Overwhelmed with so many app’ts

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Overwhelmed with so many app’ts

  • Post
    • December 25, 2016 at 5:39 am
    Aloha14
    Participant

      Ever since I was diagnosed with this melanoma (6 weeks ago) I've had constant appointments at the Cancer Center/Surgery and related clinics/radiology.  I go to a University hospital which is about 2 hours each way from where I live. As soon as I get the stitches out of my lower leg I'll be able to return to my daily workouts at the gym and this will help me relax. 

      Last week the surgeon noticed I have more redness near the incision/around the stitches so I was started on antibiotics in case it is an infection. The surgeon said she won't drain the lump in my groin until she's sure there is no infection which makes sense. However, I want to get rid of this large lump on my upper leg which is very annoying and causing nerve pain. Having to spend 3 days at the hospital this week for ultra sound, PetScan, and follow up app't with surgeon unfortunately, all on different days.   

      Additionally, I was seen by a genetics counselor and tested for BRAC 1 which was positive. So I've been to another surgical consult that deals with patients with high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. The research showed that positive BRAC 1 are at much higher risk for Melanoma. I actually had the Melanoma but didn't know when I was at the initial consult in Nov. So last week I had a breast MRI-talk about anxiety when I had to go into a closed MRI machine! Add on my usual back/neck pain that's more aggravated from traveling and procedures. 

      Hoping the Pet/CTscan machine has a wider diameter than the closed MRI. Thanks for listening. 

       

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • December 25, 2016 at 4:28 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

          There isn't much that isn't a huge pain in the ass about this disease.  However, there is benefit to their thoroughness, so hang in there.  I may have mentioned this to you in a past post, but I finally had my seroma opened at my surgeon's office.  A few weeks before that I was traveling and at the airport.  I bent down to pick up my bbriefcase and the seroma popped….right there!!  It looked like I,had a major urinary issue.  So, back home I went.  It healed and once again accumulated to that same uncomfortable level when I saw my surgeon.  He open d it there in his office on the examining table.  I had to change the dressing every day (they used Sorbsan, which worked great!  It took about six weeks before I was able to have my CLND.  That was five years ago and so far so good.

          hang in there and enjoy the holidays!

          Best,

           

          stan

            • December 25, 2016 at 7:03 pm
            Aloha14
            Participant

              Thanks Stan for replying and tellingme about your experience. I hope you have a nice holiday.

              • December 25, 2016 at 7:03 pm
              Aloha14
              Participant

                Thanks Stan for replying and tellingme about your experience. I hope you have a nice holiday.

                • December 25, 2016 at 7:03 pm
                Aloha14
                Participant

                  Thanks Stan for replying and tellingme about your experience. I hope you have a nice holiday.

                • December 25, 2016 at 4:28 pm
                SABKLYN
                Participant

                  There isn't much that isn't a huge pain in the ass about this disease.  However, there is benefit to their thoroughness, so hang in there.  I may have mentioned this to you in a past post, but I finally had my seroma opened at my surgeon's office.  A few weeks before that I was traveling and at the airport.  I bent down to pick up my bbriefcase and the seroma popped….right there!!  It looked like I,had a major urinary issue.  So, back home I went.  It healed and once again accumulated to that same uncomfortable level when I saw my surgeon.  He open d it there in his office on the examining table.  I had to change the dressing every day (they used Sorbsan, which worked great!  It took about six weeks before I was able to have my CLND.  That was five years ago and so far so good.

                  hang in there and enjoy the holidays!

                  Best,

                   

                  stan

                  • December 25, 2016 at 4:28 pm
                  SABKLYN
                  Participant

                    There isn't much that isn't a huge pain in the ass about this disease.  However, there is benefit to their thoroughness, so hang in there.  I may have mentioned this to you in a past post, but I finally had my seroma opened at my surgeon's office.  A few weeks before that I was traveling and at the airport.  I bent down to pick up my bbriefcase and the seroma popped….right there!!  It looked like I,had a major urinary issue.  So, back home I went.  It healed and once again accumulated to that same uncomfortable level when I saw my surgeon.  He open d it there in his office on the examining table.  I had to change the dressing every day (they used Sorbsan, which worked great!  It took about six weeks before I was able to have my CLND.  That was five years ago and so far so good.

                    hang in there and enjoy the holidays!

                    Best,

                     

                    stan

                    • December 27, 2016 at 2:47 pm
                    Hukill
                    Participant

                      I understand as my treatment and drs are 2 1/2 hours each way. Talking to them about the drive has really helped as they try to get everything scheduled in 1 day. I am also lucky due to it being the VA, I get vouchers for lodging and get mileage. If you are having to spend the night their social worker may be able to get your lodging taken care of some how, never hurts to ask.

                      • December 27, 2016 at 2:47 pm
                      Hukill
                      Participant

                        I understand as my treatment and drs are 2 1/2 hours each way. Talking to them about the drive has really helped as they try to get everything scheduled in 1 day. I am also lucky due to it being the VA, I get vouchers for lodging and get mileage. If you are having to spend the night their social worker may be able to get your lodging taken care of some how, never hurts to ask.

                        • December 27, 2016 at 2:47 pm
                        Hukill
                        Participant

                          I understand as my treatment and drs are 2 1/2 hours each way. Talking to them about the drive has really helped as they try to get everything scheduled in 1 day. I am also lucky due to it being the VA, I get vouchers for lodging and get mileage. If you are having to spend the night their social worker may be able to get your lodging taken care of some how, never hurts to ask.

                      Viewing 5 reply threads
                      • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                      About the MRF Patient Forum

                      The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                      The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                      Popular Topics