New to the board - with questions...

k1k2k3
k1k2k3 Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Skin Cancer #1
First of all, I don't know if I have selected the correct chat board catagory to go to, so if anyone thinks that a different catagory would be better, please direct me accordingly.

My mother has recently had surgery to remove cancer. It was melanoma. Her doctor was considered an oncologist/gynecologist because the cancer was located in her female areas "down there" (please excuse my ignorance for not knowing the exact parts or the exact phrasing of things).

We've heard that this particular procedure is one that will have a long healing process.

Her surgery was the day after Thanksgiving. She stayed in the hospital that evening then was home the following morning. The area that had the surgery was not stitched up. She is to keep the area clean, do sitz baths and just wait for it to heal on it's own.

It has only been a few weeks since her surgery, and I know the healing process will take time. I guess my question for anyone who has had a similar procedure done is how long did it take for you to start to feel less pain and maybe be a bit more comfortable to even sit? It sounds like she's in pain when she tries to stand or sit, and once she's sitting - it's difficult to find a position that doesn't hurt.

We've been told that the healing process will be different for everyone, and I completely understand that.

I just thought if I could give my mom some thoughts on how long it took others to start to feel better it might help her to feel better or help her to have something to look forward to.

I think at this point she feels like the pain will never go away.

I am interested to listen to any stories, advice, help or anything that you can offer.

Thanks greatly for your help.

Comments

  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #2
    Hi and welcome to the cancer survivor network but sorry for the circumstances that made you come here..you posted to the melanoma site which tends to be related to skin cancer but based on your description- not sure if this is the best forum for you? do you know the actual diagnosis? That being said, however, healing after surgery is very individual and can certainly take time. Try to make sure your Mom has plenty of protein which will help her to heal post operatively. Let us know how she is doing.
    Bev
  • k1k2k3
    k1k2k3 Member Posts: 2
    #3
    Well, everyone keeps telling me that the type of cancer that she had was Melanoma, so that's why I came to this chat board. I'm not sure which area it would be considered. I'll need to ask my mom and see if she knows. Thanks.
  • cheech
    cheech Member Posts: 4
    #4
    k1k2k3 said:

    Well, everyone keeps telling me that the type of cancer that she had was Melanoma, so that's why I came to this chat board. I'm not sure which area it would be considered. I'll need to ask my mom and see if she knows. Thanks.

    I was just diagnosed with Vaginal melanoma. It sounds similar to what your mother has. From what I've searched, it's rare. Tell me more when you can and I will share the steps as I experience them. It's hard to know where to post these questions. I would imagine the 'rare' group would be too unique and the vaginal cancer wouldn't be a good fit either (95% cure vs. mush much less for Vaginal melanoma).
  • Carvs
    Carvs Member Posts: 30
    #5
    I am sorry that your mother is having a hard time recovering from surgery. I also have melanoma and mine metastasized to a lymph node in the groin. I had a pretty slow recovery from that too. Almost harder than when I had a radical hysterectomy for other issues. However, I have gotten better with time. Your mother might try posting on the MPIP http://www.mpip.org/bb/bbindex.html That is a group of melanoma survivors and the people who post there range from those where the melanoma started in the skin to those where it started in the mucosal sites. Melanoma can spread to pretty much any organ or any site so it is not "just a skin cancer" although cutaneous (skin primary) is more common. Even lesions that start in the skin can spread to lymph nodes like mine did as well as to pretty much anywhere. I hope that your mother will start feeling better soon. There is plenty of room for hope. I have gotten to know people with melanoma that has spread to the brain, lungs, etc. who are doing well. Best wishes, Carver
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
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