Hello! I’m thankful for the info I’ve gained from this board in the last six months. I had a melanoma stage 1a diagnosed at the end of last year. My thoughts are that it “flared” during pregnancy. I was sick with worry over it but am thankful it was only 1a. At the time of biopsy (shave) my doctor didn’t palpate my nodes and he didn’t at the WLE either which was performed by him in his office. Once he palpated them at my “first” skin check follow up I left his office and read about the role of lymph nodes. I became sick with worry as I had a lymph node swollen in my armpit on the same side as my melanoma during a good amount of my pregnancy. It has since gone down so I’ve talked myself out of my worry for the most part. But I wasn’t even aware of this connection because he never informed me and didn’t even perform it until six months after biopsy. I have since mentioned it and he wasn’t worried at all.
I also have three smaller moles that became super dark during pregnancy. They still are. There’s been no change after birth but they still concern me. They aren’t large but aren’t like the rest of my moles. I’ve pointed them out and he doesn’t seem worried. But he’s VERY laid back. In fact my original melanoma looked classic and he said as he shaved it “this isn’t melanoma.”
Should I switch doctors? Should I demand for more biopsies? It seems a lot of people with melanoma get them done all of the time and I haven’t had anything biopsied other than my primary.
I would love some suggestions and opinions. Thanks!
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