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AM I am mental case or is it Melanoma

Forums General Melanoma Community AM I am mental case or is it Melanoma

  • Post
    kbc123
    Participant

      Good Morning Warriors..

      I am trying to convince myself that I am just have total ANXIETY and there is no NEED to worry but I cant help but ALWAYS bringing Melanoma up to the forefront…

      I am considered Stage 3a (a few cells found in one sentinal node by NYU – mole was 1.01 – non ulcerated – wide excision and LNB in February 2011) and here I am, eight months later..

      Good Morning Warriors..

      I am trying to convince myself that I am just have total ANXIETY and there is no NEED to worry but I cant help but ALWAYS bringing Melanoma up to the forefront…

      I am considered Stage 3a (a few cells found in one sentinal node by NYU – mole was 1.01 – non ulcerated – wide excision and LNB in February 2011) and here I am, eight months later..

      I was also diagnosed two years ago with a herniated disc at L5-S1 – I had horrible back pain.  they sent me for MRI and for therapy and that was that.  I was cured never to have a problem with it again. 

      Last Wednesday, I dozed off on the couch, woke up in the middle of the night with pain, not horrible pain but pain, lower back again, that progressively got worse through the day.  I did visit my ortho by the end of the week as I was in horrible pain again.  ASSUMING I am just dealing with SCIATICA again, he sends me to Physical Therapy, which I am doing, but I cant help but THINK, can this be something starting in the back now?  I know, I AM probably crazy, ( no, I KNOW i am crazy – that is a proven fact) however, does anyone think I should CALL my oncologist and run it by him.?  I have to say I do feel, maybe 10 percent better than last week, but it just feels like it is taking forever to start feeling myself again.  I was on Medrol Dose Pack and some non-narcotic pain meds but I still have the pain down the butt and thigh and its tough getting around.

      So, give me some input, so I can sleep at night again !

      Hope this note is finding everyone having a great AUTUMN day !

      Kathy

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        Janner
        Participant

          Pain in lower back, butt and thigh seems CLASSICAL for sciatica.  My Dad recently had it so bad he couldn't move from one room to the next in his house.  (His lasted for months).  As Dr. Casey used to say on this BB:  "Look for the most obvious answer first.  THEN look for zebras".  Since you have a history of sciatica and the pain is similar (and getting better), it sounds like back issues are an obvious culprit and melanoma is still the zebra.  In the end, you need to do what makes you feel comfortable and if that means calling your onc, go ahead.  But don't let your imagination run away with you!

          Best wishes,

          Janner

          Janner
          Participant

            Pain in lower back, butt and thigh seems CLASSICAL for sciatica.  My Dad recently had it so bad he couldn't move from one room to the next in his house.  (His lasted for months).  As Dr. Casey used to say on this BB:  "Look for the most obvious answer first.  THEN look for zebras".  Since you have a history of sciatica and the pain is similar (and getting better), it sounds like back issues are an obvious culprit and melanoma is still the zebra.  In the end, you need to do what makes you feel comfortable and if that means calling your onc, go ahead.  But don't let your imagination run away with you!

            Best wishes,

            Janner

            Janner
            Participant

              Pain in lower back, butt and thigh seems CLASSICAL for sciatica.  My Dad recently had it so bad he couldn't move from one room to the next in his house.  (His lasted for months).  As Dr. Casey used to say on this BB:  "Look for the most obvious answer first.  THEN look for zebras".  Since you have a history of sciatica and the pain is similar (and getting better), it sounds like back issues are an obvious culprit and melanoma is still the zebra.  In the end, you need to do what makes you feel comfortable and if that means calling your onc, go ahead.  But don't let your imagination run away with you!

              Best wishes,

              Janner

              Hereiam
              Participant

                Hi Kathy,

                I am so sorry that you have to go through all this. I want to calm you down and say that a lot of our ilnesses are born in out minds at first. So, really, try to not connect two different things together! Of course, it all might be connected as our body is a complect of different things, but, at the same time, maybe your back pain is returning simply because it wasn`t treated correctly or fully at the first time. And it has no connection with melanoma.

                Please, do not think that you`re crazy and try to relax more. And, maybe go to the doctor if you feel so!

                Best wishes,

                H

                Hereiam
                Participant

                  Hi Kathy,

                  I am so sorry that you have to go through all this. I want to calm you down and say that a lot of our ilnesses are born in out minds at first. So, really, try to not connect two different things together! Of course, it all might be connected as our body is a complect of different things, but, at the same time, maybe your back pain is returning simply because it wasn`t treated correctly or fully at the first time. And it has no connection with melanoma.

                  Please, do not think that you`re crazy and try to relax more. And, maybe go to the doctor if you feel so!

                  Best wishes,

                  H

                  Hereiam
                  Participant

                    Hi Kathy,

                    I am so sorry that you have to go through all this. I want to calm you down and say that a lot of our ilnesses are born in out minds at first. So, really, try to not connect two different things together! Of course, it all might be connected as our body is a complect of different things, but, at the same time, maybe your back pain is returning simply because it wasn`t treated correctly or fully at the first time. And it has no connection with melanoma.

                    Please, do not think that you`re crazy and try to relax more. And, maybe go to the doctor if you feel so!

                    Best wishes,

                    H

                    CKasper
                    Participant

                      My husband had the same injury in his back you have.  His became so painful until he started to suffer nerve damage.

                      He finally had surgery which helped him tremendously.  I caution  you if you decide to go this route to make sure you have a very good surgeron. 

                      As far as Melanoma goes.  When its staring you in the face and the doctors are all very concerned and wanting you to get surgery and treatment as soon as posssible its difficult not to think of anything else. 

                      There are many many cancer patients who suffer from anxiety, depression, etc….no wonder…this is a life changing disease and it takes lots of time, patience and persverence (sp?) to tackle this disease not matter what type of cancer a patient might have.

                      If you can afford it contact a therapist.  If not, see if there are some group threapies you can attend.  It will help you as you won't feel so alone.

                      Good Luck to you.

                      CKasper
                      Participant

                        My husband had the same injury in his back you have.  His became so painful until he started to suffer nerve damage.

                        He finally had surgery which helped him tremendously.  I caution  you if you decide to go this route to make sure you have a very good surgeron. 

                        As far as Melanoma goes.  When its staring you in the face and the doctors are all very concerned and wanting you to get surgery and treatment as soon as posssible its difficult not to think of anything else. 

                        There are many many cancer patients who suffer from anxiety, depression, etc….no wonder…this is a life changing disease and it takes lots of time, patience and persverence (sp?) to tackle this disease not matter what type of cancer a patient might have.

                        If you can afford it contact a therapist.  If not, see if there are some group threapies you can attend.  It will help you as you won't feel so alone.

                        Good Luck to you.

                        CKasper
                        Participant

                          My husband had the same injury in his back you have.  His became so painful until he started to suffer nerve damage.

                          He finally had surgery which helped him tremendously.  I caution  you if you decide to go this route to make sure you have a very good surgeron. 

                          As far as Melanoma goes.  When its staring you in the face and the doctors are all very concerned and wanting you to get surgery and treatment as soon as posssible its difficult not to think of anything else. 

                          There are many many cancer patients who suffer from anxiety, depression, etc….no wonder…this is a life changing disease and it takes lots of time, patience and persverence (sp?) to tackle this disease not matter what type of cancer a patient might have.

                          If you can afford it contact a therapist.  If not, see if there are some group threapies you can attend.  It will help you as you won't feel so alone.

                          Good Luck to you.

                          Jydnew
                          Participant

                            My husband is the same stage as you – 3a with microscopic deposits in 1 or 2 lymph nodes in his armpit.  Twice a year, he would get relatively debilitating back pain about 3-4 weeks before scan time and it always freaked me out (not him so much) that it was the melanoma spreading into his lower spine, butt, even down his legs.  I used to try to feel for lumps and bumps all the time, I was so worried.

                            I realize now, with the pattern of the timing, that it was likely stress induced.  And it's tough because it takes weeks to months to heal from normal back pain, not to mention sciatica, so it's not like it goes away quickly, relieving your mind.

                            My husband is going on 10 years out from his diagnosis – he will be NED for 10 years in January 2012.  He will turn 36 the same week.

                            Of course, everyone's health situation is different, and I think you do what you have to do to get peace with the disease.  Personally, I haven't found what that is yet.  Somehow my husband, the patient, has.

                            Jydnew
                            Participant

                              My husband is the same stage as you – 3a with microscopic deposits in 1 or 2 lymph nodes in his armpit.  Twice a year, he would get relatively debilitating back pain about 3-4 weeks before scan time and it always freaked me out (not him so much) that it was the melanoma spreading into his lower spine, butt, even down his legs.  I used to try to feel for lumps and bumps all the time, I was so worried.

                              I realize now, with the pattern of the timing, that it was likely stress induced.  And it's tough because it takes weeks to months to heal from normal back pain, not to mention sciatica, so it's not like it goes away quickly, relieving your mind.

                              My husband is going on 10 years out from his diagnosis – he will be NED for 10 years in January 2012.  He will turn 36 the same week.

                              Of course, everyone's health situation is different, and I think you do what you have to do to get peace with the disease.  Personally, I haven't found what that is yet.  Somehow my husband, the patient, has.

                              Jydnew
                              Participant

                                My husband is the same stage as you – 3a with microscopic deposits in 1 or 2 lymph nodes in his armpit.  Twice a year, he would get relatively debilitating back pain about 3-4 weeks before scan time and it always freaked me out (not him so much) that it was the melanoma spreading into his lower spine, butt, even down his legs.  I used to try to feel for lumps and bumps all the time, I was so worried.

                                I realize now, with the pattern of the timing, that it was likely stress induced.  And it's tough because it takes weeks to months to heal from normal back pain, not to mention sciatica, so it's not like it goes away quickly, relieving your mind.

                                My husband is going on 10 years out from his diagnosis – he will be NED for 10 years in January 2012.  He will turn 36 the same week.

                                Of course, everyone's health situation is different, and I think you do what you have to do to get peace with the disease.  Personally, I haven't found what that is yet.  Somehow my husband, the patient, has.

                                Jydnew
                                Participant

                                  My husband is the same stage as you – 3a with microscopic deposits in 1 or 2 lymph nodes in his armpit.  Twice a year, he would get relatively debilitating back pain about 3-4 weeks before scan time and it always freaked me out (not him so much) that it was the melanoma spreading into his lower spine, butt, even down his legs.  I used to try to feel for lumps and bumps all the time, I was so worried.

                                  I realize now, with the pattern of the timing, that it was likely stress induced.  And it's tough because it takes weeks to months to heal from normal back pain, not to mention sciatica, so it's not like it goes away quickly, relieving your mind.

                                  My husband is going on 10 years out from his diagnosis – he will be NED for 10 years in January 2012.  He will turn 36 the same week.

                                  Of course, everyone's health situation is different, and I think you do what you have to do to get peace living with the disease.  Personally, I haven't found what that is yet.  Somehow my husband, the patient, has.

                                  Jydnew
                                  Participant

                                    My husband is the same stage as you – 3a with microscopic deposits in 1 or 2 lymph nodes in his armpit.  Twice a year, he would get relatively debilitating back pain about 3-4 weeks before scan time and it always freaked me out (not him so much) that it was the melanoma spreading into his lower spine, butt, even down his legs.  I used to try to feel for lumps and bumps all the time, I was so worried.

                                    I realize now, with the pattern of the timing, that it was likely stress induced.  And it's tough because it takes weeks to months to heal from normal back pain, not to mention sciatica, so it's not like it goes away quickly, relieving your mind.

                                    My husband is going on 10 years out from his diagnosis – he will be NED for 10 years in January 2012.  He will turn 36 the same week.

                                    Of course, everyone's health situation is different, and I think you do what you have to do to get peace living with the disease.  Personally, I haven't found what that is yet.  Somehow my husband, the patient, has.

                                    Jydnew
                                    Participant

                                      My husband is the same stage as you – 3a with microscopic deposits in 1 or 2 lymph nodes in his armpit.  Twice a year, he would get relatively debilitating back pain about 3-4 weeks before scan time and it always freaked me out (not him so much) that it was the melanoma spreading into his lower spine, butt, even down his legs.  I used to try to feel for lumps and bumps all the time, I was so worried.

                                      I realize now, with the pattern of the timing, that it was likely stress induced.  And it's tough because it takes weeks to months to heal from normal back pain, not to mention sciatica, so it's not like it goes away quickly, relieving your mind.

                                      My husband is going on 10 years out from his diagnosis – he will be NED for 10 years in January 2012.  He will turn 36 the same week.

                                      Of course, everyone's health situation is different, and I think you do what you have to do to get peace living with the disease.  Personally, I haven't found what that is yet.  Somehow my husband, the patient, has.

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