Just diagnosed, preparing for surgery

I just want to echo what Lisa says.  My melanoma started in a mole on my upper left arm, spread to lymph nodes under that arm, only in first node.  That first operation they took out two nodes.  A month later they went back and took the other 25 to be on the safe side and all those were negative.  If they will take all yours in one op, to me that would be a plus. However they do it, please be OK about it because it really is the right procedure.  You've come this far.  Better as safe as you can be than to maybe face future regrets.  Prayers are with you.

For you and anyone else who's interested, I began a FB page called Melanoma Prayer Center.  Drop by.

Grace and peace,

Carol Stage 3B

I just want to echo what Lisa says.  My melanoma started in a mole on my upper left arm, spread to lymph nodes under that arm, only in first node.  That first operation they took out two nodes.  A month later they went back and took the other 25 to be on the safe side and all those were negative.  If they will take all yours in one op, to me that would be a plus. However they do it, please be OK about it because it really is the right procedure.  You've come this far.  Better as safe as you can be than to maybe face future regrets.  Prayers are with you.

For you and anyone else who's interested, I began a FB page called Melanoma Prayer Center.  Drop by.

Grace and peace,

Carol Stage 3B

It's OK to be confused, but you'll have many decisions to make in the years ahead, so please don't let yourself get boggled down in a sea of confusion.  You need to remain clear-headed.  By all means pray, but I'm not sure what you mean by "trying to understand."  If you're trying to understand "why" this is happening, your prayers will better be spent trying to understand what God would have you do in this situation.  Don't get sidetracked.  Get the best advice you can from your medical team.  Your story will not and does not look exactly like mine or anyone elses.  We can support you, pray for you, and give the best advice we can give, but at the end of the day the choices are yours and yours alone…even familly closest to you can't make them.  You have to do what you are comfortable with.

Pray against the confusion and for a clear head.  Pray for wisdom, both fpr yourself & famiy and for medical team.  Pray for strength…you will be told things in your journey that you will have to handle.  I don't know what you'll be told but I do know you will have to be able to deal and cope and you'll need strength.  Pray for the voice to tell people what you need from them.  Pray for those who will be tending to you post-op…they need care too…don't wear them out and don't let them wear themselves out.

I'm not trying to sound harsh, but honest.  A lot of folks who don't know what you're going through are going to try and coddle you and that's OK up to a point.  You'll need some babying once in a while.  But right now you've got to deal with what you've got to deal with.  You'll find you're stronger and tougher than you ever knew.  Use this as a learning time and a time to prioritize your life…you'll learn what really matters and what doesn't.  Keep a postiive attitude and let go of the confusion, it won't help you any.

Prayers for you!  And peace!

I had a mole removed from my right calf in 6/07 along with one lymph node from my right groin.  That lymph node tested postive of cancer. In  september of that  year, I had a LND of my right pelvic area.  I did get a second opinion, of who agreed with my onc of what to do.  I did have a huge source of prayer for me.  I still do.  I think I will never understand why?,  or see how this is to prosper me and not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11).  I right in my diary and post on my blog and that does help.  I have 3 friends who are also cancer survivors, which does help in when I need to talk.  Everybody on here understands what you are going there.

I had a mole removed from my right calf in 6/07 along with one lymph node from my right groin.  That lymph node tested postive of cancer. In  september of that  year, I had a LND of my right pelvic area.  I did get a second opinion, of who agreed with my onc of what to do.  I did have a huge source of prayer for me.  I still do.  I think I will never understand why?,  or see how this is to prosper me and not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11).  I right in my diary and post on my blog and that does help.  I have 3 friends who are also cancer survivors, which does help in when I need to talk.  Everybody on here understands what you are going there.

I had a mole removed from my right calf in 6/07 along with one lymph node from my right groin.  That lymph node tested postive of cancer. In  september of that  year, I had a LND of my right pelvic area.  I did get a second opinion, of who agreed with my onc of what to do.  I did have a huge source of prayer for me.  I still do.  I think I will never understand why?,  or see how this is to prosper me and not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11).  I right in my diary and post on my blog and that does help.  I have 3 friends who are also cancer survivors, which does help in when I need to talk.  Everybody on here understands what you are going there.

I had a mole removed from my right calf in 6/07 along with one lymph node from my right groin.  That lymph node tested postive of cancer. In  september of that  year, I had a LND of my right pelvic area.  I did get a second opinion, of who agreed with my onc of what to do.  I did have a huge source of prayer for me.  I still do.  I think I will never understand why?,  or see how this is to prosper me and not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11).  I right in my diary and post on my blog and that does help.  I have 3 friends who are also cancer survivors, which does help in when I need to talk.  Everybody on here understands what you are going there.

It's OK to be confused, but you'll have many decisions to make in the years ahead, so please don't let yourself get boggled down in a sea of confusion.  You need to remain clear-headed.  By all means pray, but I'm not sure what you mean by "trying to understand."  If you're trying to understand "why" this is happening, your prayers will better be spent trying to understand what God would have you do in this situation.  Don't get sidetracked.  Get the best advice you can from your medical team.  Your story will not and does not look exactly like mine or anyone elses.  We can support you, pray for you, and give the best advice we can give, but at the end of the day the choices are yours and yours alone…even familly closest to you can't make them.  You have to do what you are comfortable with.

Pray against the confusion and for a clear head.  Pray for wisdom, both fpr yourself & famiy and for medical team.  Pray for strength…you will be told things in your journey that you will have to handle.  I don't know what you'll be told but I do know you will have to be able to deal and cope and you'll need strength.  Pray for the voice to tell people what you need from them.  Pray for those who will be tending to you post-op…they need care too…don't wear them out and don't let them wear themselves out.

I'm not trying to sound harsh, but honest.  A lot of folks who don't know what you're going through are going to try and coddle you and that's OK up to a point.  You'll need some babying once in a while.  But right now you've got to deal with what you've got to deal with.  You'll find you're stronger and tougher than you ever knew.  Use this as a learning time and a time to prioritize your life…you'll learn what really matters and what doesn't.  Keep a postiive attitude and let go of the confusion, it won't help you any.

Prayers for you!  And peace!