WLE today

Hi,

I'm fairly new ( a few weeks) to this board and it's great for information and support. I'm impressed that you had surgery today and are feeling well enough to post. 

I'm glad your Melanoma was caught early, and your surgery to remove it is finished. Being awake for that seems scary but then you don't have to deal with being so drugged up. Yes, getting this diagnosis is terrifying that's for sure. 

My melanoma was on on my lower leg and just looked like a clear circular blister. I see you've joined the pigmented lesion group at UPENN, was your melanoma a dark color and typical looking? It's good you have a live support group close by. 

I also have a lot of moles from being in the sun and I'm definitely going to be piling on the sunscreen from now on. Nobody likes scars but it's sure better than having cancers. Get some rest. 

Hi,

I'm fairly new ( a few weeks) to this board and it's great for information and support. I'm impressed that you had surgery today and are feeling well enough to post. 

I'm glad your Melanoma was caught early, and your surgery to remove it is finished. Being awake for that seems scary but then you don't have to deal with being so drugged up. Yes, getting this diagnosis is terrifying that's for sure. 

My melanoma was on on my lower leg and just looked like a clear circular blister. I see you've joined the pigmented lesion group at UPENN, was your melanoma a dark color and typical looking? It's good you have a live support group close by. 

I also have a lot of moles from being in the sun and I'm definitely going to be piling on the sunscreen from now on. Nobody likes scars but it's sure better than having cancers. Get some rest. 

Hi,

I'm fairly new ( a few weeks) to this board and it's great for information and support. I'm impressed that you had surgery today and are feeling well enough to post. 

I'm glad your Melanoma was caught early, and your surgery to remove it is finished. Being awake for that seems scary but then you don't have to deal with being so drugged up. Yes, getting this diagnosis is terrifying that's for sure. 

My melanoma was on on my lower leg and just looked like a clear circular blister. I see you've joined the pigmented lesion group at UPENN, was your melanoma a dark color and typical looking? It's good you have a live support group close by. 

I also have a lot of moles from being in the sun and I'm definitely going to be piling on the sunscreen from now on. Nobody likes scars but it's sure better than having cancers. Get some rest. 

My history was very similar to yours. Too many BCCs and SQs to count,  Was told high risk for MM. Studied up on how they develope and how to spot them as early as possible. Spotted my two in-situ's myself. Both times the Derms – first Derm had retired- probably nothing to worry about but we will biopsy to be sure. Both biopsies came back positive.  We were both lucky to find ours early. Now you know the drill and know what to look for. We all need to be our own advocates. Do regular self exams in front of a mirror. Get to know all your moles and then watch for changes in size, shape or color. I choose to be totally responsible for myself. My regular Derm visits are for back up. The first one was the worst because of anxiety,  Now I see it as a challenge to get it before it can get me.  With a little study you can be almost as good at detecting problems as your derm. Even better. We see ourselves daily. The derm has many patients and can't remember everything you may have for moles, etc.  You can keep your eye on them all and get them early!  Try not to worry too much. You dodged a bullet and now you are better prepared.  Anxiety was a problem for me for some time.  I have since survived another major cancer surgery not related to melanoma,  Regular physical exams caught it early enough to survive but required a very difficult surgery and a long recovery,  And then my wife survived breast cancer after lengthy mutiple procedures.  So we helped each other get through some tough times. The old saying that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is true for us. My wife is a dedicated RN who has worked in both ICU and surgery, so we are both able to advise and assist friends and relatives, some of whom are fighting for their lives.  This forum is a very good source of info. I spent a lot of time here back in the early days after the Pattersons started it. A lot of us got to know each other very well and became very close. We had to say goodbye to too many but they will never be forgotten.

My history was very similar to yours. Too many BCCs and SQs to count,  Was told high risk for MM. Studied up on how they develope and how to spot them as early as possible. Spotted my two in-situ's myself. Both times the Derms – first Derm had retired- probably nothing to worry about but we will biopsy to be sure. Both biopsies came back positive.  We were both lucky to find ours early. Now you know the drill and know what to look for. We all need to be our own advocates. Do regular self exams in front of a mirror. Get to know all your moles and then watch for changes in size, shape or color. I choose to be totally responsible for myself. My regular Derm visits are for back up. The first one was the worst because of anxiety,  Now I see it as a challenge to get it before it can get me.  With a little study you can be almost as good at detecting problems as your derm. Even better. We see ourselves daily. The derm has many patients and can't remember everything you may have for moles, etc.  You can keep your eye on them all and get them early!  Try not to worry too much. You dodged a bullet and now you are better prepared.  Anxiety was a problem for me for some time.  I have since survived another major cancer surgery not related to melanoma,  Regular physical exams caught it early enough to survive but required a very difficult surgery and a long recovery,  And then my wife survived breast cancer after lengthy mutiple procedures.  So we helped each other get through some tough times. The old saying that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is true for us. My wife is a dedicated RN who has worked in both ICU and surgery, so we are both able to advise and assist friends and relatives, some of whom are fighting for their lives.  This forum is a very good source of info. I spent a lot of time here back in the early days after the Pattersons started it. A lot of us got to know each other very well and became very close. We had to say goodbye to too many but they will never be forgotten.

My history was very similar to yours. Too many BCCs and SQs to count,  Was told high risk for MM. Studied up on how they develope and how to spot them as early as possible. Spotted my two in-situ's myself. Both times the Derms – first Derm had retired- probably nothing to worry about but we will biopsy to be sure. Both biopsies came back positive.  We were both lucky to find ours early. Now you know the drill and know what to look for. We all need to be our own advocates. Do regular self exams in front of a mirror. Get to know all your moles and then watch for changes in size, shape or color. I choose to be totally responsible for myself. My regular Derm visits are for back up. The first one was the worst because of anxiety,  Now I see it as a challenge to get it before it can get me.  With a little study you can be almost as good at detecting problems as your derm. Even better. We see ourselves daily. The derm has many patients and can't remember everything you may have for moles, etc.  You can keep your eye on them all and get them early!  Try not to worry too much. You dodged a bullet and now you are better prepared.  Anxiety was a problem for me for some time.  I have since survived another major cancer surgery not related to melanoma,  Regular physical exams caught it early enough to survive but required a very difficult surgery and a long recovery,  And then my wife survived breast cancer after lengthy mutiple procedures.  So we helped each other get through some tough times. The old saying that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is true for us. My wife is a dedicated RN who has worked in both ICU and surgery, so we are both able to advise and assist friends and relatives, some of whom are fighting for their lives.  This forum is a very good source of info. I spent a lot of time here back in the early days after the Pattersons started it. A lot of us got to know each other very well and became very close. We had to say goodbye to too many but they will never be forgotten.