Possible Nodular Melanoma

Hello, I can't believe I am writing this. I'm still a little numb. I am a 34 year old female, married and a mommy to two children. I went to my doctor yesterday to have him look at a very tiny mole on my upper left arm between my elbow and shoulder. Although it was a very small mole, it did bleed and crust over several times. I guess I may have been in denial because I noticed it back in the summer, but thought maybe it was an ingrown hair or something. My sister said I really needed to get it checked out. So my doctor says to me that he was suspecting melanoma, but was going to refer me to a plastic surgeon. (It takes 6 months to get into a dermatolgist around here). Miraculously he got me into a plastic surgeon today! I saw the note that he wrote to his nurse to tell the plastic surgeon, "34 yo female. Very likely nodular melanoma." The nurse must've saw me peeking at it because she crumpled up the paper. Too late! So I go to the plastic surgeon today and he did a biopsy. I have 4 stitches. Should get the path report Monday or Tuesday. Of course I researched nodular melanoma and I totally freaked out! The only encouragement I heard from both doctors was that the mole was very small in size. In your experience, should I be worried? Picking out my funeral outfit? I'm trying not to think about it, but it's very, very hard. Thanks for listening.

HI- I'm 31 and was diagnosed with stage 1b Melanoma back in August from a mole removed. I had the surgery where they took out wider margins of tissue around the removed mole, plus had a sentinal Node biopsy to see if the Melanoma had spread to my lymphnodes. Both tests came back negative. But while I waited for the test results I FREAKED out too. Was crying every night! But don't worry! even it turns out to be Melanoma-if it;s in an early stage you will be just fine!!!!!! Email me back if you have anymore questions!

 

On 12/7/2006 Belle11296 wrote:

Hello, I can't believe I am writing this. I'm still a little numb. I am a 34 year old female, married and a mommy to two children. I went to my doctor yesterday to have him look at a very tiny mole on my upper left arm between my elbow and shoulder. Although it was a very small mole, it did bleed and crust over several times. I guess I may have been in denial because I noticed it back in the summer, but thought maybe it was an ingrown hair or something. My sister said I really needed to get it checked out. So my doctor says to me that he was suspecting melanoma, but was going to refer me to a plastic surgeon. (It takes 6 months to get into a dermatolgist around here). Miraculously he got me into a plastic surgeon today! I saw the note that he wrote to his nurse to tell the plastic surgeon, "34 yo female. Very likely nodular melanoma." The nurse must've saw me peeking at it because she crumpled up the paper. Too late! So I go to the plastic surgeon today and he did a biopsy. I have 4 stitches. Should get the path report Monday or Tuesday. Of course I researched nodular melanoma and I totally freaked out! The only encouragement I heard from both doctors was that the mole was very small in size. In your experience, should I be worried? Picking out my funeral outfit? I'm trying not to think about it, but it's very, very hard. Thanks for listening.

 

Dang, my messgae didn't post.  I have nodular melanoma.  Please email me at --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed.  Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----PS  The MPIP board is a fabulous place for answers and info!! I saw your post there earlier but didn't have the time to answer then.  I will go check it out again later.

Take care

 

Cheryl'