› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Update (michaelinsocal)
- This topic has 6 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 5 months ago by
KMick.
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- December 4, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Hello all. It's been one year since my diagnosis of maligement melanoma just before Thanksgiving of 2013.
The primary was contained in a pinto size growth I had on the outer part of my left ankle, just below the ankle bone. The site was given a breslow depth of 4.2mm. What was unique in my case was that I had the growth since my early 20's. It appeared on the left side of my ankle and grew rather quickly (within 2-3 years) and then stopped. For 20 years it never changed shape or color. It was looked at from previous doctors as nothing to be concerned about. In September 2013, I had a hernia repair surgery. For the first fee weeks my wife had to help me put on socks and that's when she noticed a tiny speck of black smack in the middle of my growth. With her encouragement, I went to my primary doctor who shaved it which led to the diagnosis.
In Dec 2013 I had a WLE done along with a SNB with a subsequent skin Granth to cover up the half dollar size area created by the WLE. The sentinel node biopsy came back for micro traces of melanoma in the lymph node. That lead to a full lymph node dessection on the left side of my groin. The good news in all this was none of the 12 lymph nodes removed were maligement. I'm officially stage 3A. Being off my feet for nearly two months and the physical therapy after the dessection were definite challenges but I weathered it.
I opted to do the 12 month Interferon. I'm half way through it now. The first 3 weeks of high dosage was a roller coaster. By the fourth week I had such bad anxiety, depression and flu like symptoms the Dr had to stop the high dosage and gave me a two week break. Since then it's been weekly self injected shots which have been tolerable and have been put on Remeron (anti depressant) and take Ativan as needed for the axiety.
Some days are better than others. I know see my oncologist every three months along with my dermatologist as well as follow up with my surgical oncologist.
I realize I am at high risk for reoccurrence but I'm keeping my head up and living my life. I feel I have a good team of doctors watching me. I'm vigilant and so should you. Once we learn to conquer the reality that we'll love with this disease the rest of our lives, the better we can not let it dominate our lives. I'm 41 years old and not ready to leave this earth.
So there you have it. Live life to the fullest!
mike
PS if anyone near me in the Coachella valley portion of Southern California has recently been diagnosed, I recommend the following Doctors.
Dr Hyams surgical oncologist
Dr Amy Law Oncologist
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- December 5, 2014 at 4:16 am
Hey Michael, I have followed your story since you first posted for a few reasons; one you look like you could be related to me with your fair skin and hair coloring, two your melanoma was on your lower extremity in an existing mole like mine (mine was on the top of my left foot in a mole that had been there since I was a kid), three you got a skin graft like me (ouch) and four you work in the grocery business in the Coachella Valley like me.
Fortunately my SLN pathology was negative however it was still recommended that I do the year of interferon due to the size of my lesion. After researching it and getting a second opinion I opted for the watch and wait and I too am seen by an oncologist and dermatologist every three months. Next appointment is next week.
I am glad to hear that all things considered you seem to be doing well. Hang in there, I understand the anxiety. There are days that I am completely consumed by thoughts of melanoma and then are are days that I am annoyed that I wasted a day of good health worrying about melanoma. Hard to find a balance but for me it's getting better.
KMick
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- December 5, 2014 at 4:16 am
Hey Michael, I have followed your story since you first posted for a few reasons; one you look like you could be related to me with your fair skin and hair coloring, two your melanoma was on your lower extremity in an existing mole like mine (mine was on the top of my left foot in a mole that had been there since I was a kid), three you got a skin graft like me (ouch) and four you work in the grocery business in the Coachella Valley like me.
Fortunately my SLN pathology was negative however it was still recommended that I do the year of interferon due to the size of my lesion. After researching it and getting a second opinion I opted for the watch and wait and I too am seen by an oncologist and dermatologist every three months. Next appointment is next week.
I am glad to hear that all things considered you seem to be doing well. Hang in there, I understand the anxiety. There are days that I am completely consumed by thoughts of melanoma and then are are days that I am annoyed that I wasted a day of good health worrying about melanoma. Hard to find a balance but for me it's getting better.
KMick
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- December 5, 2014 at 4:16 am
Hey Michael, I have followed your story since you first posted for a few reasons; one you look like you could be related to me with your fair skin and hair coloring, two your melanoma was on your lower extremity in an existing mole like mine (mine was on the top of my left foot in a mole that had been there since I was a kid), three you got a skin graft like me (ouch) and four you work in the grocery business in the Coachella Valley like me.
Fortunately my SLN pathology was negative however it was still recommended that I do the year of interferon due to the size of my lesion. After researching it and getting a second opinion I opted for the watch and wait and I too am seen by an oncologist and dermatologist every three months. Next appointment is next week.
I am glad to hear that all things considered you seem to be doing well. Hang in there, I understand the anxiety. There are days that I am completely consumed by thoughts of melanoma and then are are days that I am annoyed that I wasted a day of good health worrying about melanoma. Hard to find a balance but for me it's getting better.
KMick
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