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Helpful words please….

Forums General Melanoma Community Helpful words please….

  • Post
    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
        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' …

            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

              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

                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

                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' …

                  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' …

                    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

                      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

                        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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