Newbie!

hallissa

Hi, my name is Lissa and last Friday I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. I'm in a tailspin! I went to a dermatologist last Tuesday because of this "thing" on my chin. He shaved it off, Friday I got a call from his nurse telling me I had this disease. I had an appointment Monday with my surgeon. He is doing surgery tomorrow to remove the "thing" from my chin and surrounding area.

Help! What happens next? How am I supposed to handle this? Please let me hear from you, SOON! Thanks.

KevC

Hey

I feel you pain!. I was in the same boat last year. Your family & friends may not understand your feelings but hang in there with them because they are just concerned. My melanoma was on my chest. I would recommend getting the Sentinal Node Biopsy at the same time they are removing the margins of your melanoma.

We are all in the same boat.

KevC

hallissa

KevC said:

Hey

I feel you pain!. I was in the same boat last year. Your family & friends may not understand your feelings but hang in there with them because they are just concerned. My melanoma was on my chest. I would recommend getting the Sentinal Node Biopsy at the same time they are removing the margins of your melanoma.

We are all in the same boat.

KevC

Thanks for replying, KevC. I really appreciate it. I am so scared right now I can't see straight. Can you have just one melanoma then be cancer free?

KevC

hallissa said:

Thanks for replying, KevC. I really appreciate it. I am so scared right now I can't see straight. Can you have just one melanoma then be cancer free?

Hey

We all hope so! I have been clear for a year but I always get on edge when I go back to the dermotoligist & they start the process all over. The best idea is to continue to get your skin checked as recomended by your doctor.

If fact I had the follow up area excised right on my melanoma scar last week. So I am waiting for the results now.

I am in SC? Where are you?

KevC

hallissa

KevC said:

Hey

We all hope so! I have been clear for a year but I always get on edge when I go back to the dermotoligist & they start the process all over. The best idea is to continue to get your skin checked as recomended by your doctor.

If fact I had the follow up area excised right on my melanoma scar last week. So I am waiting for the results now.

I am in SC? Where are you?

KevC

Hi Kev,
I'm in southern California. I had my surgery last Friday. The surgeon had to go deeper than he thought. He went all the way down to the muscle, then it was hard to stop the bleeding. I go back next Monday to get the stitches out of my chin and hopefully we'll have the pathology back by then. I'm scared, but holding onto hope. I'm not going to think about anything past Monday yet.

Hope your results are good.

Take care

wildred

hallissa said:

Thanks for replying, KevC. I really appreciate it. I am so scared right now I can't see straight. Can you have just one melanoma then be cancer free?

I have been dealing with melanoma for 6 years now. I know what you are going thru. You can check out my web page for details. I am still fighting it though. I have surgery again monday to remove two more spots. I wish you the best of luck. My prayers are with you.

kwdahlgren

hallissa said:

Thanks for replying, KevC. I really appreciate it. I am so scared right now I can't see straight. Can you have just one melanoma then be cancer free?

Yes you can have just one. I did. I was clark level 5 stage 3 by the time mine was found. I too recommend the node biospy. I had 25 nodes removed that were positive. I am cancer free now 5 years since my diagnoses. #1 thing is to keep getting routine skin exams. Better to be safe than sorry. Hang in there.

Unknown

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