Cancer Survivors Network

Hi, I'm an early stage survivor (15 months). Diagnosed at 33(2/2002) I had the WLE surgery, nothing else required. I have reddish blonde hair, green eyes, freckles, Scottish-Irish descent, fair skin, lived in the sun and have family history of Melanoma on both sides! Go to the derm every six months for checkups now. Have had about 7 or 8 new biopsies since my diagnosis. Luckily all have been only "atypical" and not malignant so far. I am trying to keep a very positive attitude and not freak out over every new mole or freckle, but I'll admit sometimes it is nerve wracking. Make sure your doctor explains anything you don't understand in plain and simple terms, also read everything you can about melanoma. A great web site is Mike's Page( I think www.tustison.com). I belong to the list serv and talk daily with other survivor's via e-mail. Goodluck and I'll be praying for you! Kristie

Our 32 daughter in law is fighting for her life. She was diagnosed '99 mole on right shoulder, had WLE and SNB with right auxila nodes removed 0 positive. Other than having numerous mole/freckle biopsies done and every 3 month dr/derm visits all went well till 5/01. She then had an in-transit tumor at original site. Had it excised and again all went well with continued monitoring until 3/03. She had had her onco visit with bloodwork etc and all was good as recent at December 02 then wham...mets to liver 40% involvement inoperable!!! She has completed round two of IL2 and is home recooperatin