Newly diagnosed stage 1a melanoma and scared
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Newly diagnosed stage 1a melanoma and scared

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Newly diagnosed stage 1a melanoma and scared

  • Post
    • September 29, 2013 at 6:23 pm
    Dolly
    Participant
    Hi, i had a mole removed from my thigh and have been told it was stage 1a melanoma and only 0.2mm. I realise as things go I’m very lucky. I am due to have a WLE in a weeks time and I’m ok with that. What I am worried about is my future. As a sun worshipped, I realise that has to stop but will I still be ok in the sun covered up with sun block. I’ve only told a few people about this and they seem to think my mole is gone so that’s it all sorted. I don’t feel like that and I’m quiet emotional and not sleeping very well. I understand I’m low risk but do statistics mean no re occurrence? I’m sorry to share my worries with you when a lot of you are in a worse place than me.
Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 30, 2013 at 2:19 am
      casagrayson
      Participant

      Hearing the word "melanoma" is very scary, but you have one of the best possible diagnoses.  Once you have the WLE, you will be disease-free and the probability of ever having to deal with melanoma again is very, very small.  I'm not sure of the exact percentage, but I'd say it's close to a 98% chance that you will not have a recurrence.

      Stay aware of your body, and watch for any moles or spots that change, and don't delay in getting them checked.  

      You will be just fine!

      • September 30, 2013 at 2:19 am
      casagrayson
      Participant

      Hearing the word "melanoma" is very scary, but you have one of the best possible diagnoses.  Once you have the WLE, you will be disease-free and the probability of ever having to deal with melanoma again is very, very small.  I'm not sure of the exact percentage, but I'd say it's close to a 98% chance that you will not have a recurrence.

      Stay aware of your body, and watch for any moles or spots that change, and don't delay in getting them checked.  

      You will be just fine!

        • September 30, 2013 at 4:24 pm
        JC
        Participant

        "but I'd say it's close to a 98% chance that you will not have a recurrence."

         

        do they know anything about what makes the other 2% more serious?

        • September 30, 2013 at 4:24 pm
        JC
        Participant

        "but I'd say it's close to a 98% chance that you will not have a recurrence."

         

        do they know anything about what makes the other 2% more serious?

        • September 30, 2013 at 7:53 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        If they knew why some people recurred with otherwise 'low risk' lesions, then that factor(s) would be singled out and they would be staged differently.  At this point, and while it may be hard to accept, there is no answer to this question.

        • September 30, 2013 at 7:53 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        If they knew why some people recurred with otherwise 'low risk' lesions, then that factor(s) would be singled out and they would be staged differently.  At this point, and while it may be hard to accept, there is no answer to this question.

        • September 30, 2013 at 7:53 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        If they knew why some people recurred with otherwise 'low risk' lesions, then that factor(s) would be singled out and they would be staged differently.  At this point, and while it may be hard to accept, there is no answer to this question.

        • September 30, 2013 at 4:24 pm
        JC
        Participant

        "but I'd say it's close to a 98% chance that you will not have a recurrence."

         

        do they know anything about what makes the other 2% more serious?

        • September 30, 2013 at 5:48 pm
        JC
        Participant

        Was the pathology done by a dermpath?  Might want to send for 2nd opinion just for good measure, to ensure there is agreement on the pathology.

        • September 30, 2013 at 5:48 pm
        JC
        Participant

        Was the pathology done by a dermpath?  Might want to send for 2nd opinion just for good measure, to ensure there is agreement on the pathology.

        • October 2, 2013 at 10:51 am
        Dolly
        Participant
        Thanks for your replies. The pathology was done by a dermpath. I’m having the wide excision on my thigh on Monday and I’m not sure what to expect. I thought I’d be straight backtrack to work the next day but after speaking to my gp he says I might need a week off. Does anyone know? I’m starting to calm down now but still feel emotional and could do with a good weeks sleep. I think I’m over the shock now and ready to get back to normal.
        • October 2, 2013 at 10:51 am
        Dolly
        Participant
        Thanks for your replies. The pathology was done by a dermpath. I’m having the wide excision on my thigh on Monday and I’m not sure what to expect. I thought I’d be straight backtrack to work the next day but after speaking to my gp he says I might need a week off. Does anyone know? I’m starting to calm down now but still feel emotional and could do with a good weeks sleep. I think I’m over the shock now and ready to get back to normal.
        • October 2, 2013 at 10:51 am
        Dolly
        Participant
        Thanks for your replies. The pathology was done by a dermpath. I’m having the wide excision on my thigh on Monday and I’m not sure what to expect. I thought I’d be straight backtrack to work the next day but after speaking to my gp he says I might need a week off. Does anyone know? I’m starting to calm down now but still feel emotional and could do with a good weeks sleep. I think I’m over the shock now and ready to get back to normal.
        • October 2, 2013 at 10:51 am
        Dolly
        Participant
        Thanks for your replies. The pathology was done by a dermpath. I’m having the wide excision on my thigh on Monday and I’m not sure what to expect. I thought I’d be straight backtrack to work the next day but after speaking to my gp he says I might need a week off. Does anyone know? I’m starting to calm down now but still feel emotional and could do with a good weeks sleep. I think I’m over the shock now and ready to get back to normal.
        • October 2, 2013 at 10:51 am
        Dolly
        Participant
        Thanks for your replies. The pathology was done by a dermpath. I’m having the wide excision on my thigh on Monday and I’m not sure what to expect. I thought I’d be straight backtrack to work the next day but after speaking to my gp he says I might need a week off. Does anyone know? I’m starting to calm down now but still feel emotional and could do with a good weeks sleep. I think I’m over the shock now and ready to get back to normal.
        • October 4, 2013 at 3:54 am
        Ktmay
        Participant
        I was also recently diagnosed with 1a melanoma cancer. It could be a lot worse but is still so scary! I am having my second biopsy done this next Tuesday. It’s on my chest so I’m not too excited but I’m so glad it’s only stage 1. Good luck on your surgery Monday and I’ll pray for you that it’s all gone 🙂
        • October 5, 2013 at 8:16 am
        smurph226
        Participant
        I was just diagnosed with a 1A melanoma and had my wide incision two days later. Waiting for path report on the wide incision removal. Like you I am scared. There really is no further treatment required, so they say. I lost my 24 year old daughter to this horrible disease, so understandably I am freaking out
        • October 5, 2013 at 8:16 am
        smurph226
        Participant
        I was just diagnosed with a 1A melanoma and had my wide incision two days later. Waiting for path report on the wide incision removal. Like you I am scared. There really is no further treatment required, so they say. I lost my 24 year old daughter to this horrible disease, so understandably I am freaking out
        • October 5, 2013 at 8:16 am
        smurph226
        Participant
        I was just diagnosed with a 1A melanoma and had my wide incision two days later. Waiting for path report on the wide incision removal. Like you I am scared. There really is no further treatment required, so they say. I lost my 24 year old daughter to this horrible disease, so understandably I am freaking out
        • October 4, 2013 at 3:54 am
        Ktmay
        Participant
        I was also recently diagnosed with 1a melanoma cancer. It could be a lot worse but is still so scary! I am having my second biopsy done this next Tuesday. It’s on my chest so I’m not too excited but I’m so glad it’s only stage 1. Good luck on your surgery Monday and I’ll pray for you that it’s all gone 🙂
        • October 4, 2013 at 3:54 am
        Ktmay
        Participant
        I was also recently diagnosed with 1a melanoma cancer. It could be a lot worse but is still so scary! I am having my second biopsy done this next Tuesday. It’s on my chest so I’m not too excited but I’m so glad it’s only stage 1. Good luck on your surgery Monday and I’ll pray for you that it’s all gone 🙂
        • October 2, 2013 at 10:51 am
        Dolly
        Participant
        Thanks for your replies. The pathology was done by a dermpath. I’m having the wide excision on my thigh on Monday and I’m not sure what to expect. I thought I’d be straight backtrack to work the next day but after speaking to my gp he says I might need a week off. Does anyone know? I’m starting to calm down now but still feel emotional and could do with a good weeks sleep. I think I’m over the shock now and ready to get back to normal.
        • September 30, 2013 at 5:48 pm
        JC
        Participant

        Was the pathology done by a dermpath?  Might want to send for 2nd opinion just for good measure, to ensure there is agreement on the pathology.

      • September 30, 2013 at 2:19 am
      casagrayson
      Participant

      Hearing the word "melanoma" is very scary, but you have one of the best possible diagnoses.  Once you have the WLE, you will be disease-free and the probability of ever having to deal with melanoma again is very, very small.  I'm not sure of the exact percentage, but I'd say it's close to a 98% chance that you will not have a recurrence.

      Stay aware of your body, and watch for any moles or spots that change, and don't delay in getting them checked.  

      You will be just fine!

      • October 6, 2013 at 11:18 am
      JC
      Participant
        • December 17, 2013 at 12:06 am
        natasha
        Participant

        Hi! I was diagnosed with 0.2 Breslow melanoma 2 years ago and I understand how you feel.

        I think about my melanoma every single day even after 2 years.

        I already had 2 pathologies done by different clinics and now I am doing pathology number 3 as it is some questions in my report .

        Docs say it should not come back as it is very thin. I just hope so

        • December 17, 2013 at 12:06 am
        natasha
        Participant

        Hi! I was diagnosed with 0.2 Breslow melanoma 2 years ago and I understand how you feel.

        I think about my melanoma every single day even after 2 years.

        I already had 2 pathologies done by different clinics and now I am doing pathology number 3 as it is some questions in my report .

        Docs say it should not come back as it is very thin. I just hope so

        • December 17, 2013 at 12:06 am
        natasha
        Participant

        Hi! I was diagnosed with 0.2 Breslow melanoma 2 years ago and I understand how you feel.

        I think about my melanoma every single day even after 2 years.

        I already had 2 pathologies done by different clinics and now I am doing pathology number 3 as it is some questions in my report .

        Docs say it should not come back as it is very thin. I just hope so

      • October 6, 2013 at 11:18 am
      JC
      Participant
      • October 6, 2013 at 11:18 am
      JC
      Participant
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