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What does Melanoma look like?
Hello, I was diagnosed with melanoma last week. I am a 30 year old, healthy woman with olive skin. I hardly ever burn and tan easily.
The mark that was found was akin colored mole, at first I was told it was nothing, but my dermatologist asked if I wanted it biopsy it anyway and I said yes. Well she called and said she made a mistake and it was melanoma in situ. I was shocked, but happy that it was caught so early. I am scheduled to have it removed in 2 weeks.
But the doctor had not done a head to toe examination because she thought it was nothing... my new problem is that I am not scheduled to see her until next week. In the mean time I look at every mark on my skin as death!!! I have these brown spots on my legs... I was told by two doctors they were nothing "sun marks". But now I want to cry every time I look at them.
There must be 20 of them on the front and back of both legs... can this be melanoma? Can it be all over both my legs? Please help. The waiting until I can be seen is driving me crazy. What are the chances it is melanoma?
Thank you,
Sara
The mark that was found was akin colored mole, at first I was told it was nothing, but my dermatologist asked if I wanted it biopsy it anyway and I said yes. Well she called and said she made a mistake and it was melanoma in situ. I was shocked, but happy that it was caught so early. I am scheduled to have it removed in 2 weeks.
But the doctor had not done a head to toe examination because she thought it was nothing... my new problem is that I am not scheduled to see her until next week. In the mean time I look at every mark on my skin as death!!! I have these brown spots on my legs... I was told by two doctors they were nothing "sun marks". But now I want to cry every time I look at them.
There must be 20 of them on the front and back of both legs... can this be melanoma? Can it be all over both my legs? Please help. The waiting until I can be seen is driving me crazy. What are the chances it is melanoma?
Thank you,
Sara
Well, I had it removed on Thursday. it hurts a little but I will be fine. The cut is about 2 inches long. Which is fine as long as it is gone!!! my second biopsy came back from my foot and it was just a wart. Ha ha ha!! No all i need is for the biopsy from Thursday to come in clean and life will be back to normal or at least as much as it can be. I enjoyed a walk at an art fair this weekend with some friends (spf 85 and all). I think I am going to be just fine. Now starts the fun part living with Melanoma and doing all I can to catch it this early every time.
Good luck!
And thanks for the support :)
Good luck!
And thanks for the support :)
Okay ladies... I'm back from the Dr. and the procedure is now freshly behind me. I PRAY it's my last. I'm grateful for all the information and support!! It's somehow a relief to have that part of it behind me. I wish with all my heart that Melanoma in any stage or form never happened to anybody, but that's just not reality.
Here's what my Dr. told me, and hopefully we can compare notes. She said that it's at the earliest, earliest, earliest, stage and that's the true blessing in all of this. She said it's curable at "in situ." She said that being diagnosed with in situ is no reason not to have another child, and that they usually tell women who have been diagnosed at Stage I to wait three years to try, but she also said even that's changing due to new treatments. I don't know what they are and hopefully never will. She also told me that Dr.'s are unfortunately seeing this in women younger and younger and while I'm 37, it's still considered young to have it. She said they are now seeing women in thier 20's and so on. My Dr. isn't the most caring Dr. I've ever been to, she's a bit more on the logical side. She sort of acted like I was a bit too scared, LIKE THAT'S POSSIBLE!!! I guess when you haven't walked in someone else's shoes, you just can't know how it feels. I think I may ask around and see if I can't find someone who suits my personality a bit more. I'm also getting a second opinon on the rest of my moles, and having another specialist go over the whole chart. I don't have many moles, but I spoke with her about electively getting them removed just to have less to worry about and she basically said that it doesn't really make a difference as a new situ would most likely come in the form of a new mole rather than an existing one. That goes against how this all started for me, it was an old mole that changed after pregnancy. She said I'm at a greater risk for possibly more situ, and other types of skin cancer than the average person, but that doesn't mean I will get anymore. :):):):):) I'm praying that's the case for all of us!!! I have fair skin with freckles and redish hair, so I need not say more about that! I have a darn long incision. It didn't hurt, except for the numbing which stung just a bit. I'm sure I'll be good and sore tomorrow! She really tried to make me aware of the scarring, but I told her I DON'T CARE!!!!!!!! TAKE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I DON'T WANT IT ON ME! I have two rows of sutures that will disolve, but none on the outside of the incision. She told me to wear spf and protective clothing, stay out of the harsh sun, but not to live in a cave! It's going to take me a while to get there! Luckily I live in Oregon, so sunny days aren't something I will have to contend with on a daily basis! She also looked me in the eye and told me I was going to live a long life!! She will see me every four months for the first three years, and once a year after that. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I want to be as helpful as possible. I'm going to go and see a therapist as this was just a bit too much for me, and I know I'll need some additional help getting through it. It couldn't hurt!! She told me it takes time to work through the emotional part and to get to the logical part. You are so right Mary, my son will NEVER get a sunburn or a tan as long as I'm around!! God bless you both, and I'll be thinking of you, Sara, on Thursday! Your big day is almost here and soon it will be behind you!!! Let's keep in touch! Krista
Here's what my Dr. told me, and hopefully we can compare notes. She said that it's at the earliest, earliest, earliest, stage and that's the true blessing in all of this. She said it's curable at "in situ." She said that being diagnosed with in situ is no reason not to have another child, and that they usually tell women who have been diagnosed at Stage I to wait three years to try, but she also said even that's changing due to new treatments. I don't know what they are and hopefully never will. She also told me that Dr.'s are unfortunately seeing this in women younger and younger and while I'm 37, it's still considered young to have it. She said they are now seeing women in thier 20's and so on. My Dr. isn't the most caring Dr. I've ever been to, she's a bit more on the logical side. She sort of acted like I was a bit too scared, LIKE THAT'S POSSIBLE!!! I guess when you haven't walked in someone else's shoes, you just can't know how it feels. I think I may ask around and see if I can't find someone who suits my personality a bit more. I'm also getting a second opinon on the rest of my moles, and having another specialist go over the whole chart. I don't have many moles, but I spoke with her about electively getting them removed just to have less to worry about and she basically said that it doesn't really make a difference as a new situ would most likely come in the form of a new mole rather than an existing one. That goes against how this all started for me, it was an old mole that changed after pregnancy. She said I'm at a greater risk for possibly more situ, and other types of skin cancer than the average person, but that doesn't mean I will get anymore. :):):):):) I'm praying that's the case for all of us!!! I have fair skin with freckles and redish hair, so I need not say more about that! I have a darn long incision. It didn't hurt, except for the numbing which stung just a bit. I'm sure I'll be good and sore tomorrow! She really tried to make me aware of the scarring, but I told her I DON'T CARE!!!!!!!! TAKE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I DON'T WANT IT ON ME! I have two rows of sutures that will disolve, but none on the outside of the incision. She told me to wear spf and protective clothing, stay out of the harsh sun, but not to live in a cave! It's going to take me a while to get there! Luckily I live in Oregon, so sunny days aren't something I will have to contend with on a daily basis! She also looked me in the eye and told me I was going to live a long life!! She will see me every four months for the first three years, and once a year after that. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I want to be as helpful as possible. I'm going to go and see a therapist as this was just a bit too much for me, and I know I'll need some additional help getting through it. It couldn't hurt!! She told me it takes time to work through the emotional part and to get to the logical part. You are so right Mary, my son will NEVER get a sunburn or a tan as long as I'm around!! God bless you both, and I'll be thinking of you, Sara, on Thursday! Your big day is almost here and soon it will be behind you!!! Let's keep in touch! Krista
I know I have gone a little crazy, but there are mixed theories on reasons why and what factors play a role. I am just trying to prevent further damage. After all I am only 30, so you had 21 years on me.
It is like I told my boyfriend the other day "I am going to start dressing like your mom now, so I can be a mom someday too." To which he agreed.
i guess I rather be too safe.... for now at least :)
It is like I told my boyfriend the other day "I am going to start dressing like your mom now, so I can be a mom someday too." To which he agreed.
i guess I rather be too safe.... for now at least :)
Wow, you're both being so diligent about your protection. As I said in a previous note, I make certain that I have spf on my face at all times via my moisturizer and I always have a small tube of of sun screen in my car and in my purse. I can't tell you how many times I've used those things on myself and my daughter when we were outside longer than expected or took an unplanned trip where we would be out doors. I don't go outside during peak sun hours during the summer and I try to wear t-shirts when I have a bathing suit on as extra protection. Other than that though, I'm not spending my days worrying about skin cancer. I grew up on near the beach and in the 1960's when using sun screen was not the norm. The damage done in those days is something out of my control. I also obviously have no control over the genetic issue and I can't remove all of my hundreds of moles.
I'm a little older than both of you so I'm exercising and eating the right things so that I don't have deal with other health issues down the road. The skin issue is something I've accepted as something I'll have to deal with for the rest of my life. This is one health problem that while I have no control over the past, I can prevent it from, frankly, killing me.
Like Autumn, I also a worry wart but my motto has always been "if it's going to happen to someone, it's going to happen to me". lol The fear of the unknown is what worries me the most. This is something that I somewhat understand and it's something that I can control. This is not something I worry about excessively.
Having said that, my daughter who is now in her early teens has never had a sun burn or sun tan. I have been fanatical about protecting her from the sun. She too can't control the genetic component but she is not going have skin cancer on her plate when she's my age.
I'm a little older than both of you so I'm exercising and eating the right things so that I don't have deal with other health issues down the road. The skin issue is something I've accepted as something I'll have to deal with for the rest of my life. This is one health problem that while I have no control over the past, I can prevent it from, frankly, killing me.
Like Autumn, I also a worry wart but my motto has always been "if it's going to happen to someone, it's going to happen to me". lol The fear of the unknown is what worries me the most. This is something that I somewhat understand and it's something that I can control. This is not something I worry about excessively.
Having said that, my daughter who is now in her early teens has never had a sun burn or sun tan. I have been fanatical about protecting her from the sun. She too can't control the genetic component but she is not going have skin cancer on her plate when she's my age.
I have been so afraid of the sun as well. It seems so silly as I have spent so much time loving it ;) I am Mexican and German and have always tanned so easily I never thought I had to worry... now I know better. And I agree I would take a couple of scars fro 30-40 more years any day.
As for sun block I have gone on a buying spree. This is what I have now. Everyday on my face and ears I put Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30. It is made for sensitive skin; it is light and doesn't make my face breakout.
For my body I have been putting on Banana Boat broad Spectrum 30 and 50 depending on how much time I am spending out side. But I am not sure how much I like putting it on everyday. So on the days when I am mostly indoors, I am going to stick with my LUBRIDERM Daily Moisture with SPF 15 Lotion. And last but not least on mother's day I knew we would be having brunch under an umbrella outside so I wanted to be careful. I bought Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sun block Lotion, SPF 85, it is great for body and face, but comes in a smaller size. (When I run out of the banana boat I have now I did see they have an Organic version I want to try also for the body.)
Other than that, I am a teacher and have to be outside with the kids, so I have bought some cute hats at Target and stole my boyfriend golf umbrella for recess time. Then I found a product called Sun Guard, which you can wash into your current clothing to add UPF protection at http://www.sunguardsunprotection.com/home.lasso .
Also, I just ordered a catalogue from http://www.coolibar.com/ which sells clothing and hats with a UPF 50+. The clothing is expensive but with a few key items I know I will feel better and it will be worth it.
I have read some say sun block can’t fix the problem… but I am trying any and everything. Including exercise and improving my immune system. I have to do all I can for myself and my family.
Wow... that was a lot of information. The other day I joked with my family that if they can't think of a gift for me on my next birthday a spray tan or sun block would be great :)
I think at a time like these you need to reach out to "strangers" because you need to find people who can understand your fears and hopes. Thank goodness for the internet. Good luck tomorrow.
Best Wishes,
Sara
As for sun block I have gone on a buying spree. This is what I have now. Everyday on my face and ears I put Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30. It is made for sensitive skin; it is light and doesn't make my face breakout.
For my body I have been putting on Banana Boat broad Spectrum 30 and 50 depending on how much time I am spending out side. But I am not sure how much I like putting it on everyday. So on the days when I am mostly indoors, I am going to stick with my LUBRIDERM Daily Moisture with SPF 15 Lotion. And last but not least on mother's day I knew we would be having brunch under an umbrella outside so I wanted to be careful. I bought Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sun block Lotion, SPF 85, it is great for body and face, but comes in a smaller size. (When I run out of the banana boat I have now I did see they have an Organic version I want to try also for the body.)
Other than that, I am a teacher and have to be outside with the kids, so I have bought some cute hats at Target and stole my boyfriend golf umbrella for recess time. Then I found a product called Sun Guard, which you can wash into your current clothing to add UPF protection at http://www.sunguardsunprotection.com/home.lasso .
Also, I just ordered a catalogue from http://www.coolibar.com/ which sells clothing and hats with a UPF 50+. The clothing is expensive but with a few key items I know I will feel better and it will be worth it.
I have read some say sun block can’t fix the problem… but I am trying any and everything. Including exercise and improving my immune system. I have to do all I can for myself and my family.
Wow... that was a lot of information. The other day I joked with my family that if they can't think of a gift for me on my next birthday a spray tan or sun block would be great :)
I think at a time like these you need to reach out to "strangers" because you need to find people who can understand your fears and hopes. Thank goodness for the internet. Good luck tomorrow.
Best Wishes,
Sara
Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your very kind, and encouraging words. You've both helped me. I go back to the Dr. tomorrow and hopefully I can, as you say learn to put this behind me and move on down this bumpy and wonderful road we call life. I've never reached out to strangers before and thanks to both of you, I've learned that it can be a really positive thing. I've been scared and worried for other people PLENTY of times, but NEVER have I been so scared for myself. Like you Saracp, my mom has been worried sick, my dad assures her as much as he can, but it sure feels horrible being the cause of such serious worry for them. My husband is really good at keeping things in perspective, there have been many times that he's had to bring me back to reality this week, as your boyfriend is doing for you. You're so right, 30 years is a long time, AND enough time to be there for my child as he's growing up! A scar is something I couldn't care less about!! I'm really not just saying that!! As far as I'm concerned it's not even in the cateragory of a small price to pay for the return. I get the rest of the tissue removed tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes and I'll be thinking of you and your Thursday appointment too! Ughh!! I just want to go back to being happy and sort of care free again. I'm only 37, and like you both, never thought I would have to hear the words..."you have melanoma situ!" I'm a total worry wart, and I'm going to have to teach myself how not to worry so much. What are you guys doing as far as sun block? Now, I'm terrified of the sun! THANKS AGAIN!!! I'll be happy to listen to any of your thoughts, concerns and venting too! I'm making a list of all the questions I have for the Dermatolgist tomorrow, just to be sure I don't forget something! Everytime I get so scared and I can't stand it, I just say a prayer and it really gets me through. You're both in my prayers!
I can understand completely. My diagnosis was also in situ. Though I did have a second place biopsied last week and am waiting for the results. They said the think it is a "wart"...lol. And it probably is. But like you I have spent much of my time over the last 2 weeks crying and over thinking. Thinking about what is "lurking" within. I have no children, but this issue has made me and my boyfriend of 5 years step back and think about the big picture.
For me the hardest part is what it is doing to my family. My mom and grandparents are trying so hard to stay positive.
So let me say this. WE will be fine. WE will beat this. And WE were lucky we caught it early. It is not going to be easy, but overtime we will learn to live with this and get over the fear. WE will be ok and now we can appreciate every moment that much more.
My friends’ mom had stage one melanoma 30 years ago. Since then she has had 1 reoccurrence and is fine.
We can do a lot with 30 years.... and my boyfriend says he is sure I will still be here nagging him in 40 :)
I have mine removed this Thursday. I will be thinking of you this week.
If you need someone to vent to, I will listen (or read) all about it.
SO like Marylsmith said take a deep breath and feel at peace that WE caught it early and will be just fine.
For me the hardest part is what it is doing to my family. My mom and grandparents are trying so hard to stay positive.
So let me say this. WE will be fine. WE will beat this. And WE were lucky we caught it early. It is not going to be easy, but overtime we will learn to live with this and get over the fear. WE will be ok and now we can appreciate every moment that much more.
My friends’ mom had stage one melanoma 30 years ago. Since then she has had 1 reoccurrence and is fine.
We can do a lot with 30 years.... and my boyfriend says he is sure I will still be here nagging him in 40 :)
I have mine removed this Thursday. I will be thinking of you this week.
If you need someone to vent to, I will listen (or read) all about it.
SO like Marylsmith said take a deep breath and feel at peace that WE caught it early and will be just fine.
Take a very deep breath! You are and will be okay!!! Insitu melanoma is virtually 100 percent curable. They will remove the thing. It won't take long. It won't feel great but it won't be terribly painful either (& you've been through childbirth so this will be a cake walk lol). You'll have a scar but your life will be exactly as it was before the diagnosis. Just count your lucky stars that you were smart enough to have it checked. You are at higher risk for melanoma in the future but your chances of dying from the disease are much lower than someone who walks around thinking "it won't happen to me". It's not a horrible cancer when it's insitu and I said in an earlier note, it's better than having some cancer quietly lurking in your body that you can't see and easily treat. I hope I'm not sounding callous but you really don't need to be so upset over this thing. Life is full of bumps and you're just going over one right now.
I was diagnosed with Melanoma situ on my shoulder about a week ago. My dad noticed a mole on my shoulder about a year and a half ago while wearing a summer dress. He told me that I should have it checked. I ignored him, as I was a new mother and had my hands full with our baby. He noticed it again on Easter and told me, again, to have it checked immediately. I finally scheduled an appointment thinking that everything would be fine only to find out that I have melanoma situ. I go back this week to have the perimeter around the mole the removed, as she took the mole off last week to biopsy. To say I'm terrified would be an understatment. I cry almost everytime I look at my son. I cry myself to sleep, I wake up in the night to cry, and throughout the day. I'm so angry at myself that I was so negligent. As a mother, my health affects my beautiful son, he needs me around. I keep thinking that I can never be the same, or truly happy again. I feel as though I will worry for ever that this stuff is lurking and going to get me eventually. I feel like it's all my fault for being so careless. I'm normally not a cryer, or a person who's afraid of things, my life has never been perfect or anything, but I just want so desperately to go back to what it was before this diagnosis. I just don't know how to handle what's happening to me. I've said a prayer for everybody who's been diagnosed with cancer. It's so horrible.
Thank you for the positive words. i can use all I can get right now. It is just the not knowing that is getting to me.
Thanks again for tryingt o put me at ease.
Sara
Thanks again for tryingt o put me at ease.
Sara
Very very very unlikely. The doctors are right, they are sunmarks. You will get extra checks from now on and they will be very vigilant. they will err on the side of caution with you.
Melanoma in situ has an excellent prognosis (like 100% or something) so great work on catching things so early.
I know of at least 10 people who have had melanomas off and all are fine. Esp. with such an early case as yours. You have been given a wake-up but you will be fine.
Take care.
Melanoma in situ has an excellent prognosis (like 100% or something) so great work on catching things so early.
I know of at least 10 people who have had melanomas off and all are fine. Esp. with such an early case as yours. You have been given a wake-up but you will be fine.
Take care.
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