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Whoda thunk?
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Whoda thunk?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Whoda thunk?

  • Post
    • May 10, 2013 at 4:35 pm
    KnowThyself
    Participant

      Hello All,

      I am new to this forum…well, ANY forum for that matter, and I am also new to Melanoma… REALLY new. Biopsy last month, re-excision last week…Another reexcision scheduled at the end of the month…Pathology folks sent my last excision on for a second opinion… But so far, have been told it is level II stage t1A (on the outer ear helix)…..will have more detail when the second opinion comes back within a week… 

      Hello All,

      I am new to this forum…well, ANY forum for that matter, and I am also new to Melanoma… REALLY new. Biopsy last month, re-excision last week…Another reexcision scheduled at the end of the month…Pathology folks sent my last excision on for a second opinion… But so far, have been told it is level II stage t1A (on the outer ear helix)…..will have more detail when the second opinion comes back within a week… 

      Not only have I read an overabundance of melanoma-related information in the last month, but I have become overwhelmed, almost consumed by it. I do realize I am at an extremely early stage, and I don't feel right to 'complain' in comparison to some of these stories I have read, but I feel compelled to at least 'vent' and gather more info, from real people (not just google) and opinions, stories, reassurance of sorts. Im past the point of worrying and having a downward spiral of emotion and morbid thoughts, now I'm at the point of 'how will you fix me?'…… And I understand at this kind of early stage, it is very fixable, but it has since opened the door to another realm of questioning…..

      Could this other freckle be cancer? Is this little bump in my neck a swollen node? And all of the sudden, Ive developed crazy abdominal issues in the past month or two…. irregular vaginal bleeding, cramping, pain, gas, constipation, insane bloating (like my pants dont fit) occasional dizziness, extreme fatigue….. I have had suspected cancer cells removed from my cervix before (a common procedure, turned out to be nothing) but now it's like I wont be satisfied until I get some sort of full body scan to make sure I haven't missed anything else…

      Everyone is very supportive, and telling me it will be fine, but even before I was diagnosed, I was told it was nothing. Even my doctor I initially went to said "it doesnt look like malnoma, which is good, you dont want that, it's pretty much incurable, a death sentence"….YES he said those EXACT words!!! I know this is not true, and maybe he was trying too hard to prove his confidence, but even from the beginning, i just kind of "KNEW" that it was…. And now, i just kind of 'KNOW' that this isn't the whole story…..

       

      Please….thoughts?

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        • May 10, 2013 at 5:04 pm
        JC
        Participant

          If it's level II, Stage IA. . then that is pretty early and probably will be ok after excision.  Is there a 100% guarantee of anything?  No.  But, maybe 95%.

          • May 10, 2013 at 5:04 pm
          JC
          Participant

            If it's level II, Stage IA. . then that is pretty early and probably will be ok after excision.  Is there a 100% guarantee of anything?  No.  But, maybe 95%.

            • May 10, 2013 at 5:04 pm
            JC
            Participant

              If it's level II, Stage IA. . then that is pretty early and probably will be ok after excision.  Is there a 100% guarantee of anything?  No.  But, maybe 95%.

              • May 10, 2013 at 5:20 pm
              washoegal
              Participant

                So sorry you have joined us but good for you for catching Melanoma early.  I think most people go though a bit a paranoia after being diagnosed.  Hopefully, it passes.  I believe it is part of the grieving process, recognizing that you are not immortal.  The internet search is an attempt to gain control but it really doesn't help after a point especially at your stage.  OK, so there's my dime store psychiatry.wink

                 

                What you need to know is that you are a very low risk to reoccurrence.  You should practice sun safety and find yourself a good dermatologist.  Other than that try to move on.  It's time to go celebrate life!

                  • May 10, 2013 at 5:37 pm
                  KnowThyself
                  Participant

                    Thank you, and that is the advice I have been given the most, is to keep living life, and move forward and be optimistic… And that advice is correct, I suppose no matter the outlook, good like mine, or not so good like so many others, it really boils down to quality…Hard to steer clear of the morbid corner, but to succumb to fear and anticipation of the worst is not much of a life at all..

                     

                    Thanks again, I'll be updating and checking in often, my best wishes to everyone..

                    • May 10, 2013 at 5:37 pm
                    KnowThyself
                    Participant

                      Thank you, and that is the advice I have been given the most, is to keep living life, and move forward and be optimistic… And that advice is correct, I suppose no matter the outlook, good like mine, or not so good like so many others, it really boils down to quality…Hard to steer clear of the morbid corner, but to succumb to fear and anticipation of the worst is not much of a life at all..

                       

                      Thanks again, I'll be updating and checking in often, my best wishes to everyone..

                      • May 10, 2013 at 5:37 pm
                      KnowThyself
                      Participant

                        Thank you, and that is the advice I have been given the most, is to keep living life, and move forward and be optimistic… And that advice is correct, I suppose no matter the outlook, good like mine, or not so good like so many others, it really boils down to quality…Hard to steer clear of the morbid corner, but to succumb to fear and anticipation of the worst is not much of a life at all..

                         

                        Thanks again, I'll be updating and checking in often, my best wishes to everyone..

                      • May 10, 2013 at 5:20 pm
                      washoegal
                      Participant

                        So sorry you have joined us but good for you for catching Melanoma early.  I think most people go though a bit a paranoia after being diagnosed.  Hopefully, it passes.  I believe it is part of the grieving process, recognizing that you are not immortal.  The internet search is an attempt to gain control but it really doesn't help after a point especially at your stage.  OK, so there's my dime store psychiatry.wink

                         

                        What you need to know is that you are a very low risk to reoccurrence.  You should practice sun safety and find yourself a good dermatologist.  Other than that try to move on.  It's time to go celebrate life!

                        • May 10, 2013 at 5:20 pm
                        washoegal
                        Participant

                          So sorry you have joined us but good for you for catching Melanoma early.  I think most people go though a bit a paranoia after being diagnosed.  Hopefully, it passes.  I believe it is part of the grieving process, recognizing that you are not immortal.  The internet search is an attempt to gain control but it really doesn't help after a point especially at your stage.  OK, so there's my dime store psychiatry.wink

                           

                          What you need to know is that you are a very low risk to reoccurrence.  You should practice sun safety and find yourself a good dermatologist.  Other than that try to move on.  It's time to go celebrate life!

                          • May 10, 2013 at 5:22 pm
                          JC
                          Participant

                            Life is a death sentence

                              • May 10, 2013 at 5:38 pm
                              KnowThyself
                              Participant

                                ummm wow…. I am sorry you feel that way, I certainly don't.

                                • May 10, 2013 at 5:38 pm
                                KnowThyself
                                Participant

                                  ummm wow…. I am sorry you feel that way, I certainly don't.

                                  • May 10, 2013 at 5:38 pm
                                  KnowThyself
                                  Participant

                                    ummm wow…. I am sorry you feel that way, I certainly don't.

                                  • May 10, 2013 at 5:22 pm
                                  JC
                                  Participant

                                    Life is a death sentence

                                    • May 10, 2013 at 5:22 pm
                                    JC
                                    Participant

                                      Life is a death sentence

                                      • May 10, 2013 at 7:16 pm
                                      JC
                                      Participant

                                        I just mean in response to what your Dr said. . .we all are going to die of something so his/her words were ridiculous

                                        • May 10, 2013 at 7:16 pm
                                        JC
                                        Participant

                                          I just mean in response to what your Dr said. . .we all are going to die of something so his/her words were ridiculous

                                            • May 10, 2013 at 7:27 pm
                                            KnowThyself
                                            Participant

                                              True… Yes, I was surprised to hear him say that, seems how no diagnosis has been made yet, it was only his guess that it WASNT melanoma, and it actually turned out to be. Had I not done my own research and known the diagnosis did not mean my inevitable death, his words would have rung in my ears until someone told me different… Amazing.

                                              • May 10, 2013 at 7:27 pm
                                              KnowThyself
                                              Participant

                                                True… Yes, I was surprised to hear him say that, seems how no diagnosis has been made yet, it was only his guess that it WASNT melanoma, and it actually turned out to be. Had I not done my own research and known the diagnosis did not mean my inevitable death, his words would have rung in my ears until someone told me different… Amazing.

                                                • May 10, 2013 at 7:28 pm
                                                KnowThyself
                                                Participant

                                                  correction "no diagnosis *had* been made yet, at that point…

                                                  • May 10, 2013 at 7:28 pm
                                                  KnowThyself
                                                  Participant

                                                    correction "no diagnosis *had* been made yet, at that point…

                                                    • May 10, 2013 at 7:28 pm
                                                    KnowThyself
                                                    Participant

                                                      correction "no diagnosis *had* been made yet, at that point…

                                                      • May 10, 2013 at 7:27 pm
                                                      KnowThyself
                                                      Participant

                                                        True… Yes, I was surprised to hear him say that, seems how no diagnosis has been made yet, it was only his guess that it WASNT melanoma, and it actually turned out to be. Had I not done my own research and known the diagnosis did not mean my inevitable death, his words would have rung in my ears until someone told me different… Amazing.

                                                      • May 10, 2013 at 7:16 pm
                                                      JC
                                                      Participant

                                                        I just mean in response to what your Dr said. . .we all are going to die of something so his/her words were ridiculous

                                                        • May 12, 2013 at 8:22 am
                                                        Sandy11
                                                        Participant

                                                          Some physicians seem to look past the patient and check their people skills at the door.  The important thing is that he/she is good at what they do.  My husband's doc said, "At least you know what is going to kill you"… geez.  He's been a great doctor and is one of the best in his field so we're happy to over look his "mouth and foot disease".  We'll that was over 4 years ago.  My husband is stage IV and we just returned from Disneyland.  

                                                          It sounds like you were diagnosed early; which is very good and there has been much success at the early stages. Digging around for information and being consumed by the news is normal.  Hopefully, you can begin to relax a bit soon.  Be aware that much of the data is old and based on past results prior to the latest treatments.  There are lots of new treatments on the horizon and other new ones that are being used.  The long term results have yet to be published, but preliminary info looks good.    I hope your final results in a week are wonderful and offer you relief from the scare.

                                                          Take care and hang in there…

                                                          • May 12, 2013 at 8:22 am
                                                          Sandy11
                                                          Participant

                                                            Some physicians seem to look past the patient and check their people skills at the door.  The important thing is that he/she is good at what they do.  My husband's doc said, "At least you know what is going to kill you"… geez.  He's been a great doctor and is one of the best in his field so we're happy to over look his "mouth and foot disease".  We'll that was over 4 years ago.  My husband is stage IV and we just returned from Disneyland.  

                                                            It sounds like you were diagnosed early; which is very good and there has been much success at the early stages. Digging around for information and being consumed by the news is normal.  Hopefully, you can begin to relax a bit soon.  Be aware that much of the data is old and based on past results prior to the latest treatments.  There are lots of new treatments on the horizon and other new ones that are being used.  The long term results have yet to be published, but preliminary info looks good.    I hope your final results in a week are wonderful and offer you relief from the scare.

                                                            Take care and hang in there…

                                                            • May 12, 2013 at 8:22 am
                                                            Sandy11
                                                            Participant

                                                              Some physicians seem to look past the patient and check their people skills at the door.  The important thing is that he/she is good at what they do.  My husband's doc said, "At least you know what is going to kill you"… geez.  He's been a great doctor and is one of the best in his field so we're happy to over look his "mouth and foot disease".  We'll that was over 4 years ago.  My husband is stage IV and we just returned from Disneyland.  

                                                              It sounds like you were diagnosed early; which is very good and there has been much success at the early stages. Digging around for information and being consumed by the news is normal.  Hopefully, you can begin to relax a bit soon.  Be aware that much of the data is old and based on past results prior to the latest treatments.  There are lots of new treatments on the horizon and other new ones that are being used.  The long term results have yet to be published, but preliminary info looks good.    I hope your final results in a week are wonderful and offer you relief from the scare.

                                                              Take care and hang in there…

                                                          Viewing 14 reply threads
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