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pinky2001
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pinky2001

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      • April 9, 2019 at 3:14 am
      pinky2001
      Participant

        Any other diagnosis unrelated to the melanoma?  Have you had blood work done lately?  How are your platelets?  Have you noticed any petechia (tiny red dots) on your body anywhere?  

        • April 15, 2018 at 1:50 pm
        pinky2001
        Participant

          My insurance company denied the Castle $8,500 claim and it appears they have asked for more information.  I was not advised by my dermatologist that the test was so expensive.  Since I did not have a SLN biopsy, stage 1b, the test result provided some comfort (Decision Dx result was low risk (1a) for mets within 5 years).  I hope my Castle test results prove to be accurate!

          • April 12, 2018 at 11:14 pm
          pinky2001
          Participant

            When in doubt, check it out…it will also reduce your worry.  I am Stage 1b.  I was told to check my lymph nodes monthly and if I feel any lump (pea size) in my nodes, to contact my dermatologist immediately.  Good luck!

            • March 3, 2018 at 4:52 pm
            pinky2001
            Participant

              Lori, similar story…my surgeon didn’t think my melanoma was very deep so only a wide excision was done.  It ended up being .93, Clark level IV, stage1b, which is borderline for having a SNB.  I went for a second opinion to a dermatology center and was advised that the surgery risks were too high to have a SNB, since there is no way to know the actual nodes that were closest to the melanoma.  Everything has been moved around and even if it showed no melanoma in the nodes, who knows if it was actually the node that was the closest to the site.  Please keep us updated, as I am curious what you will learn from your visit.  Thanks for sharing!

              • March 3, 2018 at 4:49 pm
              pinky2001
              Participant

                Lori, similar story…my surgeon didn’t think my melanoma was very deep so only a wide excision was done.  It ended up being .93, Clark level IV, stage1b, which is borderline for having a SNB.  I went for a second opinion to a dermatology center and was advised that the surgery risks were too high to have a SNB, since there is no way to know the actual nodes that were closest to the melanoma.  Everything has been moved around and even if it showed no melanoma in the nodes, who know if it was actually the node that was the closest to the site.  Please keep us updated, as I am curious what you will learn from your visit.  Thanks for sharing!

                • January 14, 2018 at 10:32 pm
                pinky2001
                Participant

                  I just had a wide excision done for stage 1a (.33 mm deep).  As long as the pathology comes back with clear margins, it was not recommended that I get a lymph node biopsy.  Waiting…

                  • June 4, 2018 at 2:15 am
                  pinky2001
                  Participant

                    Some hospitals have healthcare staff who will help you complete the paperwork and apply for SSDI, without a fee.  They will also follow-up on the status.  Check with your navigator or financial counselor.  

                    • May 10, 2018 at 9:40 am
                    pinky2001
                    Participant

                      I use Cetaphil daily facial moisturizer with sunscreen broad spectrum SPF 20.  

                      • April 13, 2018 at 8:36 am
                      pinky2001
                      Participant

                        No, my insurance denied the $8,500 bill.  I don’t know if I’ll get billed by Castle.  I was not made aware of the cost prior to the test being done.

                        • January 31, 2018 at 11:27 am
                        pinky2001
                        Participant

                          Please share more info in the ultrasound test. 

                          • January 31, 2018 at 11:26 am
                          pinky2001
                          Participant

                            Initial punch biopsy showed .33 mm deep. At that point they didn’t think it was necessary to do a sentinel node biopsy.   After the wide excision was done, it came in at .90 mm, Clark’s level IV, no ulceration.

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