CancerCompass message board discussion started by Belle11296 on 12/7/2006 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,8159,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ 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. Belle11296 Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT 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! Cooper1 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT  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.  Cheryls3kids Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT 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'  Cheryls3kids Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT Don't panic! You have found it early and are in a great position to keep this contained.  Lymp nodes are all over your body and can be removed My mom has had several lymp nodes removed to avoid the spread of melanoma. The surgery is usually out patient and very successful in getting a clean area around the melanoma cells. I can not stress enough to keep on top of the watch IF the test shows melenoma. Find a good dermotologist that does a full head to foot search with you. You need to watch for things to be found early as well. Scans will be used to "see inside" if there is anything to be aware of.We have been living without impacts from melanoma in its highest stage for years now. So fight it off early and find it early.  Best wishes on your test results - should it turn out to be mel don't panic there is options! Lindymo Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT