› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Worrying does not empty tomorrow of it’s trouble – It empties TODAY of it’s strength – Mary Engelbreit
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Minnesota.
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- January 10, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Just a quote a ran across today, it brought me back here….
Just a quote a ran across today, it brought me back here….
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- January 12, 2012 at 4:37 pm
It's a great quote, and very true. Hope your appt. goes well today and that you like your surgeon as much as I liked mine after meeting her.
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- January 12, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Thanks Paula – I met with him and he seems personable and knowledgable. His attitude was basically one step at a time. Do the SNB, and hope that I am in the 90%, if not, we deal with that when it comes. I was a little disappointed, he can't get me in for surgery until the 24th because he will be out of the office for a week, however, he didn't 'seem' overly concerned nor did the nurse that spoke to me prior to him. He checked lymphnodes under my arms and in my groin, and stated that I wasn't swollen. He told me the hardest part would be waiting for the results (4 days). The nurse told me some positie things, however, in the back of my mind I know anything can happen and every situation is different. My husband wants me to go to Sloan, however, I told him, just let me get the surgery, if I am in the 10% then I will seek out additional opinions and treatment options. How are YOU doing?
Kelli
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- January 13, 2012 at 1:22 am
Hi –
Sounds like it went good, and the 24th is only 5 days (and only 3 work days) after me. We have a lot less people here, so maybe that's actually quick for where you live. Will he re-excise your leg at that time too?
What positive things did the nurse tell you? Do you feel a little better knowing that its set up? I have finally quit crying at random moments and feel like things are more like they were before I got hit with this bomb.
I got the impression that I am going to know if there is cancer in the sentinel and any of the others that the dye might go to while I am in the operating room. They are going to do a frozen section(?) right then. If going to Sloan makes that happen, I would see someone there – hopefully someone will read this and tell me if my thinking is wrong, but if they need to take out more lymph nodes, it would be a lot better to do it at the same time. I know they still send it/them to a lab after the surgery, so maybe that's what he meant about the 4 days. I asked my surgeon if there are false positives on the testing they do that day and she said no.
I had my pre-op appt. with my main doctor today, and that was sad, because he's been my doctor for a long time and really cares about me. I think he would rather me have any other kind of cancer, but he does have two patients with melanoma who have done really well, despite everything that's happened to them along the way. One was a mom who just had a baby when it appeared, and she's had two serious mets since (I can't spell the whole word, and I don't know the plural form). He said she says she doesn't care what anyone says, she is going to raise her kids and see them grow up.
Your J3 friend Paula
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- January 13, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Hi J3 Paula,
Yes, it went pretty well, all things considered. It is my understanding that I will get the dye for mapping, and then be taken to OR for yes the wide excision and SNB. I I will have approx a 5inch incision on my where they are taking the mole, smaller in the groin…the least of my worries. 1 day in and out. He told me I would have results in four days that they cut the node into a billion pieces looking for abnormal cells. The nurse practitioner went over the pathology results with me and answered any immediate questions I had. She told me that the best part of my pathology was that the ulceration was ‘absent’. Overall she was being positive, saying that the Clarks level was no longer looked at, now it was mitotic rate, and since mine was a 1, that was a good thing, but she kept saying about the ulceration. She mentioned that people have come in with Mitotic rates in the teens and nodes have been clear, then I mentioned (typical me), and I am sure there have been people with less than 1 that have come back with unclear nodes…she said, every case is different but we are going to be positive.
Why would you say that you feel your primary doctor would rather have you have any type of cancer other than melanoma? This isn’t the worst cancer out there, is it? Now you have me scared again. Aren’t there people that just have the SNB and move along in life just fine? Is melanoma fatal? Just a matter of time…I have read on this site some people that are living 20+ years with it….
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- January 13, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Hi J3 Paula,
Yes, it went pretty well, all things considered. It is my understanding that I will get the dye for mapping, and then be taken to OR for yes the wide excision and SNB. I I will have approx a 5inch incision on my where they are taking the mole, smaller in the groin…the least of my worries. 1 day in and out. He told me I would have results in four days that they cut the node into a billion pieces looking for abnormal cells. The nurse practitioner went over the pathology results with me and answered any immediate questions I had. She told me that the best part of my pathology was that the ulceration was ‘absent’. Overall she was being positive, saying that the Clarks level was no longer looked at, now it was mitotic rate, and since mine was a 1, that was a good thing, but she kept saying about the ulceration. She mentioned that people have come in with Mitotic rates in the teens and nodes have been clear, then I mentioned (typical me), and I am sure there have been people with less than 1 that have come back with unclear nodes…she said, every case is different but we are going to be positive.
Why would you say that you feel your primary doctor would rather have you have any type of cancer other than melanoma? This isn’t the worst cancer out there, is it? Now you have me scared again. Aren’t there people that just have the SNB and move along in life just fine? Is melanoma fatal? Just a matter of time…I have read on this site some people that are living 20+ years with it….
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- January 13, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Hi J3 Paula,
Yes, it went pretty well, all things considered. It is my understanding that I will get the dye for mapping, and then be taken to OR for yes the wide excision and SNB. I I will have approx a 5inch incision on my where they are taking the mole, smaller in the groin…the least of my worries. 1 day in and out. He told me I would have results in four days that they cut the node into a billion pieces looking for abnormal cells. The nurse practitioner went over the pathology results with me and answered any immediate questions I had. She told me that the best part of my pathology was that the ulceration was ‘absent’. Overall she was being positive, saying that the Clarks level was no longer looked at, now it was mitotic rate, and since mine was a 1, that was a good thing, but she kept saying about the ulceration. She mentioned that people have come in with Mitotic rates in the teens and nodes have been clear, then I mentioned (typical me), and I am sure there have been people with less than 1 that have come back with unclear nodes…she said, every case is different but we are going to be positive.
Why would you say that you feel your primary doctor would rather have you have any type of cancer other than melanoma? This isn’t the worst cancer out there, is it? Now you have me scared again. Aren’t there people that just have the SNB and move along in life just fine? Is melanoma fatal? Just a matter of time…I have read on this site some people that are living 20+ years with it….
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- January 13, 2012 at 10:34 pm
I am so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! I think my doctor feels that way because it's a lot rarer, so not as much research has went into it. He's watched other cancers benefit so much from awareness and research.
I'll write more later – have snoopy kids over my shoulder now.
Both of us have no ulceration – yay!
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- January 13, 2012 at 10:34 pm
I am so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! I think my doctor feels that way because it's a lot rarer, so not as much research has went into it. He's watched other cancers benefit so much from awareness and research.
I'll write more later – have snoopy kids over my shoulder now.
Both of us have no ulceration – yay!
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- January 13, 2012 at 10:34 pm
I am so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! I think my doctor feels that way because it's a lot rarer, so not as much research has went into it. He's watched other cancers benefit so much from awareness and research.
I'll write more later – have snoopy kids over my shoulder now.
Both of us have no ulceration – yay!
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- January 14, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Good morning – I feel so bad about scaring you, I sure didn't meant to, and didn't mean it that way. My doctor just wanted to be able to give me as much info. as he had, and he knows a lot more about more common cancers.
I'm going to have a big scar too. I don't mind. Both the surgeon and my regular doctor saw on my pathology report that I have clear margins now because the derm did an excision, but they aren't far enough away for melanoma.
I was glad to read that someone had a mitotic rate in the teens and their lymph nodes were clear – thanks 🙂 I think the reason the medical staff here are acting alarmed about mine being high is because it's Mayo Clinic's latest thing – maybe they get hung up on something for awhile.
Hope you have a good weekend, we finally got some snow in Minnesota and its very cold – last weekend we did our walking outside, and some people were even mowing. That's never happened in January in my entire life. I'll be thinking of you, and this next week will go fast and soon we'll both know a lot more about what is going on with us.
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- January 14, 2012 at 6:41 pm
hi P~
This is a roller coaster ride, isn't it? Up then down….I don't mind about the scars either…..cut away is what I say…get it all.
It is snowing here in NJ. I was so warm last weekend and now it's 32 and snowing. I guess the winter has finally hit. Having a good day emotionally today, hope you are as well. I read your last post about nodes being clear and then met's on the brain. I am sure if you continue looking there is a story for every situation. I suppose, to your doctors point, is what makes this cancer so elusive. It never seems to act the exact same in everyone. We can only do what we can do. As everyone says, be diligent in our follow up and just pay attention to EVERYTHING. Have a great weekend!
J3K
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- January 14, 2012 at 8:17 pm
I hope that other post didn't sound negative, I am just trying to understand this, and so much doesn't make sense.
I am doing good emotionally today too – I would like to do something fun, but its snowing here too, and I don't know what we could do. Several hours later, and I'm still in the same room lol
J3P 🙂
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- January 14, 2012 at 8:17 pm
I hope that other post didn't sound negative, I am just trying to understand this, and so much doesn't make sense.
I am doing good emotionally today too – I would like to do something fun, but its snowing here too, and I don't know what we could do. Several hours later, and I'm still in the same room lol
J3P 🙂
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- January 14, 2012 at 8:17 pm
I hope that other post didn't sound negative, I am just trying to understand this, and so much doesn't make sense.
I am doing good emotionally today too – I would like to do something fun, but its snowing here too, and I don't know what we could do. Several hours later, and I'm still in the same room lol
J3P 🙂
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- January 14, 2012 at 6:41 pm
hi P~
This is a roller coaster ride, isn't it? Up then down….I don't mind about the scars either…..cut away is what I say…get it all.
It is snowing here in NJ. I was so warm last weekend and now it's 32 and snowing. I guess the winter has finally hit. Having a good day emotionally today, hope you are as well. I read your last post about nodes being clear and then met's on the brain. I am sure if you continue looking there is a story for every situation. I suppose, to your doctors point, is what makes this cancer so elusive. It never seems to act the exact same in everyone. We can only do what we can do. As everyone says, be diligent in our follow up and just pay attention to EVERYTHING. Have a great weekend!
J3K
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- January 14, 2012 at 6:41 pm
hi P~
This is a roller coaster ride, isn't it? Up then down….I don't mind about the scars either…..cut away is what I say…get it all.
It is snowing here in NJ. I was so warm last weekend and now it's 32 and snowing. I guess the winter has finally hit. Having a good day emotionally today, hope you are as well. I read your last post about nodes being clear and then met's on the brain. I am sure if you continue looking there is a story for every situation. I suppose, to your doctors point, is what makes this cancer so elusive. It never seems to act the exact same in everyone. We can only do what we can do. As everyone says, be diligent in our follow up and just pay attention to EVERYTHING. Have a great weekend!
J3K
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- January 14, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Good morning – I feel so bad about scaring you, I sure didn't meant to, and didn't mean it that way. My doctor just wanted to be able to give me as much info. as he had, and he knows a lot more about more common cancers.
I'm going to have a big scar too. I don't mind. Both the surgeon and my regular doctor saw on my pathology report that I have clear margins now because the derm did an excision, but they aren't far enough away for melanoma.
I was glad to read that someone had a mitotic rate in the teens and their lymph nodes were clear – thanks 🙂 I think the reason the medical staff here are acting alarmed about mine being high is because it's Mayo Clinic's latest thing – maybe they get hung up on something for awhile.
Hope you have a good weekend, we finally got some snow in Minnesota and its very cold – last weekend we did our walking outside, and some people were even mowing. That's never happened in January in my entire life. I'll be thinking of you, and this next week will go fast and soon we'll both know a lot more about what is going on with us.
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- January 14, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Good morning – I feel so bad about scaring you, I sure didn't meant to, and didn't mean it that way. My doctor just wanted to be able to give me as much info. as he had, and he knows a lot more about more common cancers.
I'm going to have a big scar too. I don't mind. Both the surgeon and my regular doctor saw on my pathology report that I have clear margins now because the derm did an excision, but they aren't far enough away for melanoma.
I was glad to read that someone had a mitotic rate in the teens and their lymph nodes were clear – thanks 🙂 I think the reason the medical staff here are acting alarmed about mine being high is because it's Mayo Clinic's latest thing – maybe they get hung up on something for awhile.
Hope you have a good weekend, we finally got some snow in Minnesota and its very cold – last weekend we did our walking outside, and some people were even mowing. That's never happened in January in my entire life. I'll be thinking of you, and this next week will go fast and soon we'll both know a lot more about what is going on with us.
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- January 13, 2012 at 1:22 am
Hi –
Sounds like it went good, and the 24th is only 5 days (and only 3 work days) after me. We have a lot less people here, so maybe that's actually quick for where you live. Will he re-excise your leg at that time too?
What positive things did the nurse tell you? Do you feel a little better knowing that its set up? I have finally quit crying at random moments and feel like things are more like they were before I got hit with this bomb.
I got the impression that I am going to know if there is cancer in the sentinel and any of the others that the dye might go to while I am in the operating room. They are going to do a frozen section(?) right then. If going to Sloan makes that happen, I would see someone there – hopefully someone will read this and tell me if my thinking is wrong, but if they need to take out more lymph nodes, it would be a lot better to do it at the same time. I know they still send it/them to a lab after the surgery, so maybe that's what he meant about the 4 days. I asked my surgeon if there are false positives on the testing they do that day and she said no.
I had my pre-op appt. with my main doctor today, and that was sad, because he's been my doctor for a long time and really cares about me. I think he would rather me have any other kind of cancer, but he does have two patients with melanoma who have done really well, despite everything that's happened to them along the way. One was a mom who just had a baby when it appeared, and she's had two serious mets since (I can't spell the whole word, and I don't know the plural form). He said she says she doesn't care what anyone says, she is going to raise her kids and see them grow up.
Your J3 friend Paula
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- January 13, 2012 at 1:22 am
Hi –
Sounds like it went good, and the 24th is only 5 days (and only 3 work days) after me. We have a lot less people here, so maybe that's actually quick for where you live. Will he re-excise your leg at that time too?
What positive things did the nurse tell you? Do you feel a little better knowing that its set up? I have finally quit crying at random moments and feel like things are more like they were before I got hit with this bomb.
I got the impression that I am going to know if there is cancer in the sentinel and any of the others that the dye might go to while I am in the operating room. They are going to do a frozen section(?) right then. If going to Sloan makes that happen, I would see someone there – hopefully someone will read this and tell me if my thinking is wrong, but if they need to take out more lymph nodes, it would be a lot better to do it at the same time. I know they still send it/them to a lab after the surgery, so maybe that's what he meant about the 4 days. I asked my surgeon if there are false positives on the testing they do that day and she said no.
I had my pre-op appt. with my main doctor today, and that was sad, because he's been my doctor for a long time and really cares about me. I think he would rather me have any other kind of cancer, but he does have two patients with melanoma who have done really well, despite everything that's happened to them along the way. One was a mom who just had a baby when it appeared, and she's had two serious mets since (I can't spell the whole word, and I don't know the plural form). He said she says she doesn't care what anyone says, she is going to raise her kids and see them grow up.
Your J3 friend Paula
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- January 12, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Thanks Paula – I met with him and he seems personable and knowledgable. His attitude was basically one step at a time. Do the SNB, and hope that I am in the 90%, if not, we deal with that when it comes. I was a little disappointed, he can't get me in for surgery until the 24th because he will be out of the office for a week, however, he didn't 'seem' overly concerned nor did the nurse that spoke to me prior to him. He checked lymphnodes under my arms and in my groin, and stated that I wasn't swollen. He told me the hardest part would be waiting for the results (4 days). The nurse told me some positie things, however, in the back of my mind I know anything can happen and every situation is different. My husband wants me to go to Sloan, however, I told him, just let me get the surgery, if I am in the 10% then I will seek out additional opinions and treatment options. How are YOU doing?
Kelli
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- January 12, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Thanks Paula – I met with him and he seems personable and knowledgable. His attitude was basically one step at a time. Do the SNB, and hope that I am in the 90%, if not, we deal with that when it comes. I was a little disappointed, he can't get me in for surgery until the 24th because he will be out of the office for a week, however, he didn't 'seem' overly concerned nor did the nurse that spoke to me prior to him. He checked lymphnodes under my arms and in my groin, and stated that I wasn't swollen. He told me the hardest part would be waiting for the results (4 days). The nurse told me some positie things, however, in the back of my mind I know anything can happen and every situation is different. My husband wants me to go to Sloan, however, I told him, just let me get the surgery, if I am in the 10% then I will seek out additional opinions and treatment options. How are YOU doing?
Kelli
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