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New Diagnosis

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › New Diagnosis

  • Post
    • June 23, 2018 at 4:43 pm
    laurakoco
    Participant

      Hi there,

      It's my first time posting here. I am 28 y/o female living in Boston, MA, and I just got a diagnosis of Melanoma stage 1A from a mole biopsied on my calf. Oddly my dermatologist thought it looked fine, but I pushed for her to biopsy it anyway. I know a lot of people here have have more advanced Melanoma, but nonethelness, I am very scared. I am scheduled for excision in two weeks. From reading here, I know I will have to monitor my body and my lymph nodes for the rest of my life, as the cancer may return at any point. I just wanted to share and say hello and leverage the strength of others here. Luckily I have a great boyfriend but my immediate family with the exception of my brother is just garbage. At times I can feel very alone in this, but I'm trying to stay positive! It feels very weird to say I have cancer.

      One day at a time,

      -Laura

    Viewing 3 reply threads
    • Replies
        • June 23, 2018 at 5:39 pm
        iskitwo
        Participant

          Sounds like you are on top of things and good for you for pushing for what you thought you needed. You know your body best! Wishing you the best for quick healing!

          • June 25, 2018 at 2:30 am
          Ridingaroundwith27Jennifers
          Participant

            Hi Laura,

            Hopefully this is just a small bump in the road.  Boston is a great place for cancer.  We've got cutting edge care at our fingertips.  I'm about 30 miles outside of the city so I consider myself "from Boston".  Melanoma can be very isolating but you have us and we are right here with you.  Wishing you good thoughts with the excision.

            Jennifer

            • June 25, 2018 at 1:20 pm
            BethL
            Participant

              Hi Laura –

              Sorry about your diagnosis. It is a difficult thing to face – but – you have come to the right place.  So much knowledge here and compassion. It helps more than you know. Like having a really big, really smart family!

              I'm also in boston, so many resources, great doctors, great care. Rest assured you will get the help you need to beat this!

              I'm a year into this, stage 3A and NED. and 3 more months of immunotherapy left.  so feel really grateful for the support and education here.  

              If there is anything I can do to help, feel free to reach out.

              Hang in there- you are on the right path!

              BethL

                • June 25, 2018 at 2:12 pm
                laurakoco
                Participant

                  Hi Beth,

                  Thanks for your response. I am considering now to transfer my care to Dana Farber. Do you have any recommendations of other doctors or places that specialize in Melanoma?

                  -Laura

                  • June 25, 2018 at 2:23 pm
                  BethL
                  Participant

                    Hi Laura- I am being treated at Dana Farber by Dr Hodi and his staff. The care team there is great, caring,efficient. You can call the Melanoma Team at Dana and they can give you transfer info.  Was a very easy process. Call the department -here is the number: 617-632-5055.

                    If you want to send me a private email I am happy to give you my phone # and we can talk.

                    take care-BethL

                  • June 27, 2018 at 7:29 am
                  DZnDef
                  Participant

                    Hi Laura,

                    Sorry about your diagnosis but glad you caught it early.  As far as monitoring for it going forward, it might be getting easier soon.  They have been working on developing blood tests that can detect it before any tumors show up.  Very handy for anyone that has been diagnosed before and is concerned about a recurrence.  I am currently participating in a trial for one of the blood tests.  The earlier we can detect it, the better the odds we can get rid of it.  Hopefully, you've already gotten rid of yours but an occassional blood test would be good for peace of mind.  Hopefully they'll get a good one approved soon.

                    Cheers!

                    Maggie

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