Fen

Wonderful news!

Ted – you've gotten lots of good info from others so I just want to interject a little optimism.  I had the same thing 15 years ago and I'm fine with no recurrence.  Treatments today are so much better than they were.  Hoping for the best for you and your wife.  There's light on the other side of both your treatments.

Fen

Absolutely!  Celeste, you have changed disease trajectories and soothed so many troubled souls with your knowledge and kindness.  I would also like to thank everone else on this board for their contributions.  I can't think of a more giving, caring group of people who have done so much good with words.  thank you all.

Ahhh, Julie, I'm sorry about your diagnosis.  Janner is right – try to stay off the internet and don't worry before you have something to worry about – it is very likely that your SLNB will be negative.   Walk, exercise, talk to friends, read a book, have a glass of wine – do anything to distract yourself.  You might get online just once to look for breathing techniques to help you calm down.  Good luck!

I am so sorry to hear about your additional diagnosis.  I had breast cancer first then melanoma (stage 3-ish unknown primary) the following year.  That was in 2005 and treatments for both cancers have improved significantly since that time. Wishing you the best of luck in your upcoming treatments and also reminding you that people do live through this and get to live with our good friend NED

So happy to read your post!  Congrats on NED and Jedd.

Fen

Learn something.  Guitar, oil painting, bird ID (Cornell Labs has a great website).  Keeps your mind occupied and your neurons firing.

good luck.

I agree with Eric.  If they're even mentioning interferon you should be cautious about their recommendations. Get a second opinion. 

Wonderful news!  Celebrate.

Why would the location of the melanoma affect the outcome?  Just curious.

Don't give it another thought.  Find a new derm and don't make any more appointments with this one.  It happens all the time.  Good for you for being vigiliant with your moles.

Thinking of and praying for you, Janis.  So very sorry for you, Shane, and your family.

I am sorry you're here – especially sorry since your dr. mis-diagnosed.  Important question, though – where are you being treated?  It is crucial that you see a melanoma specialist not just a regular oncologist.  You can find one from the MRFs website.  

Best of luck and keep us updated.

Fen

One of the many good things about this discussion group is the members' ability to discuss calmly and politely.   If you cannot do this it might be best if you refrain from posting.

thanks for the info