amberstewart

Update: good news! I talked with my derm after she received the pathology report. Not melanoma this time (yay!!), but it was moderately abnormal. She said typically, they just keep an eye on those, but because of my history her recommendation (as well as the pathologist’s) is to excise the area. I agree with that and now have so much peace of mind now. Not looking forward to another scar, but so blessed it’s nothing more serious at this time. Thanks for all the kind and encouraging words!

-Amber

Same to you, LRS88!! I’m just taking it day by day and trying to find comfort in statistics (such a small chance of it spreading to my lymph nodes). But it’s difficult. I’m trying to stay positive and just monitor my existing moles. I actually was having so much anxiety that I gave myself a stomach ulcer…but until I had a doctor confirm it was an ulcer I was just SO SURE the melanoma had spread to my abdomen. It didn’t, but that seems to be where my mind goes anytime I have an ache or pain now. Please know that I am praying for you! Your peace of mind and also your father-in-law! I am glad to hear that he’s in great spirits because I just don’t know if I could ever do that….I’m a worrier by nature. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you ever need to talk!

Momand2kids…you’re awesome! I can’t imagine going through 2 other types of cancer as well as melanoma! What a trooper!

There are people with much worse prognosis than mine, so I do feel grateful for that. I have thought about seeing a therapist or counselor. I have some friends who have done it for a season, and then I have friends who go every week. They’ve also said it’s been great for them, so thank you for suggesting that! Your words are so appreciated!!

Thank you so much! This was reassuring to hear. Initially after my diagnosis, I feared that having children might not be an option (I’ve heard that sometimes pregnancy can trigger dormant cancer cells…not sure about stats or anything). I feel hopeful that I’ll move past it one day at a time, but I’m still a little paranoid. Congrats on your little bundle!!!

Thank you so much, Erika! I certainly share your fear of other moles I have being melanoma. I have a lot of abnormal moles. I’m trying to keep calm and not google! It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who has fears about other melanomas. Even though (from what I’ve read) it’s somewhat rare for people to have multiple primary melanomas, I know I’ve noticed a lot of people here have had multiple. I have a few moles that I personally am keeping an eye on. I know melanoma is a lot easier to treat if it’s caught early.

I spent my teens and early 20s laying in tanning beds. I’ve had a decent amount of sunburns. I figured I’d eventually get BCC or Squamous, but never thought I’d get melanoma (at least not this early). I have red hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and my grandfather had melanoma. So, I check nearly every box that doctors use to identify people at risk. I can’t help but feel I did this to myself with some of my tan-chasing habits. I do live in Alabama where it is HOTTTT pretty much all the time, so some sun exposure is going to happen. We also live on the lake. But I am certainly taking UV rays much more seriously these days.

Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means so much!