Need info on MELANOMA

[ilovepcot]

None of the web sites have been able to answer the very specific questions I have concerning this. I'd like to chat with a former patient of Melanoma or health care professional that deals directly with this. Anyone here able to jump in and answer a few questions for me? Oh, I did check all the cancer message boards...totally useless!

 

[MAKmom]

I had a Melanoma removed from my face last year. I'm not sure I can help you but you can ask.

 

[luvwinnie]

My dad had melanoma removed from his back in 2001, also needed a skin graft. His lymph node biopsy was negative. DId you try the boards that are specifically about melanoma?

 

[DawnCt1]

This one sounds like it would be informative.http://www.mpip.org/

 

[ilovepcot]

MAKmom...thanks for answering! Hope you've had no lasting effect from the place that was removed from your face. I get the "impression" you're doing great!

luvwinnie...appreciate your answering also. Hope your Dad is also without lasting effect of something that has potential for being deadly if left untreated.

That's just it, our family is dealing with a member that's left an area untreated for far too long and it's no longer simply using a laser for easy removal. That's why, I suppose, it would be helpful to speak with an oncology nurse or person who's dealt with a situation where lymph nodes are involved. I wish no one here (or anywhere) had first hand knowledge of this but my family is going through a dark time and I'd appreciate more indepth answers than those I'm finding on cancer websites (yes, Melanoma specifically).

ETA: Thanks Dawn...just saw your post after making mine. Will check out the site you linked.

 

[Disneymaddness]

I had a malignant melanoma removed from my thigh in 1978. It was a Clark level III with a depth of less than .75 mm. I'm not sure, but the terminology has probably changed by now. Anyway, back then they took a large cut out of my leg, but that was fine with me. This May it will be 29 years since then and all is well. If you have any questions feel free to ask or PM me. Oh, there was no lymph node involvement. It is very frightening but science has come a long way, I hope everything works out OK.

 

[daisyduck123]

My mother is Stage 3 Melanoma survivor twice now.
She actually had all of the lymph nodes removed in an area in her left arm.

The survival rate for someone in Stage 3 is not good, but she goes every 6 months for a check-up/MRI at NIH.

It is a horrible thing to live with. Every year, she worries that she may not be around the following year. She never knows if/when it will come back.

**Every year, during our WDW trips, she's the lady that wears a full wet-suit in the waterparks....it's her best way to cover up in the sun!!

 

[Pixiedust34]

My dh had a melanoma area removed last year. Luckily, they caught it early enough that they got all of it out with surgery. Just last week, he had Moh's surgery for both basal and squamous cell skin cancer. That surgery was successful, too.

I am not familiar with melanoma after it spreads. I hope that all will be OK with your family member. I'll see if any of the skin cancer sites that we have stashed in our Favorite Places has some good information for you.

ETA:

http://www.skincancer.org/melanoma/index.php

http://www.mpip.org/ (I see this link was already listed)

http://www.melanomaintl.org/

 

[fabshelly]

I've had two operations for melanoma, on my arms. Both successful. Can't give blood any more, which bums me out. So I volunteer on the phone instead. Other than the scars, that's the impact of it on my life.

 

[MAKmom]

I'm fine I had a plastic surgeon do the surgery on my face it was only 8 stitches & I have a clean bill of health. Mine was the first stage. It was a BLACK spot not raised.

I did go to tanning beds in my youth.

I need to go for body checks every 6 months...they check everywhere you can think of.:

I'm very sorry you are dealing with this.