New diagnosis – need support and information

the depth of your melanoma helps with staging. You are most likely Stage II, but without more information it's hard to know. But it is growth into the skin towards your bone. 

The SNLB will be to rule out any spread to lymph nodes in that area. And the wide excision isto make sure they have gotten all remnants of the tumor out. 

Try not to borrow trouble by worrying too much. Cross each moment as they come. Melanoma is an a$$hole, but many people are living well with it or have beaten the beast. 

Sorry you are now a part of this group, but here you are sure to find some support and lots of positivity. Welcome (hugs)

Hi Annie – I'm so sorry you had to make your way here but you've come to an excellent place to learn and share. This forum is a valuable resource but the rest of the site is also extremely informative. If you look at the blue nav bar at the top of the page, under the link Understand Melanoma, you'll find sections that will address the many questions you no doubt have – particularly the staging and its associated procedures.

I'd suggest reading through there and then coming back with further questions – there's a ton of kind folks here who have been through the staging process you're embarking on right now (I'm not, my sister is)!! Wishing you the very best news!!

Barb 

Welcome, but I am sorry you have to be here.  

I was diagnosed a little over a month ago and am just starting treatment.  I received some very good advice I’d like to share with you. 

1. Don’t look at survival rates on the internet. Treatment of melanoma has undergone radical improvement in the last few years and the rates on the internet don’t reflect that. 

2. Find a group that specializes in melanoma.  Like I said the field is changing rapidly.  

3. Don’t feel like you have to rush into treatment.  Don’t lolligag, but make informed decisions.  

4. If it ends up that it’s in your lymph nodes ask about neoadjuvant immunotherapy clinical trials.  That’s what I’m doing and the research looks very promising. 

I think that’s it.  You found a good group with reliable information. 

Best of Luck to you

lucy

Here is the link to Bubble's primer if you haven't already found it:

http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2017/08/melanoma-intel-primer-for-current.html

Hi Annie,

My situation is completely different than yours, I just wanted you to know that if you hear the worst, you still have time.  Don’t rush decisions.  I told myself to never commit to a treatment decision on the same day I was presented with it.  You can always get some advice and research and sleep on it at least one night.  Committing to not making same-day decisions helped to relieve some anxiety for me.  I was already stage IV when I learned I had cancer and that was in 2012.  I still have it but I’m also still here.  There is a very good chance you will wake up tommorrow and for many years to come.  They’re getting pretty good at keeping us alive long enough for something else to kill us.  Hang in there.

Cheers!

Maggie