› Forums › General Melanoma Community › newly diagnosed, 24yrs, stage 2a, worried about the future…
- This topic has 21 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 1 month ago by
Kim K.
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- April 10, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Hello, everyone! It's taken me some courage to post here and embrace the fact that I have/had melanoma. Funny how it's taken me so long to accept it.
Last month I went through the whirlwind of diagnosis (stage 2a… ulcerated…mitotic rate 2) and WLE and SNL surgery. All was clear, only good results. I wrangled a good melanoma specialist for those check-ups they recommend, and I'm going to begin seeing her in two weeks. I have no idea what the visits entail.
I accidentally saw 2a's survival statistics, and have also read the way people frame melanoma when they discuss it, as though it's only a matter of time until the next recurrence, until it gets worse. Since I'm of course worried about this, it's very difficult to just carry on with my life despite my (current?) good news. I hope the anxiety will pass, but more than that I hope what I'm gleaning from what I read doesn't have to be true for everyone. I'm very scared. 🙁
Thank you for listening. I admire this community for all its resiliency and empathy for one another. It's really wonderful!
- Replies
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- April 10, 2014 at 9:02 pm
Hi,
I was diagnosed with stage IV in Feb of this year without ever having had any occurrence before. I understand your anxiety but there are a few things I decided for myself not lomg after I had digested the first shock.
Statictics are based on a larger quantity of people but you are an individual. Do not read statistics as they do not tell you your future. Only god will kmow your future and as much as you can be afraid of it you can be looking forward in hope! By the way the statistics on life expectancy that tell us that we will all not die before our 83rd birthday are also only statistics.
as concerns your second paragraph I am not sure as to wether I understand your question or not but nobody ca really assure you that there will be no recurrence as nobody can assure you that you will not be overrun by a car tomorrow. I know that sounds hard but it is not that I was so much older than you and had nothing to loose. Personally I fell that my diagnosis brings so much shock and pain but it also offers the opportunity to change my attitude towards life. I think I am becoming more grateful for every happy moment and can enjoy it more than others who just "carry on with life".
do not worry too much about what might happen eventually! New Treatments are being developed all the time so trust that with god's help you are going to have a long and happy life,
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- April 10, 2014 at 9:02 pm
Hi,
I was diagnosed with stage IV in Feb of this year without ever having had any occurrence before. I understand your anxiety but there are a few things I decided for myself not lomg after I had digested the first shock.
Statictics are based on a larger quantity of people but you are an individual. Do not read statistics as they do not tell you your future. Only god will kmow your future and as much as you can be afraid of it you can be looking forward in hope! By the way the statistics on life expectancy that tell us that we will all not die before our 83rd birthday are also only statistics.
as concerns your second paragraph I am not sure as to wether I understand your question or not but nobody ca really assure you that there will be no recurrence as nobody can assure you that you will not be overrun by a car tomorrow. I know that sounds hard but it is not that I was so much older than you and had nothing to loose. Personally I fell that my diagnosis brings so much shock and pain but it also offers the opportunity to change my attitude towards life. I think I am becoming more grateful for every happy moment and can enjoy it more than others who just "carry on with life".
do not worry too much about what might happen eventually! New Treatments are being developed all the time so trust that with god's help you are going to have a long and happy life,
-
- April 10, 2014 at 9:02 pm
Hi,
I was diagnosed with stage IV in Feb of this year without ever having had any occurrence before. I understand your anxiety but there are a few things I decided for myself not lomg after I had digested the first shock.
Statictics are based on a larger quantity of people but you are an individual. Do not read statistics as they do not tell you your future. Only god will kmow your future and as much as you can be afraid of it you can be looking forward in hope! By the way the statistics on life expectancy that tell us that we will all not die before our 83rd birthday are also only statistics.
as concerns your second paragraph I am not sure as to wether I understand your question or not but nobody ca really assure you that there will be no recurrence as nobody can assure you that you will not be overrun by a car tomorrow. I know that sounds hard but it is not that I was so much older than you and had nothing to loose. Personally I fell that my diagnosis brings so much shock and pain but it also offers the opportunity to change my attitude towards life. I think I am becoming more grateful for every happy moment and can enjoy it more than others who just "carry on with life".
do not worry too much about what might happen eventually! New Treatments are being developed all the time so trust that with god's help you are going to have a long and happy life,
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- April 10, 2014 at 11:30 pm
Hi, sorry your in this spot but glad you found us. I am stage 3a with a mitotic rate of 17 (if I remember correctly) You can check my profile for the exact details. I am now 4 years with no evidence of disease (NED). YAHOO! At least in my mind, I have beaten this thing. Yes, I know there is always a chance of recurrence but with each passing year my odds get better and better. I spend very little time worry about it, I do my follow-ups religiously but that is all I am going to let melanoma have of my life at this point. I hope that you too will get to that point in the near future.
Mary
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- April 10, 2014 at 11:30 pm
Hi, sorry your in this spot but glad you found us. I am stage 3a with a mitotic rate of 17 (if I remember correctly) You can check my profile for the exact details. I am now 4 years with no evidence of disease (NED). YAHOO! At least in my mind, I have beaten this thing. Yes, I know there is always a chance of recurrence but with each passing year my odds get better and better. I spend very little time worry about it, I do my follow-ups religiously but that is all I am going to let melanoma have of my life at this point. I hope that you too will get to that point in the near future.
Mary
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- April 10, 2014 at 11:30 pm
Hi, sorry your in this spot but glad you found us. I am stage 3a with a mitotic rate of 17 (if I remember correctly) You can check my profile for the exact details. I am now 4 years with no evidence of disease (NED). YAHOO! At least in my mind, I have beaten this thing. Yes, I know there is always a chance of recurrence but with each passing year my odds get better and better. I spend very little time worry about it, I do my follow-ups religiously but that is all I am going to let melanoma have of my life at this point. I hope that you too will get to that point in the near future.
Mary
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- April 11, 2014 at 4:15 am
Hi J
it is all a little disorienting; especially on the beginning. However, 2a survival rates are pretty encouraging and treatment options for Mel are advancing rapidly. Although it may seem like at times that everyone eventually progresses, this is not the case. Keep in mind, most people active on the board have active disease. A large % of people get treated, don't have a recurrence and either drop off the board or become less frequent visitors.
The nature of this is like a marathon. Don't let it occupy your life. For me, I muse about it a little every day but for the most part push it back. For my six month scans I get a little anxious…..scanxiety as it's known here, but I've compartmentalizations over the last 2 1/2 years.
My check ups usually include a physical exam (checking for moles, checking out lymph nodes) some Q and A about how I'm feeling, etc and blood work. I have my scans and blood work 1-2 hours before my check up and get the results on the spot. Fortunately I like my surgeon and oncologist who are both extremely generous with their time and make sure my questions are always answered.
just for the record, I was 3 a with two positive nodes and a mitotic rate of 3. NED since November 2012.
Hang in there. If after a little while you're still feeling very anxious, see if your treatment center has a support group. Sharing your experiences with others will help make you feel less alone and give you insight as to how others cope.
all the best,
SA
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- April 11, 2014 at 4:15 am
Hi J
it is all a little disorienting; especially on the beginning. However, 2a survival rates are pretty encouraging and treatment options for Mel are advancing rapidly. Although it may seem like at times that everyone eventually progresses, this is not the case. Keep in mind, most people active on the board have active disease. A large % of people get treated, don't have a recurrence and either drop off the board or become less frequent visitors.
The nature of this is like a marathon. Don't let it occupy your life. For me, I muse about it a little every day but for the most part push it back. For my six month scans I get a little anxious…..scanxiety as it's known here, but I've compartmentalizations over the last 2 1/2 years.
My check ups usually include a physical exam (checking for moles, checking out lymph nodes) some Q and A about how I'm feeling, etc and blood work. I have my scans and blood work 1-2 hours before my check up and get the results on the spot. Fortunately I like my surgeon and oncologist who are both extremely generous with their time and make sure my questions are always answered.
just for the record, I was 3 a with two positive nodes and a mitotic rate of 3. NED since November 2012.
Hang in there. If after a little while you're still feeling very anxious, see if your treatment center has a support group. Sharing your experiences with others will help make you feel less alone and give you insight as to how others cope.
all the best,
SA
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- April 11, 2014 at 4:15 am
Hi J
it is all a little disorienting; especially on the beginning. However, 2a survival rates are pretty encouraging and treatment options for Mel are advancing rapidly. Although it may seem like at times that everyone eventually progresses, this is not the case. Keep in mind, most people active on the board have active disease. A large % of people get treated, don't have a recurrence and either drop off the board or become less frequent visitors.
The nature of this is like a marathon. Don't let it occupy your life. For me, I muse about it a little every day but for the most part push it back. For my six month scans I get a little anxious…..scanxiety as it's known here, but I've compartmentalizations over the last 2 1/2 years.
My check ups usually include a physical exam (checking for moles, checking out lymph nodes) some Q and A about how I'm feeling, etc and blood work. I have my scans and blood work 1-2 hours before my check up and get the results on the spot. Fortunately I like my surgeon and oncologist who are both extremely generous with their time and make sure my questions are always answered.
just for the record, I was 3 a with two positive nodes and a mitotic rate of 3. NED since November 2012.
Hang in there. If after a little while you're still feeling very anxious, see if your treatment center has a support group. Sharing your experiences with others will help make you feel less alone and give you insight as to how others cope.
all the best,
SA
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- April 11, 2014 at 4:19 am
Sorry…NED since November of 2011 not 2012! Time flies when you're having fun i guess!!
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- April 11, 2014 at 6:12 am
Hi Jae,
I am also a 2A, diagnosed in 2010. I have been NED since my WLE, and my clear SNB. I am due for my next 6 month check up in a couple of weeks, but I spend very little time thinking or worrying about it. The way I look at it…we are lucky…it could have been sooooo much worse, and lots of people have it a much worse than us. I try to keep a positive attitude about what happened to me and my future. I also feel encouraged by all of the treatment advances that have occurred just since my diagnosis.
Don't let this consume you. Right now melanoma is in your past and you need to push it out of your mind. Find new pastimes or hobbies on which to focus. For me, 6 months after my ordeal, I remodeled my kitchen with professional appliances and took up cooking. Before long I was hardley even thinking about it. Remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life.
As for the check ups, they won't be scanning you or testing your blood for 2A. It will just be an exam of your skin and lymph nodes. They will ask you how you have been feeling, if you have had any changes in your eating or bowel habits, pains, areas of concern on you body, etc. Oh…and they will check your body weight, blood pressure, and temperature. Pretty harmless and over in less than 30 minutes.
Life is a wonderful gift, so don't let a single day go to waste. Make the most of your life. You absolutely do still have your whole life ahead of you!
Take care,
Mark
Requiescat in Pace
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- April 11, 2014 at 6:12 am
Hi Jae,
I am also a 2A, diagnosed in 2010. I have been NED since my WLE, and my clear SNB. I am due for my next 6 month check up in a couple of weeks, but I spend very little time thinking or worrying about it. The way I look at it…we are lucky…it could have been sooooo much worse, and lots of people have it a much worse than us. I try to keep a positive attitude about what happened to me and my future. I also feel encouraged by all of the treatment advances that have occurred just since my diagnosis.
Don't let this consume you. Right now melanoma is in your past and you need to push it out of your mind. Find new pastimes or hobbies on which to focus. For me, 6 months after my ordeal, I remodeled my kitchen with professional appliances and took up cooking. Before long I was hardley even thinking about it. Remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life.
As for the check ups, they won't be scanning you or testing your blood for 2A. It will just be an exam of your skin and lymph nodes. They will ask you how you have been feeling, if you have had any changes in your eating or bowel habits, pains, areas of concern on you body, etc. Oh…and they will check your body weight, blood pressure, and temperature. Pretty harmless and over in less than 30 minutes.
Life is a wonderful gift, so don't let a single day go to waste. Make the most of your life. You absolutely do still have your whole life ahead of you!
Take care,
Mark
Requiescat in Pace
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- April 11, 2014 at 7:10 am
Thank you for the great advice…! You're completely right about living in the moment and not taking things for granted. I just scored myself a really great job yesterday and I'm expecting it should give me something new to focus on. I'm so glad to hear this method has worked for you. And thanks for the info on the check ups! Seems pretty straightforward.
It's good to keep things in perspective, so thank you very much for a dose of it. I'm so happy to hear about your good health!
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- April 11, 2014 at 7:10 am
Thank you for the great advice…! You're completely right about living in the moment and not taking things for granted. I just scored myself a really great job yesterday and I'm expecting it should give me something new to focus on. I'm so glad to hear this method has worked for you. And thanks for the info on the check ups! Seems pretty straightforward.
It's good to keep things in perspective, so thank you very much for a dose of it. I'm so happy to hear about your good health!
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- April 11, 2014 at 7:10 am
Thank you for the great advice…! You're completely right about living in the moment and not taking things for granted. I just scored myself a really great job yesterday and I'm expecting it should give me something new to focus on. I'm so glad to hear this method has worked for you. And thanks for the info on the check ups! Seems pretty straightforward.
It's good to keep things in perspective, so thank you very much for a dose of it. I'm so happy to hear about your good health!
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- April 11, 2014 at 6:12 am
Hi Jae,
I am also a 2A, diagnosed in 2010. I have been NED since my WLE, and my clear SNB. I am due for my next 6 month check up in a couple of weeks, but I spend very little time thinking or worrying about it. The way I look at it…we are lucky…it could have been sooooo much worse, and lots of people have it a much worse than us. I try to keep a positive attitude about what happened to me and my future. I also feel encouraged by all of the treatment advances that have occurred just since my diagnosis.
Don't let this consume you. Right now melanoma is in your past and you need to push it out of your mind. Find new pastimes or hobbies on which to focus. For me, 6 months after my ordeal, I remodeled my kitchen with professional appliances and took up cooking. Before long I was hardley even thinking about it. Remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life.
As for the check ups, they won't be scanning you or testing your blood for 2A. It will just be an exam of your skin and lymph nodes. They will ask you how you have been feeling, if you have had any changes in your eating or bowel habits, pains, areas of concern on you body, etc. Oh…and they will check your body weight, blood pressure, and temperature. Pretty harmless and over in less than 30 minutes.
Life is a wonderful gift, so don't let a single day go to waste. Make the most of your life. You absolutely do still have your whole life ahead of you!
Take care,
Mark
Requiescat in Pace
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- April 13, 2014 at 4:25 am
Read my patient profile. Yes I became stage IV but 7 years later and with no symptoms. An accidental finding when having my back x-rayed for other resons.
I still have all my lymph nodes except for the SNB.
Mine was creepy crawly disease but probably gone for good thanks to IL-2.
Been there, done that, got the scars and several T-shirts. This place is a godsend.
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- April 13, 2014 at 4:25 am
Read my patient profile. Yes I became stage IV but 7 years later and with no symptoms. An accidental finding when having my back x-rayed for other resons.
I still have all my lymph nodes except for the SNB.
Mine was creepy crawly disease but probably gone for good thanks to IL-2.
Been there, done that, got the scars and several T-shirts. This place is a godsend.
-
- April 13, 2014 at 4:25 am
Read my patient profile. Yes I became stage IV but 7 years later and with no symptoms. An accidental finding when having my back x-rayed for other resons.
I still have all my lymph nodes except for the SNB.
Mine was creepy crawly disease but probably gone for good thanks to IL-2.
Been there, done that, got the scars and several T-shirts. This place is a godsend.
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