AnxiousDad

Damn. I’ve been away for a bit…just read this. When I am having a bad day, Mike’s posts cheered me up. Reading his words was a true inspiration. He will be missed so much.

I hate to be a grump or fuddy duddy but I don’t like the new look. feels too gaudy.

II do, however love all of you guys and admire all of the warriors out there.

merry Christmas,

 

grumpydad

Damn right you have fans! Really great to read this. You’re an Inspiration to many.

You are an absolute bad ass. Thanks for posting. Feeling a little depressed lately.. but reading your story just made me very happy. Thanks for sharing.

You sound a lot like me. We have it really easy compared to many of the warriors on this forum…yet we still are taking it very hard mentally. I cant really explain it…I know the facts and that I have been lucky with catching it early…but I still stress & worry and over think. Sleepless nights. Depression. Unable to be present with friends & family. Distracted and as you said … frozen. I feel guilty and selfish and even ashamed that this has affected me so much even though it is so minor.

I will say that after two years , things have gotten more normal for me. I’m all worried out. Things wont be the the same but also things have changed for the better because I appreciate little things more now. And I appreciate the big things more too – time with my kids, wife etc..so yes, for me it has subsided.

It’s easier said than done but if you can, stop waiting and worrying and enjoy every day even more. Use this as a motivation to enjoy life more. Worry and wait and frozen is not productive. Take this from someone whose done that…

Best of luck to you..and all warriors fighting this disease at all levels…physically & mentally.

Praying & Thinking of mike & his family. He is my inspiration. A warrior.

Miss your positive energy Mike. Praying for you and thinking of you. Your posts helped me a great deal when I was down in the dumps. You’re a good man.

Great to hear from you. Cant wait to hear your success story from this trial.

Good to hear from you man. I mainly lurk , but your humor and positivity has helped me so much…I just wanted to step out of the shadows and give you a huge hug. Fantastic.

Hi. I’m so sorry you guys are dealing with this…I have two young children , and I have done so much worrying over the last year. Ivevalso got a wife in her 30’s.

When I first was diagnosed a year ago, it wrecked me. Today, we went out to breakfast and I felt real happiness all morning…being with the ones I live most. I couldn’t do that 6 months ago but I could today. I started by enjoying little moments…a hug, a glance…and Im.working my way up.to longer periods of anxiety free time.

For me I think I just needed time to process it…I wish you the best and urge you to enjoy a moment..and build from there. Do not let melanoma steal.any more moments from you…or try to minimize the stolen moments.

There are so many good people here who know a lot about this fight…much more than I do. I just wanted to say that I have a 4 year old and a 7 year old , and while I am not stage IV ..I know how scary, stressful and anxiety inducing melanoma is. I know I speak for a lot of people who normally lurk and dont post a lot in saying our hearts go out to you and we are rooting for you and together with you as you take this on. Just by posting and asking questions you are helping so many others. I’ll be praying and sending you lots of good energy. You got this.

From my understanding…there are mild, moderate , and severe Atypical moles…. yours being only a mild one. That’s really great news. Just keep being vigilant…you hopefully will never have to worry about this again. I think with a ‘mild’ case, it’s pretty normal to not make a special derm appointment…just an annual skin check….and to be blunt…your best skin checker is your wife most likely. You guys caught that one…so keep checking and put your worry behind you. Dont over think this.

I am 46, a father of two boys aged 4 and 7. I recently had a stage 0 on my face. When I went in to the surgeon for the consult, he drew the WLE spot on my face, and gave me a mirror. I said wow, that looks smaller than I thought. He said, yeah..since it’s on your face I thought you might want me to go a little smaller. I said no thanks. Make it as big as you can, I really don’t want to come back….

My spot wasnt my nose, I grant you. But for me it was not a Hard call. Get a safe margin. You’ve got 99% chance of beating this, and living your life melanoma free….

This disease is awful. But you are lucky that yours is a slow grower. My scar is a reminder that I am here, and have another day to enjoy my family.

A great big hug to you. You got this.

That’s a REALLY nice way of saying what I was going to say

Hi,

The main reason for a plastic surgeon would be because it ends up being a lot bigger of a cut than you think it would be. They dont just cut the mole out, they cut a pretty big area around it out…and then have to try to make it look pretty afterward. It’s not too uncommon to have a plastic surgeon do this, especially if it’s around the face or head or other conspicuous area.

I had mine on my temple. I was sent to a head and neck surgeon who did an amazing job stitching me up.

Best of luck, your Brother is so very lucky to.have you.