Melanoma In Situ and Anxiety

In Situ means the melanoma is totally confined to the epidermis and therefore has no depth. 

Melanoma in situ has an extremely high survival rate.  After WLE, watch the scar area for any pigment regrowth, watch your other moles for change, and practice sun safety.

An in situ melanoma is less serious compared to other melanoma lesions.  The long term prognosis for you is extremely good.  However, it is understandable when newly diagnosed that your shock and fear factors are high. 

In Situ means the melanoma is totally confined to the epidermis and therefore has no depth. 

Melanoma in situ has an extremely high survival rate.  After WLE, watch the scar area for any pigment regrowth, watch your other moles for change, and practice sun safety.

An in situ melanoma is less serious compared to other melanoma lesions.  The long term prognosis for you is extremely good.  However, it is understandable when newly diagnosed that your shock and fear factors are high. 

In Situ means the melanoma is totally confined to the epidermis and therefore has no depth. 

Melanoma in situ has an extremely high survival rate.  After WLE, watch the scar area for any pigment regrowth, watch your other moles for change, and practice sun safety.

An in situ melanoma is less serious compared to other melanoma lesions.  The long term prognosis for you is extremely good.  However, it is understandable when newly diagnosed that your shock and fear factors are high. 

Stay of the internet and stop searching.  It will only add to your anxiety.  It's easy to project someone elses situation on yourself, and that just isn't realistic.  Everyone is unique and what happens to one has nothing to do with you.  Your prognosis is excellent!  The first year is the hardest – getting past the shock.  But it will get easier with more time.

Janner

Stage 1B since 1992, 3 MM primaries.

Stay of the internet and stop searching.  It will only add to your anxiety.  It's easy to project someone elses situation on yourself, and that just isn't realistic.  Everyone is unique and what happens to one has nothing to do with you.  Your prognosis is excellent!  The first year is the hardest – getting past the shock.  But it will get easier with more time.

Janner

Stage 1B since 1992, 3 MM primaries.

Stay of the internet and stop searching.  It will only add to your anxiety.  It's easy to project someone elses situation on yourself, and that just isn't realistic.  Everyone is unique and what happens to one has nothing to do with you.  Your prognosis is excellent!  The first year is the hardest – getting past the shock.  But it will get easier with more time.

Janner

Stage 1B since 1992, 3 MM primaries.

Lisa – I was diagnosed with early MIS in February 2015.  I had the same reaction as you.  I also have young children.  I did all kinds of crazy research online which only compounded my fear and anxiety.  I still have my weak moments.

So in the last couple of months I have had my full body exam, a WLE on my calf, a few more biopsies of moles I didn't like (derm was OK with them) and waiting for path results, so there has been a lot of anxiety, wound healing and a lot of mental healing as time has gone on.  I think about  my (former) melanoma every day, but I also try and remind myself how lucky I am to have caught it so early.  Our prognosis is excellent, it will not interfere with most of our daily activities (other than the annoyance of putting on extra sunscreen, finding a hat and sunglasses and long sleeves when you go out in the sun, etc.) and the scars will eventually fade.

I had a response to my initial post here (which was very similar to yours) that has stuck with me – consider this a shot across the bow, learn from it, take heed and be vigilant – but don't let this diagnosis rule your world.  If you let melanoma have control over you, it has won.  People like Janner and others on this board have been very helpful to me in providing proper perspective, so I am going to follow their advice.  Eventually you will get to that point – get your WLE, heal, go for regular skin examinations and be sun smart and enjoy your life (and your cute baby!).  You've got lots of living to do! 

Lisa – I was diagnosed with early MIS in February 2015.  I had the same reaction as you.  I also have young children.  I did all kinds of crazy research online which only compounded my fear and anxiety.  I still have my weak moments.

So in the last couple of months I have had my full body exam, a WLE on my calf, a few more biopsies of moles I didn't like (derm was OK with them) and waiting for path results, so there has been a lot of anxiety, wound healing and a lot of mental healing as time has gone on.  I think about  my (former) melanoma every day, but I also try and remind myself how lucky I am to have caught it so early.  Our prognosis is excellent, it will not interfere with most of our daily activities (other than the annoyance of putting on extra sunscreen, finding a hat and sunglasses and long sleeves when you go out in the sun, etc.) and the scars will eventually fade.

I had a response to my initial post here (which was very similar to yours) that has stuck with me – consider this a shot across the bow, learn from it, take heed and be vigilant – but don't let this diagnosis rule your world.  If you let melanoma have control over you, it has won.  People like Janner and others on this board have been very helpful to me in providing proper perspective, so I am going to follow their advice.  Eventually you will get to that point – get your WLE, heal, go for regular skin examinations and be sun smart and enjoy your life (and your cute baby!).  You've got lots of living to do! 

Lisa – I was diagnosed with early MIS in February 2015.  I had the same reaction as you.  I also have young children.  I did all kinds of crazy research online which only compounded my fear and anxiety.  I still have my weak moments.

So in the last couple of months I have had my full body exam, a WLE on my calf, a few more biopsies of moles I didn't like (derm was OK with them) and waiting for path results, so there has been a lot of anxiety, wound healing and a lot of mental healing as time has gone on.  I think about  my (former) melanoma every day, but I also try and remind myself how lucky I am to have caught it so early.  Our prognosis is excellent, it will not interfere with most of our daily activities (other than the annoyance of putting on extra sunscreen, finding a hat and sunglasses and long sleeves when you go out in the sun, etc.) and the scars will eventually fade.

I had a response to my initial post here (which was very similar to yours) that has stuck with me – consider this a shot across the bow, learn from it, take heed and be vigilant – but don't let this diagnosis rule your world.  If you let melanoma have control over you, it has won.  People like Janner and others on this board have been very helpful to me in providing proper perspective, so I am going to follow their advice.  Eventually you will get to that point – get your WLE, heal, go for regular skin examinations and be sun smart and enjoy your life (and your cute baby!).  You've got lots of living to do!