Sacred about diagnosis

Hi Mike,

I gotta admit I like your topic typo! In an odd way, there is almost something "sacred" about a melanoma diagnosis, as it can certainly move you closer to God, move you to really examine your life and maybe reprioritize it, and learn just how precious life is. I know I thought I knew a lot b.c. (before cancer).

That said, Welcome. I'm glad you have faith in your doctors. Please make sure they're melanoma specialists. That will make a huge difference.

A very good strategy for dealing with this disease is to maintain a healthy body and outlook. Yes, it's scary and there's every good reason to approach it with fear and trembling…but get that out of your system so you can have a positive focus. Don't let being scared get the best of you and become paralyzing. You need to keep a clear head so you can make the best decisions you can for you.

Don't be afraid to seek a second or even third opinion if you feel it's a good idea. And, take a trusted soul, wife, girlfriend, a second set of ears on every appointment you go on and make sure that person hears everything you hear.

You can do this. And you're not alone.

Lord, in Your mercy, walk with Mike through this season. Open doors that will lead to right treatments and close those that are not for him. Calm his fears and give him the assurance he's not alone and this is do-able. Thank You God. Amen and Amen!

Grace and peace,

Carol

Hi Mike,

I gotta admit I like your topic typo! In an odd way, there is almost something "sacred" about a melanoma diagnosis, as it can certainly move you closer to God, move you to really examine your life and maybe reprioritize it, and learn just how precious life is. I know I thought I knew a lot b.c. (before cancer).

That said, Welcome. I'm glad you have faith in your doctors. Please make sure they're melanoma specialists. That will make a huge difference.

A very good strategy for dealing with this disease is to maintain a healthy body and outlook. Yes, it's scary and there's every good reason to approach it with fear and trembling…but get that out of your system so you can have a positive focus. Don't let being scared get the best of you and become paralyzing. You need to keep a clear head so you can make the best decisions you can for you.

Don't be afraid to seek a second or even third opinion if you feel it's a good idea. And, take a trusted soul, wife, girlfriend, a second set of ears on every appointment you go on and make sure that person hears everything you hear.

You can do this. And you're not alone.

Lord, in Your mercy, walk with Mike through this season. Open doors that will lead to right treatments and close those that are not for him. Calm his fears and give him the assurance he's not alone and this is do-able. Thank You God. Amen and Amen!

Grace and peace,

Carol

Hi Mike,

I too have been recently diagnosed 6/2/11.  I had my WLE 6/8/11, my lymph nodes were clear as well.  My tumor was 14mm breslow clarks V and ulcerated.  Stage 2C.  It's very scary and I know all too well how you feel.  Was your tumor ulcerated?  I just got back from San Francisco where I saw specialists for treatment recommendations.  They're recommending Interferon because my tumor was ulcerated.  For some reason it works better on ulcerated tumors.  Anyway as far as "dealing" with this disease I've been staying informed and staying positive.  We are only stage 2!  I know it doesn't make it any easier but there are plenty of things to remain optimistic and positive about.  Your nodes were clear, your scans were clear!  VERY GOOD!!    There are many people that are beating this disease at stage IV!!  I've realized that I can't let this consume me with what ifs!  It's stress you don't need!  I asked my doctor for xanax to help with the anxiety.  It helped for a couple weeks but now I don't need it.  Your very lucky that your tumor didn't metastisize.  There are plenty of people that don't recur and I'm considering myself one of those lucky ones that won't!!  Stay positive and try not to let it consume your life!! 

Take care and keep posted on your treatments! 

Denise

Hi Mike,

I too have been recently diagnosed 6/2/11.  I had my WLE 6/8/11, my lymph nodes were clear as well.  My tumor was 14mm breslow clarks V and ulcerated.  Stage 2C.  It's very scary and I know all too well how you feel.  Was your tumor ulcerated?  I just got back from San Francisco where I saw specialists for treatment recommendations.  They're recommending Interferon because my tumor was ulcerated.  For some reason it works better on ulcerated tumors.  Anyway as far as "dealing" with this disease I've been staying informed and staying positive.  We are only stage 2!  I know it doesn't make it any easier but there are plenty of things to remain optimistic and positive about.  Your nodes were clear, your scans were clear!  VERY GOOD!!    There are many people that are beating this disease at stage IV!!  I've realized that I can't let this consume me with what ifs!  It's stress you don't need!  I asked my doctor for xanax to help with the anxiety.  It helped for a couple weeks but now I don't need it.  Your very lucky that your tumor didn't metastisize.  There are plenty of people that don't recur and I'm considering myself one of those lucky ones that won't!!  Stay positive and try not to let it consume your life!! 

Take care and keep posted on your treatments! 

Denise

Hi Mike,

 I would add that you need to get copies of everything done to you, i.e.; pathology reports, blood tests, etc. Do as much research as possible so you make informed decisions. It helped me to read some good books on how to battle melanoma daily with a healthy lifestyle. Some books I'd recommend are, "Challenge Cancer and Win", "Beating Cancer with Nutrition", "Foods to Fight Cancer" and "Anti Cancer, A New Way of Life". You will find alot of support here.

 God Bless,

 Jim M.

 stage 3C

Hi Mike,

 I would add that you need to get copies of everything done to you, i.e.; pathology reports, blood tests, etc. Do as much research as possible so you make informed decisions. It helped me to read some good books on how to battle melanoma daily with a healthy lifestyle. Some books I'd recommend are, "Challenge Cancer and Win", "Beating Cancer with Nutrition", "Foods to Fight Cancer" and "Anti Cancer, A New Way of Life". You will find alot of support here.

 God Bless,

 Jim M.

 stage 3C

Hi Mike.

Welcome to the forum no-one wants to be a member of by choice.

Do you have a copy of your pathology report? If you have any further questions, post it here and someone will assist you further.

One reason I am asking is that if you read one of my earlier responses to a post from DeniseK, I asked if her melanoma was ulcerated or not, as some studies show that interferon responds better to a ulcerated tumor.

You can read the post here: I have included information from ASCO and other sources. The post is dated 6/23/2011.

https://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/ulceration-why-important-factor#comment-19088

Here is part of the post you may find interesting:

There is one ray of light in this. Some studies have shown that a ulcerated melanoma may have a better chance of response to adjuvant interferon therapy. This and several trials is what you should discuss with your doctor.

From ASCO 2009:

Ulceration of primary melanoma and responsiveness to adjuvant interferon therapy. This was presented by Dr. Lex Eggermont of the EORTC. It was chock full of data and I couldn’t get it all down fast enough (as Dr. Eggermont said, “fasten your seat belts”). However, the data were very consistent. Basically, in reviewing the recent EORTC experience with adjuvant interferon, either standard Intron or the newer long-acting PEG-Intron (not yet approved in USA), they found that primary melanoma ulceration is very strongly associated with clinical benefit from either interferon therapy. In fact, patients whose melanoma lacked ulceration apparently derived NO benefit from interferon therapy. The numbers: in 2644 combined patients from two most recent trials, ulcerated melanoma patients had a 25% reduction in recurrence risk which was statistically significant. This benefit was even greater for patients with minimal lymph node disease, ie 0-1 lymph nodes involved, with a 31% reduction in recurrence and a 42% reduction in death rate. This is very impressive, since usually the RFS improvement dwarfs the impact on OS! This benefit almost disappeared for ulcerated melanomas with multiple lymph node involvement (N2) and completely disappeared for non-ulcerated melanomas.

Here are a few more you may wish to read:

http://www.asco.org/ascov2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=65&abstractID=32368

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20739846

Good luck, and keep the board posted.

Michael 1B

Hi Mike.

Welcome to the forum no-one wants to be a member of by choice.

Do you have a copy of your pathology report? If you have any further questions, post it here and someone will assist you further.

One reason I am asking is that if you read one of my earlier responses to a post from DeniseK, I asked if her melanoma was ulcerated or not, as some studies show that interferon responds better to a ulcerated tumor.

You can read the post here: I have included information from ASCO and other sources. The post is dated 6/23/2011.

https://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/ulceration-why-important-factor#comment-19088

Here is part of the post you may find interesting:

There is one ray of light in this. Some studies have shown that a ulcerated melanoma may have a better chance of response to adjuvant interferon therapy. This and several trials is what you should discuss with your doctor.

From ASCO 2009:

Ulceration of primary melanoma and responsiveness to adjuvant interferon therapy. This was presented by Dr. Lex Eggermont of the EORTC. It was chock full of data and I couldn’t get it all down fast enough (as Dr. Eggermont said, “fasten your seat belts”). However, the data were very consistent. Basically, in reviewing the recent EORTC experience with adjuvant interferon, either standard Intron or the newer long-acting PEG-Intron (not yet approved in USA), they found that primary melanoma ulceration is very strongly associated with clinical benefit from either interferon therapy. In fact, patients whose melanoma lacked ulceration apparently derived NO benefit from interferon therapy. The numbers: in 2644 combined patients from two most recent trials, ulcerated melanoma patients had a 25% reduction in recurrence risk which was statistically significant. This benefit was even greater for patients with minimal lymph node disease, ie 0-1 lymph nodes involved, with a 31% reduction in recurrence and a 42% reduction in death rate. This is very impressive, since usually the RFS improvement dwarfs the impact on OS! This benefit almost disappeared for ulcerated melanomas with multiple lymph node involvement (N2) and completely disappeared for non-ulcerated melanomas.

Here are a few more you may wish to read:

http://www.asco.org/ascov2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=65&abstractID=32368

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20739846

Good luck, and keep the board posted.

Michael 1B

My heart goes out to you.  Here is my story…I'm having a PET scan this Thursday and SLNB and wide excision on 8/11.  Right now I'm considered Stage 1A (.8mm) pending final biopsey as they still aren't 100% is melanoma b/c of conflicitng path reports.  Big concern is that mole came back after removal in 2005.

I tell you my saga as I'm absolutely terrified too.  Though I can't give you any answers, I can tell you are not alone in your fears.  I'm new to this and there is alot of information and compassion in this community board.

I'll keep you in my prayers and many hugs to you….its so hard.  I know that like me, you have a lot to live for..don't forget that.  Its great that you have faith in your doctors…that's a big part of the battle in positive thinking.  Please keep us posted in your progress and know that you are not alone.

Nicole

My heart goes out to you.  Here is my story…I'm having a PET scan this Thursday and SLNB and wide excision on 8/11.  Right now I'm considered Stage 1A (.8mm) pending final biopsey as they still aren't 100% is melanoma b/c of conflicitng path reports.  Big concern is that mole came back after removal in 2005.

I tell you my saga as I'm absolutely terrified too.  Though I can't give you any answers, I can tell you are not alone in your fears.  I'm new to this and there is alot of information and compassion in this community board.

I'll keep you in my prayers and many hugs to you….its so hard.  I know that like me, you have a lot to live for..don't forget that.  Its great that you have faith in your doctors…that's a big part of the battle in positive thinking.  Please keep us posted in your progress and know that you are not alone.

Nicole

My heart goes out to you.  Here is my story…I'm having a PET scan this Thursday and SLNB and wide excision on 8/11.  Right now I'm considered Stage 1A (.8mm) pending final biopsey as they still aren't 100% is melanoma b/c of conflicitng path reports.  Big concern is that mole came back after removal in 2005.

I tell you my saga as I'm absolutely terrified too.  Though I can't give you any answers, I can tell you are not alone in your fears.  I'm new to this and there is alot of information and compassion in this community board.

I'll keep you in my prayers and many hugs to you….its so hard.  I know that like me, you have a lot to live for..don't forget that.  Its great that you have faith in your doctors…that's a big part of the battle in positive thinking.  Please keep us posted in your progress and know that you are not alone.

Nicole

My heart goes out to you.  Here is my story…I'm having a PET scan this Thursday and SLNB and wide excision on 8/11.  Right now I'm considered Stage 1A (.8mm) pending final biopsey as they still aren't 100% is melanoma b/c of conflicitng path reports.  Big concern is that mole came back after removal in 2005.

I tell you my saga as I'm absolutely terrified too.  Though I can't give you any answers, I can tell you are not alone in your fears.  I'm new to this and there is alot of information and compassion in this community board.

I'll keep you in my prayers and many hugs to you….its so hard.  I know that like me, you have a lot to live for..don't forget that.  Its great that you have faith in your doctors…that's a big part of the battle in positive thinking.  Please keep us posted in your progress and know that you are not alone.

Nicole

I am Stage 3 from an unknown primary tumor.  My first strategy was "act like if you do all the right things your tumor won't come back."  Well, that didn't quite work.  The tumor is back.

That said, I believe there are two things you can do for yourself:  arm your mind and body for the fight.  Arm your mind by reading carefully, coming here to talk and share, and trying to learn from some of the exceptionally knowledgeable people who come to this site.  Arm your body by doing things you believe will give you better physical tools, whether that involves eating better, working out more, or making changes in your life to minimize outside stresses.  Either change will equip you better for the fight.  Either change will also help you feel empowered, which helps in its own right.

Others turn to religious faith, which doesn't work for me but does for others.

One final note:  doctors make mistakes, too.  I have faith in mine, but I also read and try to learn.  I have already had an oncologist not mention something she should have (I suspect she simply didn't do enough homework).  You will do better if you ask lots of questions (naive, informed, they're all good) and keep learning about your disease.

I am Stage 3 from an unknown primary tumor.  My first strategy was "act like if you do all the right things your tumor won't come back."  Well, that didn't quite work.  The tumor is back.

That said, I believe there are two things you can do for yourself:  arm your mind and body for the fight.  Arm your mind by reading carefully, coming here to talk and share, and trying to learn from some of the exceptionally knowledgeable people who come to this site.  Arm your body by doing things you believe will give you better physical tools, whether that involves eating better, working out more, or making changes in your life to minimize outside stresses.  Either change will equip you better for the fight.  Either change will also help you feel empowered, which helps in its own right.

Others turn to religious faith, which doesn't work for me but does for others.

One final note:  doctors make mistakes, too.  I have faith in mine, but I also read and try to learn.  I have already had an oncologist not mention something she should have (I suspect she simply didn't do enough homework).  You will do better if you ask lots of questions (naive, informed, they're all good) and keep learning about your disease.