CancerCompass message board discussion started by momofgands on 4/16/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23110,0.htm Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hey! I am very new to this just diagnosed in April.  Breslow 0.7mm and Clark's 3.  I am scared to death.  I have twin daughters who are 16 months old and all I can do is look at them and cry.  They are doing a wide excision on the 22nd and they (dermatolgist) is going to see me every 3 months.  Is this enough?  I don't want to miss anything.  He insist that it is plenty and he will keep a close eye on me.  Every mole on my body I see makes me crazy now.  I have over 50-100 moles.  I just am so scared!!!!!! Anything will be helpful.  I feel so selfish worrying when so many others have much larger and much more dangerous melanoma.  I am so sorry to anyone dealing with this monster.  I am a nurse which makes things even more scary!!!  Thanks for any advice - Shannon - North Carolina momofgands Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 4/16/2008 momofgands wrote:Hey! I am very new to this just diagnosed in April.  Breslow 0.7mm and Clark's 3.  I am scared to death.  I have twin daughters who are 16 months old and all I can do is look at them and cry.  They are doing a wide excision on the 22nd and they (dermatolgist) is going to see me every 3 months.  Is this enough?  I don't want to miss anything.  He insist that it is plenty and he will keep a close eye on me.  Every mole on my body I see makes me crazy now.  I have over 50-100 moles.  I just am so scared!!!!!! Anything will be helpful.  I feel so selfish worrying when so many others have much larger and much more dangerous melanoma.  I am so sorry to anyone dealing with this monster.  I am a nurse which makes things even more scary!!!  Thanks for any advice - Shannon - North Carolina Shannon,I say if you dont like how you are being treated get a second opion. My sister has stage 4 and she has a 4wk old daughter. The doctors took there time on care and all it took was a couple of months and now its in her brain and liver. I dont want to scare you but you need to fight especially for your babies!!!!! We tried to get my sister to go somewhere else but she wouldnt. There are cancer centers and new drugs out for this i would look online for a place near you and basically research!!!! I wish you all the best for you and your family! STEPH22 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thanks for the advice.  I want to be clear that they have been very good to me I am just trying to make sure everything is being done!!!  I am so sorry about your sister.  She will remain in my prayers  momofgands Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT   A Clark's 3, Breslow 0.7 mm is not too advanced a melanoma - depending on where it is - can you see it easily without a mirror?  Is it in an easily accessible place for palpating it?  Every three months after a wide excision is pretty standard, but if you are anxious about that part of the follow-up, by all means, ask for a second opinion.  It will set your mind at ease, and it should not be any offense to your surgeon.  Good luck to you - and I'll be keeping you in my prayers. chelo Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I can see it without a mirror- It is on my upper right hip.  Why is that important?  I have talked to others and they say the treatment is fine also.  Thanks for the response. momofgands Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT My advice is to take a look at the natural things that can help prevent cancer from ever happening, beat it if you get it and prevent it from coming back once you beat it.Tumors, cysts, skin cancers and other cancerous cell masses are the symptoms of an underlying cause that enabled cancer to get past your natural first line of defense and gain a foothold in the first place.  Most likely, a less than optimum immune system as well as a liver that is less than 100% is also involved, as is the likely presence of toxins and/or pathogens.To understand what nature may have to offer, and the benefits of a healthy diet, lifestyle, exercise, pure water, proper nutrition, removal of stress and, believe it or not, and sunshine* can do, take a look at:Modern Medicine versus Nature in Treating Cancer http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/41541 Healing Illness - A Natural Anti-Cancer Protocol http://www.naturalnews.com/022808.html *Yes, ironically, while excessive sun is a primary contributor to melanoma and other skin cancers, evidence suggests that adequate sunshine is one of the best protectors against future melanoma.Source: http://www.wanderings.net/notebook/Main/TanningProtectsAgain Dquixote1217 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT I know it's "easy" for me  to tell you to try to relax, but I have been where you are (three times with melanoma and last year with thyroid cancer).   If you are confident with your doctor, go in for checkups as often as you want until you are comfortable.   Your insurance company might not pay for it and it might be out-of-pocket, but if it gives you peace of mind--do it.  I went to Sloan-Kettering Memorial in NY for a second opinion and felt like I was treated as well with my doctor at home (my doctors are more personable here, too)!   You may have already stated, but where is your melanoma located?   It's good to read what others are going through to be able to make decisions, but remember that you are taking care of it!  You WILL be OK.  Also, read positive success stories.  It took me a long time to learn this.  I hope it helps you some.  Good luck to you + prayers.   God is good. YaYaTara Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hey Shannon, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Melanoma, Clark's Level II, Breslow .16 so just slightly better than yours but basically same catagory. However, after all the research I did on the internet and the fear of recurrence, I developed my own strategy for checking and basically leaving no stone unturned.I went back on my own medical history and obtained all xrays, ct scans, ultrasounds of anything ever done on me within a reasonable time frame (they must keep them for 7 years).  If you find the hospital (many were emergency room visits) they will forward to your doctor free of charge rather than you asking for copy (which they usually charge for). I then had all these medical reports sent to an Oncologist for his professional cancer medical opinion (not a surgeon, nor a GP)actually someone that is trained to seek out cancerous spots or tumors.  I am happy to report that he did find one (yes happy because it was found) on my adrenal gland.  Two other doctors missed this (apparently the ER doctor didn't even feel need to tell me about this tumor even though I was in there for rectal bleeding and stomach pain).  They said it was something I ate or a potential blockage in bowel. I am now having the tumor removed and sent for biopsy.  Better safe than sorry and leaving it inside for it to potentially grow into a cancerous tumor. Be proactive in your care.  Don't let doctor's intimidate you, they are there to offer you medical opinion, but YOU are in CHARGE of your own personal life and only you can demand and get the care you want. If you feel uncomfortable about anything, you need to TELL your doctor and if he doesn't agree with your choice of plans or treatment, find one that will.Email me anytime if you need to ask more questions.  I am in Charlotte, NC, where are you--Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html-- Donna Jay Hey! I am very new to this just diagnosed in April.  Breslow 0.7mm and Clark's 3.  I am scared to death.  I have twin daughters who are 16 months old and all I can do is look at them and cry.  They are doing a wide excision on the 22nd and they (dermatolgist) is going to see me every 3 months.  Is this enough?  I don't want to miss anything.  He insist that it is plenty and he will keep a close eye on me.  Every mole on my body I see makes me crazy now.  I have over 50-100 moles.  I just am so scared!!!!!! Anything will be helpful.  I feel so selfish worrying when so many others have much larger and much more dangerous melanoma.  I am so sorry to anyone dealing with this monster.  I am a nurse which makes things even more scary!!!  Thanks for any advice - Shannon - North Carolina CaymanDJay Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT