Skin Cancer Support Group

Welcome! I hope all is a little better for you now. Your body reacts to many things in just as many ways and I feel like you were probably reacting to both the surgery and the mental side of MM. Get some rest and let me know how your doing! Peace&Love!

Thank you so much for your reply. This has all been so sudden and I think the mental aspect of it just really got to me. I just went in for a wart on my toe, said, "Oh, by the way, does this mole on my back look funny to you?" I was stunned when the dr said it did and she wanted it off. A few days later she called with the melanoma diagnosis, and it was like, "What!" In the time it took her to say the word, she altered my universe. I thought all I needed was some Compound W! This spot turned out to be Stage 0, but my dad has melanoma, so I know how this goes. I still have some other spots she wants to take off next. Anyway, sorry to go on, but I really haven't had anyone to talk to. I know I should talk to my dad, but I just can't bring myself to tell him. I know it will really upset him.

I felt like I was hit by a freight train. It all happened so fast. Get this, I got my result at a pap appointment... nice huh. The pain from the surgery will fade. It takes some time time to deal with the whole "cancer" thing. Utilize this site...it is great, I didn't, I wish I had. It is hard to talk to people who understand. Good luck sweetie...it gets better.

Hi,
Was this actual melanoma or melanoma in-situ? Meaning that it has pre-melanoma cells in it but they havent actually turned into full on malignant melanoma. If it is mm, there are some other steps you should take. I suggest you go to a melanoma specialist to see if anything further needs to be done (excision was wide enough). You just need to be sure that every single tiny cell was removed. If it was in-situ, then the wide excision should be enough. Either way, if it was a level 0, you should be fine, but its always good to get an opinion from a melanoma specialist.
Welcome to the group and so sorry about your dad.
Melissa

Thank you for your replies. Just knowing that there are other people out there who understand helps. It turned out to be Stage 0. I am so thankful for that. I do have a couple other spots that the doctor wants to take off that look suspicious. I do feel like getting a second opinion with another doctor to look me over. I just don't want anything to get missed. I just think how lucky I was that this was found before it got worse. I hate to think that there might be other spots growing while I am just living my life thinking nothing is wrong. I want to stay on top of it without getting paranoid about every little mole! Again, I so appreciate your kind support.

Hi,
Im sooo glad that it was caught so early. Get every single mole removed from your body that you dont feel comfortable with. If you have a good derm. they will do this with no question. I have had many shave biopsies and Im sure I will have more. Its worth it to me, just for peace of mind. If I were in your position, I would just get another opinion that your wide incision was wide enough. You may even be able to find a melanoma specialist online that you can ask a question to via email, to make sure the proper margin was done. You just want to make sure that every single possible cell was removed. Dont freak out but do everything to ease your mind of worry.
Melissa

From what you wrote you have not a thing to worry about! Other posts to you here are helpful.

I belong to another site, Melanoma International Foundation. http://forum.melanomaintl.org/toas...

Excellant people,operated by professionals.

I wish you well and hope you can smile and be happy.

I had some skin cancer cut off , from the side of my nose.....Yes, Give yourself a week or so...I think half of it is your mind, but your body can use some rest to recover also...!

its alot to take in , in ashort space of time.your bound to be in shock.i remember my 1st thought when told i had malignant melonoma stage 2 but deep.it was on my thigh and i just thought oh my god they gonna cut my leg off!!!.i laugh about it now but we all react in diff ways . glad they got yours early. good luck xx