New to the group

Hi Jared,

I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with melanoma, but it's good to know it's Stage 1 and has been caught early.  It's scary to hear the word "cancer", but removing something earlier than later is definately key to this disease and you should continue to be dilligent.  Yes, it's true, some people have the cancer return months and years later, but others never have it return again. Once you've been diagnosed with Stage 1 melanoma, you're at higher risk of it returning, but it doesn't mean it will return. 

If your melanoma was thin and caught early, it's quite likely you may never have a reoccurence.  Keep in mind that there are many Stage 4 people living years and not living in a dead depression funk.  This year was the year of big changes for melanoma and 3 treatments have been approved for the first time in 30 years.  Be happy to be NED, but continue to be monitored.

Lisa – Stage 4

Hi Jared,

I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with melanoma, but it's good to know it's Stage 1 and has been caught early.  It's scary to hear the word "cancer", but removing something earlier than later is definately key to this disease and you should continue to be dilligent.  Yes, it's true, some people have the cancer return months and years later, but others never have it return again. Once you've been diagnosed with Stage 1 melanoma, you're at higher risk of it returning, but it doesn't mean it will return. 

If your melanoma was thin and caught early, it's quite likely you may never have a reoccurence.  Keep in mind that there are many Stage 4 people living years and not living in a dead depression funk.  This year was the year of big changes for melanoma and 3 treatments have been approved for the first time in 30 years.  Be happy to be NED, but continue to be monitored.

Lisa – Stage 4

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your melanoma, but I can only agree with Lisa, that you should always keep in mind those, who are at far more worse situation than you. Plus, it`s not worth to live a long life in fear, better a short one but complitely happy! I`m not saying you or me are going to live a short life, Im just trying to explain, that fear is a thing which you should get out of your system!

Cancer can reoccur, other diseases my appear. None of us can be sure that one day a plane or car you`re sitting in wont get crashed. Anything can happen in any time. So why worry about it so much?! Actually, its almost good to get some disease, cuz if it appears again, you`re able to understand what it is and get rid of it sooner that person who has no idea that itching mole can mean something more that just itching mole. 

Though, when I was in such situation (I also had stage 1 melanoma), my only fear was of it reoccuring. But what I did was simple – called my friend oncologist, and said: hey, I cant live in fear all the time, so I need something in order to know that I am doing all I can to prevent melanoma. He prescribed me a natural medicine called Rigvir (in Latvia it is a common medicine for both melanoma patients, and NED`s) and I started using it. As it is as simple as take a C vitamin every morning, I`m now and then using it. 

Anyhow, you are the one who decides what to do with your fear. But, as sooner you`ll get rid of it, the better!

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your melanoma, but I can only agree with Lisa, that you should always keep in mind those, who are at far more worse situation than you. Plus, it`s not worth to live a long life in fear, better a short one but complitely happy! I`m not saying you or me are going to live a short life, Im just trying to explain, that fear is a thing which you should get out of your system!

Cancer can reoccur, other diseases my appear. None of us can be sure that one day a plane or car you`re sitting in wont get crashed. Anything can happen in any time. So why worry about it so much?! Actually, its almost good to get some disease, cuz if it appears again, you`re able to understand what it is and get rid of it sooner that person who has no idea that itching mole can mean something more that just itching mole. 

Though, when I was in such situation (I also had stage 1 melanoma), my only fear was of it reoccuring. But what I did was simple – called my friend oncologist, and said: hey, I cant live in fear all the time, so I need something in order to know that I am doing all I can to prevent melanoma. He prescribed me a natural medicine called Rigvir (in Latvia it is a common medicine for both melanoma patients, and NED`s) and I started using it. As it is as simple as take a C vitamin every morning, I`m now and then using it. 

Anyhow, you are the one who decides what to do with your fear. But, as sooner you`ll get rid of it, the better!

Hi Jared,  I am so sorry to hear your mother also had melanoma.  Don't be too hard on yourself for worrying about your own diagnosis, it's only natural after what your family has been through.

I was diagnosed stage 1B four years ago -and felt much like you do at the time. The good news for me (and hopefully you) is that I am still stage 1B despite all my worrying. Over the years I have often relied on a quote I read here (and copied below) to get me through the fear. (Even regular signs of aging can take on a whole new meaning when we are convinced mel is biting at our heels.)

I am curious as to the depth of your melanoma Jared.. some stage 1's are offered a sentinel node biopsy. Maybe share some more details with us so that we can make sure you have had proper follow up care. thanks, linda

worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrows, it only saps today of it's strength.

Hi Jared,  I am so sorry to hear your mother also had melanoma.  Don't be too hard on yourself for worrying about your own diagnosis, it's only natural after what your family has been through.

I was diagnosed stage 1B four years ago -and felt much like you do at the time. The good news for me (and hopefully you) is that I am still stage 1B despite all my worrying. Over the years I have often relied on a quote I read here (and copied below) to get me through the fear. (Even regular signs of aging can take on a whole new meaning when we are convinced mel is biting at our heels.)

I am curious as to the depth of your melanoma Jared.. some stage 1's are offered a sentinel node biopsy. Maybe share some more details with us so that we can make sure you have had proper follow up care. thanks, linda

worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrows, it only saps today of it's strength.

While I hate to see you here, I like your status for now.  I urge vigilance, not paranoia nor too much depression.  (If there's not a  little depression then something else is wrong!)  Yes, any day you could be 6 feet under.  My Pastor tried to tell me that no one makes it  out of this world alive.  So I reminded him of Elijah! 

    I've been stage IV for almost 5 years, never been NED since diagnosis, but boy do I still love traveling and loving my grandkids (and pestering my kids)..

    If you can get the BRAF and C-kit oncoprotein histochemical tests and DNA mutation tests run on the removed sample, then you will be a further step ahead in knowing what line of attack to make if it were to rear its ugly head again.  Your odds are good, but not absolute, that I why I like the idea of knowing where I will head (for treatment, not which cemetery) If things get worse.  (I know they might for me, but don't know that they will!)

   For your stage I do recommend anti-oxidants, Curcumin (turmeric extract) and green leafy vegetables, broccoli and asparagus as things to help enhance your immune systems to enhance the bodies ability to withstand any rogue melanoma cells runing around.

While I hate to see you here, I like your status for now.  I urge vigilance, not paranoia nor too much depression.  (If there's not a  little depression then something else is wrong!)  Yes, any day you could be 6 feet under.  My Pastor tried to tell me that no one makes it  out of this world alive.  So I reminded him of Elijah! 

    I've been stage IV for almost 5 years, never been NED since diagnosis, but boy do I still love traveling and loving my grandkids (and pestering my kids)..

    If you can get the BRAF and C-kit oncoprotein histochemical tests and DNA mutation tests run on the removed sample, then you will be a further step ahead in knowing what line of attack to make if it were to rear its ugly head again.  Your odds are good, but not absolute, that I why I like the idea of knowing where I will head (for treatment, not which cemetery) If things get worse.  (I know they might for me, but don't know that they will!)

   For your stage I do recommend anti-oxidants, Curcumin (turmeric extract) and green leafy vegetables, broccoli and asparagus as things to help enhance your immune systems to enhance the bodies ability to withstand any rogue melanoma cells runing around.

Jared:

Thanks for a very frank, honest post.  I think your concerns are shared by a lot of people.  Cancer, regardless of the stage, is a scary thing.

Yes, melonoma seems remarkably persistent.  And yes, some people do have recurrences many years after an initial diagnosis.  But this is one time when the statistics are on your side.  You caught the melanoma early, and that helps a lot.

I am sure you will be vigilant and continue regular checks.  No reason to think this will get away from you.

The bigger question you ask is this:  Why does melanoma do this?  A lot of people are trying to figure that out.  One thought is that some melanoma cells become dormant.  By doing this they hide from the immune system, essentially becoming invisible to the body.  Then something happens that signals the cells to start growing again.  Again, this does happen but it is not what usually happens.

Tim–MRF

Jared:

Thanks for a very frank, honest post.  I think your concerns are shared by a lot of people.  Cancer, regardless of the stage, is a scary thing.

Yes, melonoma seems remarkably persistent.  And yes, some people do have recurrences many years after an initial diagnosis.  But this is one time when the statistics are on your side.  You caught the melanoma early, and that helps a lot.

I am sure you will be vigilant and continue regular checks.  No reason to think this will get away from you.

The bigger question you ask is this:  Why does melanoma do this?  A lot of people are trying to figure that out.  One thought is that some melanoma cells become dormant.  By doing this they hide from the immune system, essentially becoming invisible to the body.  Then something happens that signals the cells to start growing again.  Again, this does happen but it is not what usually happens.

Tim–MRF

Hi Jared:

I hear your anxiety and I understand it!  I wanted to tell you that my first thought as I read your post was thank God he has a good aggressive derm that was watching and taking things off!    My dad also went every 6 months and his derm didn't see a problem with the top of his scalp which my mom finally insisted they biopsy.  He was a "wait and see guy" and my dad's tumor after having a long time to grow was 6.8 mm when it was found. I'm sure  It is shocking to hear the news , especially since you have gone through this with your mom..  Maybe if you think of it as  a risk you are more aware of and need to be viligant with it. Your derm app will be your most important visit just like a cardiologist would be to a heart patient  I do understand your anxiety and have found my anxiety to be consuming this past year regarding my dad. .  I am so thankful you  found  it so early and have been told good news..  Please take comfort and information from this wonderful group of people. I am also new to these posts and have been in awe of their spirit, courage,faith and wealth of information.  I am always amazed and blessed by the people who cross your path in trying times.  Rest easy and take comfort in all the reassuring thoughts sent your way.  Julie

Hi Jared:

I hear your anxiety and I understand it!  I wanted to tell you that my first thought as I read your post was thank God he has a good aggressive derm that was watching and taking things off!    My dad also went every 6 months and his derm didn't see a problem with the top of his scalp which my mom finally insisted they biopsy.  He was a "wait and see guy" and my dad's tumor after having a long time to grow was 6.8 mm when it was found. I'm sure  It is shocking to hear the news , especially since you have gone through this with your mom..  Maybe if you think of it as  a risk you are more aware of and need to be viligant with it. Your derm app will be your most important visit just like a cardiologist would be to a heart patient  I do understand your anxiety and have found my anxiety to be consuming this past year regarding my dad. .  I am so thankful you  found  it so early and have been told good news..  Please take comfort and information from this wonderful group of people. I am also new to these posts and have been in awe of their spirit, courage,faith and wealth of information.  I am always amazed and blessed by the people who cross your path in trying times.  Rest easy and take comfort in all the reassuring thoughts sent your way.  Julie

Well, I'm one of those long time stage I people.  19 years since I was first diagnosed.  I'm still stage I.  Most people in my situation have no reason to post on a board like this so you are getting a skewed version of stage I people who advance.  Sure, it happens.  But to date, there isn't anything out there to keep it from advancing.  Really not anything a stage I person can do except be vigilant.  There isn't any viable treatment for stage I besides surgery at this point. 

My thoughts are that if melanoma has you in a "dead depression funk", it has already won.  Regardless if melanoma ever comes back or not, you have let it win this battle because it is taking over your life now.  Certainly, if you are newly diagnosed, it takes time to get the shock behind you.  But don't let melanoma win the mental game.  LIVE LIFE!

Best wishes,

Janner

Well, I'm one of those long time stage I people.  19 years since I was first diagnosed.  I'm still stage I.  Most people in my situation have no reason to post on a board like this so you are getting a skewed version of stage I people who advance.  Sure, it happens.  But to date, there isn't anything out there to keep it from advancing.  Really not anything a stage I person can do except be vigilant.  There isn't any viable treatment for stage I besides surgery at this point. 

My thoughts are that if melanoma has you in a "dead depression funk", it has already won.  Regardless if melanoma ever comes back or not, you have let it win this battle because it is taking over your life now.  Certainly, if you are newly diagnosed, it takes time to get the shock behind you.  But don't let melanoma win the mental game.  LIVE LIFE!

Best wishes,

Janner