and then those must be checked out 'just in case'.  Typically means more scans, more worries, and more anxiety for absolutely no cancer.   "Be vigilant, not paranoid".  Scans for your stage are in the paranoid category unless you have serious symptoms,   😉  As for aches and pains, here's what I suggest you do.  Think of the ache or pain and think if it is something you would have seen your doctor about PRIOR to melanoma.  Chances are, you'll say no.  I kind of follow a two week rule.  If something shows up on my skin, or something is bothering me that's a bit out of the ordinary, I give myself two weeks.  If it isn't showing improvement or is getting worse, time for a doctor.  But I try to give my body a chance to take care of normal stuff.  You'd be surprised at what will go away on its own if you let it!

Hang in there,

Janner

Matt, bet a PET scan would make you even  more paranoid!  PET scans do not show cancer.  PET scans show Glucose collecting locations.  Have many false positives and false negatives.  I know my knee and ankle were smashed up in a wreck in Germany.  I know my neck was broken in a car wreck in the US.  I know I have a steel plate holding a broken arm together.  I know I have had oral surgery. I know my neck was broken by a careless driver in the US.  Glucose collects in all those locations and others as well as in tumors.  PET scans really just show pointers to be further examined, i.e.. starting, points.  PET's do not give exact measurements of suspect tumors.  CT scans provide close measurements so that growth can be determined (and expose one to lower amounts of radiation).   With the info you have provided us, statistically you have a greater than 90% chance of being fine.  That said, Do be vigilant!  If additional Lumps appear in the general area or if the groin lymph nodes get tender, this should be checked out.  IN your case red lumps are something to watch for (my tumors are very Black, as you know, not every bodies are.)  I know, easier said than done,, I know  The first year will be the hardest…

  Hi, I'm stage IV without being NED (No evidence of Disease on scans).  Had stage four tumors since 2007.  Don't thnk that means I dead!  If so it's only been a few Docs that have said I am.  Wife hasn't said so yet!

Matt, bet a PET scan would make you even  more paranoid!  PET scans do not show cancer.  PET scans show Glucose collecting locations.  Have many false positives and false negatives.  I know my knee and ankle were smashed up in a wreck in Germany.  I know my neck was broken in a car wreck in the US.  I know I have a steel plate holding a broken arm together.  I know I have had oral surgery. I know my neck was broken by a careless driver in the US.  Glucose collects in all those locations and others as well as in tumors.  PET scans really just show pointers to be further examined, i.e.. starting, points.  PET's do not give exact measurements of suspect tumors.  CT scans provide close measurements so that growth can be determined (and expose one to lower amounts of radiation).   With the info you have provided us, statistically you have a greater than 90% chance of being fine.  That said, Do be vigilant!  If additional Lumps appear in the general area or if the groin lymph nodes get tender, this should be checked out.  IN your case red lumps are something to watch for (my tumors are very Black, as you know, not every bodies are.)  I know, easier said than done,, I know  The first year will be the hardest…

  Hi, I'm stage IV without being NED (No evidence of Disease on scans).  Had stage four tumors since 2007.  Don't thnk that means I dead!  If so it's only been a few Docs that have said I am.  Wife hasn't said so yet!

Matt, bet a PET scan would make you even  more paranoid!  PET scans do not show cancer.  PET scans show Glucose collecting locations.  Have many false positives and false negatives.  I know my knee and ankle were smashed up in a wreck in Germany.  I know my neck was broken in a car wreck in the US.  I know I have a steel plate holding a broken arm together.  I know I have had oral surgery. I know my neck was broken by a careless driver in the US.  Glucose collects in all those locations and others as well as in tumors.  PET scans really just show pointers to be further examined, i.e.. starting, points.  PET's do not give exact measurements of suspect tumors.  CT scans provide close measurements so that growth can be determined (and expose one to lower amounts of radiation).   With the info you have provided us, statistically you have a greater than 90% chance of being fine.  That said, Do be vigilant!  If additional Lumps appear in the general area or if the groin lymph nodes get tender, this should be checked out.  IN your case red lumps are something to watch for (my tumors are very Black, as you know, not every bodies are.)  I know, easier said than done,, I know  The first year will be the hardest…

  Hi, I'm stage IV without being NED (No evidence of Disease on scans).  Had stage four tumors since 2007.  Don't thnk that means I dead!  If so it's only been a few Docs that have said I am.  Wife hasn't said so yet!

Wow, Jerry, if I were you, I would be paranoid about cars at this point.

Cars or horses?

Wow, Jerry, if I were you, I would be paranoid about cars at this point.

Wow, Jerry, if I were you, I would be paranoid about cars at this point.

Cars or horses?

Cars or horses?