A new Lump! Thoughts Support Etc.

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  • Post
    • August 13, 2013 at 4:41 am
    MattF
    Participant

      So I was dx with Stage ! in Aug 2012 right side of head near earlobe.

      WLE and SNB neg. 3 month checks with ultrasound and bloodwork all good. Last one was Early June 2013 at MD Anderson.

      End of June 2013 I feel what feels like a little "pea" at the base of my right ear (about 1 inch south of my initial melanoma and just left of the scar for the SNB.

      I just keep an eye on it as i am moving out of tx and back to ca. 

      By mid July it is olive sized…just starting to be visable through the skin….

      So I was dx with Stage ! in Aug 2012 right side of head near earlobe.

      WLE and SNB neg. 3 month checks with ultrasound and bloodwork all good. Last one was Early June 2013 at MD Anderson.

      End of June 2013 I feel what feels like a little "pea" at the base of my right ear (about 1 inch south of my initial melanoma and just left of the scar for the SNB.

      I just keep an eye on it as i am moving out of tx and back to ca. 

      By mid July it is olive sized…just starting to be visable through the skin….

      Early Aug I get set up with Dr Chmielowski at UCLA Oncology Center….it is jumbo olive sized…firm, fixed, oval (sort of), about 1 inch across and you can kind of grip it with your hands but it will not move.

      Set for an ultrasound then if the radiologist sees fit a guided Fine Needle Biopsy on Wed. at this point it is easly seen through the skin.

      I don't want to think dooms day but just want some thoughts…i'm about as prepared as i can be…

      I saw the oncologist (specioalizes in melanoma)…he got my history…did an exam..felt the lump for less than 20 sec and imeediately started calling in his staff to get me set up with other things…Derm and Biopsy. Then he used the phrase "this moderately concerning"

      5 days later I saw the Derm at UCLA…he got history checked my skin then he felt the lump for about 15 sec and immediately called in his staff to check on the biopsy sched and what was going on…then he checked to see if it was through the skin enough for him to try and punch it to get his own biopsy.

      The derm was great he looked me in the eye and said you have a list of priorities for your health. it is 10 things. #1 through #10 is to biopsy and treat that firm, fixed, oval, lump at your primary site.

    Viewing 9 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 13, 2013 at 5:39 pm
        casagrayson
        Participant

          I'm not well-versed enough in this disease to add any insight, but I wanted you to know you will be in my thoughts.  Please keep us updated, okay?

           

          Susan

          • August 13, 2013 at 5:39 pm
          casagrayson
          Participant

            I'm not well-versed enough in this disease to add any insight, but I wanted you to know you will be in my thoughts.  Please keep us updated, okay?

             

            Susan

            • August 13, 2013 at 5:39 pm
            casagrayson
            Participant

              I'm not well-versed enough in this disease to add any insight, but I wanted you to know you will be in my thoughts.  Please keep us updated, okay?

               

              Susan

              • August 13, 2013 at 10:01 pm
              POW
              Participant

                Hi, Matt-

                Ugh! Not the news you wanted to hear, I know. It sounds like you took quick action on this and are getting excellent medical advice from good doctors. Your doctor is right– the only thing you can do right now is get the lump removed and await the biopsy results. If it comes back melanoma, ask if they will send a sample out for BRAF testing. 

                Hang in there, buddy. The waiting is the worst. Let us know how things turn out for you.

                • August 14, 2013 at 6:55 am
                MattF
                Participant

                  Thank you so much for the responses.

                  Well Ultrasound/ FN Biopsy is tomorrow afternoon. I hope to hear something in the room…

                  if it goes south then removal and i would hope they know what to check for…my guy is a melanoma guy at UCLA.

                  I would imagine lymph node removal and body scans would be next. I'm semi prepared for the worst but hoping for the best.

                  I will update with a new post on wed.

                  M

                  • August 14, 2013 at 6:55 am
                  MattF
                  Participant

                    Thank you so much for the responses.

                    Well Ultrasound/ FN Biopsy is tomorrow afternoon. I hope to hear something in the room…

                    if it goes south then removal and i would hope they know what to check for…my guy is a melanoma guy at UCLA.

                    I would imagine lymph node removal and body scans would be next. I'm semi prepared for the worst but hoping for the best.

                    I will update with a new post on wed.

                    M

                    • August 14, 2013 at 6:55 am
                    MattF
                    Participant

                      Thank you so much for the responses.

                      Well Ultrasound/ FN Biopsy is tomorrow afternoon. I hope to hear something in the room…

                      if it goes south then removal and i would hope they know what to check for…my guy is a melanoma guy at UCLA.

                      I would imagine lymph node removal and body scans would be next. I'm semi prepared for the worst but hoping for the best.

                      I will update with a new post on wed.

                      M

                      • August 14, 2013 at 7:33 am
                      JerryfromFauq
                      Participant

                        Matt,wen I had a similar occurance in my groin and went to see my Melanoma Surgeon, he took it that day!  It was a black melanomathe size of the last join of my little finger.  That area has been clear since that Jan 2009 day.  Would want it out, not just FNA's as soon as possible.

                        • August 14, 2013 at 7:33 am
                        JerryfromFauq
                        Participant

                          Matt,wen I had a similar occurance in my groin and went to see my Melanoma Surgeon, he took it that day!  It was a black melanomathe size of the last join of my little finger.  That area has been clear since that Jan 2009 day.  Would want it out, not just FNA's as soon as possible.

                          • August 14, 2013 at 7:33 am
                          JerryfromFauq
                          Participant

                            Matt,wen I had a similar occurance in my groin and went to see my Melanoma Surgeon, he took it that day!  It was a black melanomathe size of the last join of my little finger.  That area has been clear since that Jan 2009 day.  Would want it out, not just FNA's as soon as possible.

                            • August 13, 2013 at 10:01 pm
                            POW
                            Participant

                              Hi, Matt-

                              Ugh! Not the news you wanted to hear, I know. It sounds like you took quick action on this and are getting excellent medical advice from good doctors. Your doctor is right– the only thing you can do right now is get the lump removed and await the biopsy results. If it comes back melanoma, ask if they will send a sample out for BRAF testing. 

                              Hang in there, buddy. The waiting is the worst. Let us know how things turn out for you.

                              • August 13, 2013 at 10:01 pm
                              POW
                              Participant

                                Hi, Matt-

                                Ugh! Not the news you wanted to hear, I know. It sounds like you took quick action on this and are getting excellent medical advice from good doctors. Your doctor is right– the only thing you can do right now is get the lump removed and await the biopsy results. If it comes back melanoma, ask if they will send a sample out for BRAF testing. 

                                Hang in there, buddy. The waiting is the worst. Let us know how things turn out for you.

                                • August 15, 2013 at 5:03 am
                                MattF
                                Participant

                                  i agree

                                  i went for fna today

                                  radiologist had my wife and i sit up and look at ultrasound…said what he thinks we are seeing is a mass in or on my salivary gland (i assume parotid by locating at base of right ear lobe). 

                                  my primary melanoma was on right earlobe.

                                  we wait 3 to 5 days for results but no matter what a jumbo olive sized hard lump in my nick has to come out.

                                  • August 15, 2013 at 5:03 am
                                  MattF
                                  Participant

                                    i agree

                                    i went for fna today

                                    radiologist had my wife and i sit up and look at ultrasound…said what he thinks we are seeing is a mass in or on my salivary gland (i assume parotid by locating at base of right ear lobe). 

                                    my primary melanoma was on right earlobe.

                                    we wait 3 to 5 days for results but no matter what a jumbo olive sized hard lump in my nick has to come out.

                                    • August 15, 2013 at 5:03 am
                                    MattF
                                    Participant

                                      i agree

                                      i went for fna today

                                      radiologist had my wife and i sit up and look at ultrasound…said what he thinks we are seeing is a mass in or on my salivary gland (i assume parotid by locating at base of right ear lobe). 

                                      my primary melanoma was on right earlobe.

                                      we wait 3 to 5 days for results but no matter what a jumbo olive sized hard lump in my nick has to come out.

                                  Viewing 9 reply threads
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