mcanova

Hi Melissa,

My mel was only 1.06, not ulcerated and lymph node biopsy found only 1 Micro Met, so I'm 3A.  My Dr at MCV/VCU did not think the trauma of Interferon was warranted.  I did my own research and found survival was not significantly increased with Interferon, so we did the scan, check, watch and wait approach.

My 5 year anniversary was last Sept. and I'm still NED!  We'll see in 5 years if I made the right call.

Mike

Hi Melissa,

My mel was only 1.06, not ulcerated and lymph node biopsy found only 1 Micro Met, so I'm 3A.  My Dr at MCV/VCU did not think the trauma of Interferon was warranted.  I did my own research and found survival was not significantly increased with Interferon, so we did the scan, check, watch and wait approach.

My 5 year anniversary was last Sept. and I'm still NED!  We'll see in 5 years if I made the right call.

Mike

Hi Melissa,

My mel was only 1.06, not ulcerated and lymph node biopsy found only 1 Micro Met, so I'm 3A.  My Dr at MCV/VCU did not think the trauma of Interferon was warranted.  I did my own research and found survival was not significantly increased with Interferon, so we did the scan, check, watch and wait approach.

My 5 year anniversary was last Sept. and I'm still NED!  We'll see in 5 years if I made the right call.

Mike

Mike

Mike

Mike

You have come to the right place.  We are all here because we have been through this too.  And this group has an amazing amount of information and experience to share.

About a week after your biopsy, your doctor will call you with the results, which will include the depth of the primary melanoma in mm, and may also mention something called Clarks level (1-4).  The Clarks level is an indicator of the invasion into the dermis, but is somewhat obsolete and is not used as much anymore.  But Clarks level is often confused with Stage, and they not the same.  I went into a panic when I was told that I was level 4 and thought it was the same as Stage 4.  Don't do that.

Try not to worry.  Post again when you hear from your doctor.

We are all here for you.

Mike from Richmond

You have come to the right place.  We are all here because we have been through this too.  And this group has an amazing amount of information and experience to share.

About a week after your biopsy, your doctor will call you with the results, which will include the depth of the primary melanoma in mm, and may also mention something called Clarks level (1-4).  The Clarks level is an indicator of the invasion into the dermis, but is somewhat obsolete and is not used as much anymore.  But Clarks level is often confused with Stage, and they not the same.  I went into a panic when I was told that I was level 4 and thought it was the same as Stage 4.  Don't do that.

Try not to worry.  Post again when you hear from your doctor.

We are all here for you.

Mike from Richmond

You have come to the right place.  We are all here because we have been through this too.  And this group has an amazing amount of information and experience to share.

About a week after your biopsy, your doctor will call you with the results, which will include the depth of the primary melanoma in mm, and may also mention something called Clarks level (1-4).  The Clarks level is an indicator of the invasion into the dermis, but is somewhat obsolete and is not used as much anymore.  But Clarks level is often confused with Stage, and they not the same.  I went into a panic when I was told that I was level 4 and thought it was the same as Stage 4.  Don't do that.

Try not to worry.  Post again when you hear from your doctor.

We are all here for you.

Mike from Richmond

I know that it's hard to wait for information.  It's still a work day for many and they don't check the board all day.  Things will pick up tonight.

Even so,  I'm sure all will say that the SLN biopsy will tell you the next step.  I hope they get you scheduled for that quickly.  You need to be your own advocate and urge the doctors along.  Ask lots of questions.  Get everything you can in writing.  This is a good group and will help you along.

Mike

I know that it's hard to wait for information.  It's still a work day for many and they don't check the board all day.  Things will pick up tonight.

Even so,  I'm sure all will say that the SLN biopsy will tell you the next step.  I hope they get you scheduled for that quickly.  You need to be your own advocate and urge the doctors along.  Ask lots of questions.  Get everything you can in writing.  This is a good group and will help you along.

Mike

I know that it's hard to wait for information.  It's still a work day for many and they don't check the board all day.  Things will pick up tonight.

Even so,  I'm sure all will say that the SLN biopsy will tell you the next step.  I hope they get you scheduled for that quickly.  You need to be your own advocate and urge the doctors along.  Ask lots of questions.  Get everything you can in writing.  This is a good group and will help you along.

Mike

If you review respected sites (not those trying to sell you something), you will read statements similier to this one from the University of Maryland Medical Center:

"There has been a great deal of research on turmeric's anti-cancer properties, but results are still very early. Evidence from test tube and animal studies suggests that curcumin may help prevent or treat several types of cancers, including prostate, breast, skin, and colon cancer. Its preventive effects may be because it is a strong antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. More research is needed. "

Turmeric is very promising, but more testing is needed.  And who normally funds the tests and trials?  The Pharmaceutical industry!  But what incentive does Pharma have to test and trial an herb that can not be patented?  Turmeric has been used for thousands of years for medical purposes.  They can't make big money off of it.

Mike from Richmond

If you review respected sites (not those trying to sell you something), you will read statements similier to this one from the University of Maryland Medical Center:

"There has been a great deal of research on turmeric's anti-cancer properties, but results are still very early. Evidence from test tube and animal studies suggests that curcumin may help prevent or treat several types of cancers, including prostate, breast, skin, and colon cancer. Its preventive effects may be because it is a strong antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. More research is needed. "

Turmeric is very promising, but more testing is needed.  And who normally funds the tests and trials?  The Pharmaceutical industry!  But what incentive does Pharma have to test and trial an herb that can not be patented?  Turmeric has been used for thousands of years for medical purposes.  They can't make big money off of it.

Mike from Richmond

If you review respected sites (not those trying to sell you something), you will read statements similier to this one from the University of Maryland Medical Center:

"There has been a great deal of research on turmeric's anti-cancer properties, but results are still very early. Evidence from test tube and animal studies suggests that curcumin may help prevent or treat several types of cancers, including prostate, breast, skin, and colon cancer. Its preventive effects may be because it is a strong antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. More research is needed. "

Turmeric is very promising, but more testing is needed.  And who normally funds the tests and trials?  The Pharmaceutical industry!  But what incentive does Pharma have to test and trial an herb that can not be patented?  Turmeric has been used for thousands of years for medical purposes.  They can't make big money off of it.

Mike from Richmond