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- November 21, 2010 at 4:00 am
Just based on the little bit I know, that is pretty good news. I saw my Hematologist/Oncologist on Friday, because I have been battling Anemia for a while now. I took him a copy of my path report and he said that a low rate of mitosis is good, that means it is not spreading fast. He did say that it is typically recommended to have a SNB for clarks level 4, i think over 1mm, signs of ulceration, so they may recommend that you have that done. I had more moles biopsied this last tuesday…so waiting for those results. I am having my surgery on the 30th since they are waiting for those biopsies. Well that is about the extent of my knowledge on the subject 🙂 As two doctors have told me this week…..make sure you get checked every 3 months. Good luck to you on your surgery. My mom went to the mayo clinic in Rochester to have an esophogeal tumor removed…they are absolutely amazing!!
Kellie
so far Stage 1a
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- November 21, 2010 at 4:00 am
Just based on the little bit I know, that is pretty good news. I saw my Hematologist/Oncologist on Friday, because I have been battling Anemia for a while now. I took him a copy of my path report and he said that a low rate of mitosis is good, that means it is not spreading fast. He did say that it is typically recommended to have a SNB for clarks level 4, i think over 1mm, signs of ulceration, so they may recommend that you have that done. I had more moles biopsied this last tuesday…so waiting for those results. I am having my surgery on the 30th since they are waiting for those biopsies. Well that is about the extent of my knowledge on the subject 🙂 As two doctors have told me this week…..make sure you get checked every 3 months. Good luck to you on your surgery. My mom went to the mayo clinic in Rochester to have an esophogeal tumor removed…they are absolutely amazing!!
Kellie
so far Stage 1a
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- November 21, 2010 at 3:38 am
Mary,
I thought the same thing when I found out last week that I have Melanoma…..I dont spend alot of time in the sun..it never worked well for me. I have two colors white and red, no tan! I have learned that mine is from a genetic disorder (dysplastic nevi syndrome). In the last month I have had 12 moles removed. The first two sessions resulted in 8 being removed all but one came back as dysplastic nevi….that one was melanoma. I switched doctors after my diagnosis and she removed 4 more tuesday. I am scheduled for my surgery on the 30th (they are waiting for my biopsy results to come back so they can do all necessary surgeries at once). This waiting absolutely SUCKS!! The other thing that I find sucks is people thinking that Melanoma is no big deal. I have found that many people think that all skin cancer is harmless and all you have to do is have the mole removed and go on with your life. It has gotten a little tiring when I am stressed and worried having to explain to most people what Melanoma really is, and that it is a big deal!
I am glad to see that everything came back well for you, I am hoping for the same news!
Kellie
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- November 21, 2010 at 3:38 am
Mary,
I thought the same thing when I found out last week that I have Melanoma…..I dont spend alot of time in the sun..it never worked well for me. I have two colors white and red, no tan! I have learned that mine is from a genetic disorder (dysplastic nevi syndrome). In the last month I have had 12 moles removed. The first two sessions resulted in 8 being removed all but one came back as dysplastic nevi….that one was melanoma. I switched doctors after my diagnosis and she removed 4 more tuesday. I am scheduled for my surgery on the 30th (they are waiting for my biopsy results to come back so they can do all necessary surgeries at once). This waiting absolutely SUCKS!! The other thing that I find sucks is people thinking that Melanoma is no big deal. I have found that many people think that all skin cancer is harmless and all you have to do is have the mole removed and go on with your life. It has gotten a little tiring when I am stressed and worried having to explain to most people what Melanoma really is, and that it is a big deal!
I am glad to see that everything came back well for you, I am hoping for the same news!
Kellie
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- November 14, 2010 at 12:18 am
Dave,
I hope to that your doctor made an error on your stage. I think I am glad my doctors office had no other information for me rather than for them to give me incorrect information, or information to just freak me out more over the weekend. I am also going to get my pathology reports Monday, and I should be hearing from the other doctors office I am going to. They said they would call me to discuss surgery and stuff on Monday.
I hope you are making it through the weekend ok….I know for myself I had to use some retail therapy!
Kellie
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- November 14, 2010 at 12:18 am
Dave,
I hope to that your doctor made an error on your stage. I think I am glad my doctors office had no other information for me rather than for them to give me incorrect information, or information to just freak me out more over the weekend. I am also going to get my pathology reports Monday, and I should be hearing from the other doctors office I am going to. They said they would call me to discuss surgery and stuff on Monday.
I hope you are making it through the weekend ok….I know for myself I had to use some retail therapy!
Kellie
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- November 14, 2010 at 12:05 am
Linda,
I am switching doctors for a couple reasons. First, after my first round of biopsies came back abnormal they suggested a full body scan. I went in the following week for that and the PA did NOT check my whole body. At that time I didn't know any different, I didn't know that she should have checked my scalp, she didn't measure any of them and for the amount of moles I have they certainly didn't take any pictures. I also had on a gown and my undergarments and if there was an area covered by clothing she didnt really check it. And while I am glad they did call and tell me the news before the weekend so I didn't have to continue to wait I do not like how they did it. I was in our copy room at work when I got the phone call, the nurse asked if it was me I said yes, she identified herself and then immediately said "I am sorry to have to tell you that you have Melanoma." I was in a busy area around alot of people and just started crying which I normally do not do in front of people. She started telling me what needs to be done from here and blah blah blah….no time to process anything. Also I have a friend that used to be a nurse at this dermatologist office and she said that his bedside manner is pretty bad and he can be pretty inconsiderate of his patients. The other thing is that since it is pretty likely I have Dysplastic Nevi Syndrome the Cancer Genetists I am working with suggested I see a doctor who deals with that often.
I am not looking forward to the surgery, but I am hoping to get a complete body check and to know exactly where I stand in all of this.
Kellie
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- November 14, 2010 at 12:05 am
Linda,
I am switching doctors for a couple reasons. First, after my first round of biopsies came back abnormal they suggested a full body scan. I went in the following week for that and the PA did NOT check my whole body. At that time I didn't know any different, I didn't know that she should have checked my scalp, she didn't measure any of them and for the amount of moles I have they certainly didn't take any pictures. I also had on a gown and my undergarments and if there was an area covered by clothing she didnt really check it. And while I am glad they did call and tell me the news before the weekend so I didn't have to continue to wait I do not like how they did it. I was in our copy room at work when I got the phone call, the nurse asked if it was me I said yes, she identified herself and then immediately said "I am sorry to have to tell you that you have Melanoma." I was in a busy area around alot of people and just started crying which I normally do not do in front of people. She started telling me what needs to be done from here and blah blah blah….no time to process anything. Also I have a friend that used to be a nurse at this dermatologist office and she said that his bedside manner is pretty bad and he can be pretty inconsiderate of his patients. The other thing is that since it is pretty likely I have Dysplastic Nevi Syndrome the Cancer Genetists I am working with suggested I see a doctor who deals with that often.
I am not looking forward to the surgery, but I am hoping to get a complete body check and to know exactly where I stand in all of this.
Kellie
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- November 11, 2010 at 4:14 am
I live in Lincoln, NE and don't know of any Melanoma experts necessarilly. The cancer genetists is out of Omaha and she recommended I see a dermatologist therethat she has worked with in the past on people who have Dysplastic Nevi Syndrome. I am thinking that once I get my pathology reports back I will make an appointment with that dr and let him handle it. I am hoping for the best and will let you know what I find out (hopefully tomorrow!!)
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- November 11, 2010 at 4:14 am
I live in Lincoln, NE and don't know of any Melanoma experts necessarilly. The cancer genetists is out of Omaha and she recommended I see a dermatologist therethat she has worked with in the past on people who have Dysplastic Nevi Syndrome. I am thinking that once I get my pathology reports back I will make an appointment with that dr and let him handle it. I am hoping for the best and will let you know what I find out (hopefully tomorrow!!)
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- November 11, 2010 at 3:36 am
Linda,
Thank you for replying back to me. I called the office Monday, results werent back yet, called again today…still not back. I am beginning to wonder if they know what its like to have someone tell you that they think you have Melanoma, but hey you need to wait weeks upon weeks to know for sure. The cancer genetists (I know I am spelling that wrong) told me I need to go to a Dermatologist who will do an accurate full body check and measure the moles. Can I ask you what NED means? When you were first diagnosed with Melanoma…what was the next steps? How do they assure that it hasn't spread to anywhere else? Thank you again for reading my rambling
Kellie
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- November 11, 2010 at 3:36 am
Linda,
Thank you for replying back to me. I called the office Monday, results werent back yet, called again today…still not back. I am beginning to wonder if they know what its like to have someone tell you that they think you have Melanoma, but hey you need to wait weeks upon weeks to know for sure. The cancer genetists (I know I am spelling that wrong) told me I need to go to a Dermatologist who will do an accurate full body check and measure the moles. Can I ask you what NED means? When you were first diagnosed with Melanoma…what was the next steps? How do they assure that it hasn't spread to anywhere else? Thank you again for reading my rambling
Kellie
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