anp21

As someone with anxiety, hearing the word oncologist alone took me to a higher level.  As my dermatologist explained to me, she had scheduled me an appointment with a surgical oncologist.  She was also "going to see if Dr. Tarhini, an oncologist,can pop in to see you while you are with the surgeon."  I found it odd and was taken aback.  Everything I had researched and heard up unto that point had been – WLE completed by a surgeon and done.  But I thought, oh well, he'll just shore up what I already know. The next day, Hillman Cancer Center called to confirm my "appointment" with Dr. Tarhini.  I didn't panic, I just figured it was for billing purposes.  Let's be real – no doc is just "popping in" to give his thoughts on my case.  Anyway, when I finally went to my appointments, my surgeon basically confirmed what I had been told by two previous doctors, and all of my independent research – WLE.  He then said that he did NOT feel it necessary to complete a SLNB due to my age, but he'd leave it up to Dr. Tarhini.  When Dr. Tarhini came in, he explained that he wanted to do the WLE, SLNB and a PET scan.  To say I was floored would be putting it mildly.  Now I'm dealing with something way more involved when I didn't think it was going to be that way.  I didn't prepare myself to hear that information or come with questions, because at no point did anyone or anything hint that someone with my diagnosis would require a SLNB, let alone a PET scan.  Luckily, my mother, a medical assistant, was with me and asked if it was because of my mitotic rate (1).  He said yes, that it was that one thing that concerned him enough to do further testing.  

After feeling so defeated and depressed the rest of that day, the next morning I woke up and contacted Dr. Tarhini's office.  I left a message stating I wanted further clarification.  His PA called me back and I asked her why they decided on this treatment for me.  She stated that it was to complete staging and determine if I need any additional treatment.  She said that they perform SLNB's on any patient with a melanoma larger that .50mm and/or mitotic rate of 1or >.  (Mine is .59 & 1 mitotic rate.) I don't know that I felt any better after speaking with her but I understood that I wasn't the exception to the rule, for whatever reason, and I guess that calmed me slightly.

Ultimately, I am conflicted.  I do not want unnecessary surgery or raditation.  However, I do find peace in the fact that after this I will be equipped with the most accurate picture of my prognosis.  One thing that keeps sticking in my mind is the fact that I signed off to be a participant in a study.  It seemed like an okay idea at the time; if I would need additional treatment, I could be entered into trials.  But it gives me pause, because I wonder, even based on the responses I've received on this thread alone, that its a little above and beyond the typical treatment for someone in my shoes.  

As someone with anxiety, hearing the word oncologist alone took me to a higher level.  As my dermatologist explained to me, she had scheduled me an appointment with a surgical oncologist.  She was also "going to see if Dr. Tarhini, an oncologist,can pop in to see you while you are with the surgeon."  I found it odd and was taken aback.  Everything I had researched and heard up unto that point had been – WLE completed by a surgeon and done.  But I thought, oh well, he'll just shore up what I already know. The next day, Hillman Cancer Center called to confirm my "appointment" with Dr. Tarhini.  I didn't panic, I just figured it was for billing purposes.  Let's be real – no doc is just "popping in" to give his thoughts on my case.  Anyway, when I finally went to my appointments, my surgeon basically confirmed what I had been told by two previous doctors, and all of my independent research – WLE.  He then said that he did NOT feel it necessary to complete a SLNB due to my age, but he'd leave it up to Dr. Tarhini.  When Dr. Tarhini came in, he explained that he wanted to do the WLE, SLNB and a PET scan.  To say I was floored would be putting it mildly.  Now I'm dealing with something way more involved when I didn't think it was going to be that way.  I didn't prepare myself to hear that information or come with questions, because at no point did anyone or anything hint that someone with my diagnosis would require a SLNB, let alone a PET scan.  Luckily, my mother, a medical assistant, was with me and asked if it was because of my mitotic rate (1).  He said yes, that it was that one thing that concerned him enough to do further testing.  

After feeling so defeated and depressed the rest of that day, the next morning I woke up and contacted Dr. Tarhini's office.  I left a message stating I wanted further clarification.  His PA called me back and I asked her why they decided on this treatment for me.  She stated that it was to complete staging and determine if I need any additional treatment.  She said that they perform SLNB's on any patient with a melanoma larger that .50mm and/or mitotic rate of 1or >.  (Mine is .59 & 1 mitotic rate.) I don't know that I felt any better after speaking with her but I understood that I wasn't the exception to the rule, for whatever reason, and I guess that calmed me slightly.

Ultimately, I am conflicted.  I do not want unnecessary surgery or raditation.  However, I do find peace in the fact that after this I will be equipped with the most accurate picture of my prognosis.  One thing that keeps sticking in my mind is the fact that I signed off to be a participant in a study.  It seemed like an okay idea at the time; if I would need additional treatment, I could be entered into trials.  But it gives me pause, because I wonder, even based on the responses I've received on this thread alone, that its a little above and beyond the typical treatment for someone in my shoes.  

As someone with anxiety, hearing the word oncologist alone took me to a higher level.  As my dermatologist explained to me, she had scheduled me an appointment with a surgical oncologist.  She was also "going to see if Dr. Tarhini, an oncologist,can pop in to see you while you are with the surgeon."  I found it odd and was taken aback.  Everything I had researched and heard up unto that point had been – WLE completed by a surgeon and done.  But I thought, oh well, he'll just shore up what I already know. The next day, Hillman Cancer Center called to confirm my "appointment" with Dr. Tarhini.  I didn't panic, I just figured it was for billing purposes.  Let's be real – no doc is just "popping in" to give his thoughts on my case.  Anyway, when I finally went to my appointments, my surgeon basically confirmed what I had been told by two previous doctors, and all of my independent research – WLE.  He then said that he did NOT feel it necessary to complete a SLNB due to my age, but he'd leave it up to Dr. Tarhini.  When Dr. Tarhini came in, he explained that he wanted to do the WLE, SLNB and a PET scan.  To say I was floored would be putting it mildly.  Now I'm dealing with something way more involved when I didn't think it was going to be that way.  I didn't prepare myself to hear that information or come with questions, because at no point did anyone or anything hint that someone with my diagnosis would require a SLNB, let alone a PET scan.  Luckily, my mother, a medical assistant, was with me and asked if it was because of my mitotic rate (1).  He said yes, that it was that one thing that concerned him enough to do further testing.  

After feeling so defeated and depressed the rest of that day, the next morning I woke up and contacted Dr. Tarhini's office.  I left a message stating I wanted further clarification.  His PA called me back and I asked her why they decided on this treatment for me.  She stated that it was to complete staging and determine if I need any additional treatment.  She said that they perform SLNB's on any patient with a melanoma larger that .50mm and/or mitotic rate of 1or >.  (Mine is .59 & 1 mitotic rate.) I don't know that I felt any better after speaking with her but I understood that I wasn't the exception to the rule, for whatever reason, and I guess that calmed me slightly.

Ultimately, I am conflicted.  I do not want unnecessary surgery or raditation.  However, I do find peace in the fact that after this I will be equipped with the most accurate picture of my prognosis.  One thing that keeps sticking in my mind is the fact that I signed off to be a participant in a study.  It seemed like an okay idea at the time; if I would need additional treatment, I could be entered into trials.  But it gives me pause, because I wonder, even based on the responses I've received on this thread alone, that its a little above and beyond the typical treatment for someone in my shoes.  

I would have to agree with you that I've seen changes in a couple moles/freckles since pregnancy.  There is a freckle on my arm that I am concerned about, and when I go in on Monday the surgeon is going to take a look.  If he's concerned they will just take it while I'm having my WLE on my leg.  I definitely intend to have more children, if I could be so blessed.  I pray that the one on my arm is nothing; one melanoma is ENOUGH. 

I would have to agree with you that I've seen changes in a couple moles/freckles since pregnancy.  There is a freckle on my arm that I am concerned about, and when I go in on Monday the surgeon is going to take a look.  If he's concerned they will just take it while I'm having my WLE on my leg.  I definitely intend to have more children, if I could be so blessed.  I pray that the one on my arm is nothing; one melanoma is ENOUGH. 

I would have to agree with you that I've seen changes in a couple moles/freckles since pregnancy.  There is a freckle on my arm that I am concerned about, and when I go in on Monday the surgeon is going to take a look.  If he's concerned they will just take it while I'm having my WLE on my leg.  I definitely intend to have more children, if I could be so blessed.  I pray that the one on my arm is nothing; one melanoma is ENOUGH. 

Austine, 

Many prayers of healing to you. I am happy to hear things went well for you and will keep you and your journey towards a family in my thoughts. I greatly appreciate your input, as hearing other stories similar to mine helps me to know I'm not alone and gives me hope. The info that I'm finding about pregnancy and melanoma is alarming. Definitely a good thing to know for the future. You are absolutely right in the "not knowing" part being the worst. I feel like when I am equipped with all of the knowledge I will feel more calm. I am cautiously optimistic at this point and wish I could just fast forward through all of the waiting..

Austine, 

Many prayers of healing to you. I am happy to hear things went well for you and will keep you and your journey towards a family in my thoughts. I greatly appreciate your input, as hearing other stories similar to mine helps me to know I'm not alone and gives me hope. The info that I'm finding about pregnancy and melanoma is alarming. Definitely a good thing to know for the future. You are absolutely right in the "not knowing" part being the worst. I feel like when I am equipped with all of the knowledge I will feel more calm. I am cautiously optimistic at this point and wish I could just fast forward through all of the waiting..

Austine, 

Many prayers of healing to you. I am happy to hear things went well for you and will keep you and your journey towards a family in my thoughts. I greatly appreciate your input, as hearing other stories similar to mine helps me to know I'm not alone and gives me hope. The info that I'm finding about pregnancy and melanoma is alarming. Definitely a good thing to know for the future. You are absolutely right in the "not knowing" part being the worst. I feel like when I am equipped with all of the knowledge I will feel more calm. I am cautiously optimistic at this point and wish I could just fast forward through all of the waiting..

I appreciate your candidness.  I do not need "candy coated" right now, so thank you for that.  The link about women <40 and pregnancy is quite interesting.  Is it suggesting that there is a correlation between pregnancy and melanoma?  After getting over the initial shock of the melanoma diagnosis, and then understanding I would be having a WLE, it was tougher to swallow that I had to have more tests and additional surgery.  Once I got over the initial shock of THAT, I did feel that this way, I would be 100% sure what was going on.  I doubt I would be able to relax completely if I didn't have the SNB at this point.  I'd be terrified they missed something and my anxiety would be crippling.  If there is really no drawback to doing the SNB, then I don't see why not.

What I am curious is about is the suggestion that the removal of the positive node would not change or improve my survival.  The PA and Oncologist did say that my staging would change if the node were positive, so I understand that. But removing the node would not increase my chances of survival?  I guess I'm confused. 

I appreciate your candidness.  I do not need "candy coated" right now, so thank you for that.  The link about women <40 and pregnancy is quite interesting.  Is it suggesting that there is a correlation between pregnancy and melanoma?  After getting over the initial shock of the melanoma diagnosis, and then understanding I would be having a WLE, it was tougher to swallow that I had to have more tests and additional surgery.  Once I got over the initial shock of THAT, I did feel that this way, I would be 100% sure what was going on.  I doubt I would be able to relax completely if I didn't have the SNB at this point.  I'd be terrified they missed something and my anxiety would be crippling.  If there is really no drawback to doing the SNB, then I don't see why not.

What I am curious is about is the suggestion that the removal of the positive node would not change or improve my survival.  The PA and Oncologist did say that my staging would change if the node were positive, so I understand that. But removing the node would not increase my chances of survival?  I guess I'm confused. 

I appreciate your candidness.  I do not need "candy coated" right now, so thank you for that.  The link about women <40 and pregnancy is quite interesting.  Is it suggesting that there is a correlation between pregnancy and melanoma?  After getting over the initial shock of the melanoma diagnosis, and then understanding I would be having a WLE, it was tougher to swallow that I had to have more tests and additional surgery.  Once I got over the initial shock of THAT, I did feel that this way, I would be 100% sure what was going on.  I doubt I would be able to relax completely if I didn't have the SNB at this point.  I'd be terrified they missed something and my anxiety would be crippling.  If there is really no drawback to doing the SNB, then I don't see why not.

What I am curious is about is the suggestion that the removal of the positive node would not change or improve my survival.  The PA and Oncologist did say that my staging would change if the node were positive, so I understand that. But removing the node would not increase my chances of survival?  I guess I'm confused.