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Helpful words please….
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Helpful words please….

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Helpful words please….

  • Post
    • June 22, 2012 at 2:57 pm
    Rdmstm
    Participant
      Yesterday I visited a wonderful dermatological surgeon at the Univ. of Penn. regarding my recent diagnosis of insitu. Since I traveled over an hour to see him he was nice enough to perform a second excision yesterday, so I wouldn’t have to make an additional trip later. While was there I had him look at a mole on my leg that looks ‘wrong’ to me. He said since my recent diagnosis of insitu, I could have it removed or have my local dermatologist watch it. I asked him if he could remove it and he stated that I need to visit my local dermatologist. I visited my dermatologist 4 days ago and she examined this mole and said it seemed to look fine. This mole is on my body pictures take 1 year ago, but I think it NOW looks different. I have an appointment in 6 days to have a biopsy done of this suspicious mole. I am fraught with worry that this mole will come back as a more advanced stage of melanoma and still struggling to believe this is happening….

      Any words of advice are extremely appreciated!!! Thank you.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • June 22, 2012 at 5:34 pm
        kthekhal
        Participant

          I am a stage 3b melanoma survivor  – NED for 4 years now !  but whenever I  'see'  a suspicious looking mole, I have it biopsied regardless of  the derm's  'opinions'  about it – so far I have at least 4 of them removed and biopsied and fortunately all were non-cancerous – but that is the best path to get  'peace of mind' …

            • June 23, 2012 at 4:41 am
            Cindy33
            Participant

              I am stage 1b from 2010. More melanoma May 2012. One insitu and two severly atypical. None of my moles looked suspicious. Docs were shocked.  My docs are on a plan to take the rest of my moles – about 20. Punch biopsies at the minimum. It's too scary to leave them to watch. No more watch and wait. I had a bad feeling about some moles and insisted they be removed.. They took them off to appease me and guess what – melanoma or severly atypical. Don't take chances. Better safe than sorry. When in doubt, cut it out. I sleep better. 

               

              God bless everyone on this site. Be strong and keep the faith.

               

              Cindy

              • June 23, 2012 at 4:41 am
              Cindy33
              Participant

                I am stage 1b from 2010. More melanoma May 2012. One insitu and two severly atypical. None of my moles looked suspicious. Docs were shocked.  My docs are on a plan to take the rest of my moles – about 20. Punch biopsies at the minimum. It's too scary to leave them to watch. No more watch and wait. I had a bad feeling about some moles and insisted they be removed.. They took them off to appease me and guess what – melanoma or severly atypical. Don't take chances. Better safe than sorry. When in doubt, cut it out. I sleep better. 

                 

                God bless everyone on this site. Be strong and keep the faith.

                 

                Cindy

                • June 23, 2012 at 4:41 am
                Cindy33
                Participant

                  I am stage 1b from 2010. More melanoma May 2012. One insitu and two severly atypical. None of my moles looked suspicious. Docs were shocked.  My docs are on a plan to take the rest of my moles – about 20. Punch biopsies at the minimum. It's too scary to leave them to watch. No more watch and wait. I had a bad feeling about some moles and insisted they be removed.. They took them off to appease me and guess what – melanoma or severly atypical. Don't take chances. Better safe than sorry. When in doubt, cut it out. I sleep better. 

                   

                  God bless everyone on this site. Be strong and keep the faith.

                   

                  Cindy

                • June 22, 2012 at 5:34 pm
                kthekhal
                Participant

                  I am a stage 3b melanoma survivor  – NED for 4 years now !  but whenever I  'see'  a suspicious looking mole, I have it biopsied regardless of  the derm's  'opinions'  about it – so far I have at least 4 of them removed and biopsied and fortunately all were non-cancerous – but that is the best path to get  'peace of mind' …

                  • June 22, 2012 at 5:34 pm
                  kthekhal
                  Participant

                    I am a stage 3b melanoma survivor  – NED for 4 years now !  but whenever I  'see'  a suspicious looking mole, I have it biopsied regardless of  the derm's  'opinions'  about it – so far I have at least 4 of them removed and biopsied and fortunately all were non-cancerous – but that is the best path to get  'peace of mind' …

                    • June 23, 2012 at 4:01 am
                    gabsound
                    Participant
                      If you think it has changed, then that is enough reason to have it biopsies. The only way to get the true diagnosis is to put it under a microscope. Based on what I know, if I’m worried about something and the dr thinks it’s “ok” I’ll say let’s take it off anyway so I can sleep at night. Trust your gut.

                      Julie in Las Vegas

                      • June 23, 2012 at 4:01 am
                      gabsound
                      Participant
                        If you think it has changed, then that is enough reason to have it biopsies. The only way to get the true diagnosis is to put it under a microscope. Based on what I know, if I’m worried about something and the dr thinks it’s “ok” I’ll say let’s take it off anyway so I can sleep at night. Trust your gut.

                        Julie in Las Vegas

                        • June 23, 2012 at 4:01 am
                        gabsound
                        Participant
                          If you think it has changed, then that is enough reason to have it biopsies. The only way to get the true diagnosis is to put it under a microscope. Based on what I know, if I’m worried about something and the dr thinks it’s “ok” I’ll say let’s take it off anyway so I can sleep at night. Trust your gut.

                          Julie in Las Vegas

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