Cdngirl

Argh! Just got back from a ollow up wih my family doc. He's more atuned to skin issues, as his primary practice is minor cosmetic surgery (botox, hair transplants, moles etc).

He did confirm everything the dermatologist said, BUT – he disagreed about the 'wait a year, and see me again if you think it's necessary' approach the derm took.

Instead, he wants to remove (biopsy) 3 more moles within the next three months, and have me mole map myself now and 6 months from now for a follow up appointment. 

His words: "Although the dermatologist said there is a 66% risk of atypical moles becoming cancerous, that's not a margin I'm comfortable with". Basically, expect to see him semi-regulary for removals/biopsies.

I know I should be VERY greatful, but irrationally I'm frustrated and sad that this isn't something that I'm "over", but something I'll have to monitor and worry about forever. Sucks, and I know it doesn't even suck that badly for me! 

Thanks again for your patience. It's very comforting to know here's a place I can come to with any questions.

Argh! Just got back from a ollow up wih my family doc. He's more atuned to skin issues, as his primary practice is minor cosmetic surgery (botox, hair transplants, moles etc).

He did confirm everything the dermatologist said, BUT – he disagreed about the 'wait a year, and see me again if you think it's necessary' approach the derm took.

Instead, he wants to remove (biopsy) 3 more moles within the next three months, and have me mole map myself now and 6 months from now for a follow up appointment. 

His words: "Although the dermatologist said there is a 66% risk of atypical moles becoming cancerous, that's not a margin I'm comfortable with". Basically, expect to see him semi-regulary for removals/biopsies.

I know I should be VERY greatful, but irrationally I'm frustrated and sad that this isn't something that I'm "over", but something I'll have to monitor and worry about forever. Sucks, and I know it doesn't even suck that badly for me! 

Thanks again for your patience. It's very comforting to know here's a place I can come to with any questions.

Argh! Just got back from a ollow up wih my family doc. He's more atuned to skin issues, as his primary practice is minor cosmetic surgery (botox, hair transplants, moles etc).

He did confirm everything the dermatologist said, BUT – he disagreed about the 'wait a year, and see me again if you think it's necessary' approach the derm took.

Instead, he wants to remove (biopsy) 3 more moles within the next three months, and have me mole map myself now and 6 months from now for a follow up appointment. 

His words: "Although the dermatologist said there is a 66% risk of atypical moles becoming cancerous, that's not a margin I'm comfortable with". Basically, expect to see him semi-regulary for removals/biopsies.

I know I should be VERY greatful, but irrationally I'm frustrated and sad that this isn't something that I'm "over", but something I'll have to monitor and worry about forever. Sucks, and I know it doesn't even suck that badly for me! 

Thanks again for your patience. It's very comforting to know here's a place I can come to with any questions.

Thanks Jenn!

Have a 6 week holiday to Tuscany this summer already booked…so I know I'll need to be diligent with the sunscreen, and try to avoid pool at peak sun hours. Can't exacly avoid the sun, as it's mostly a winery tour vacation…

BUT – good reminders to be vigilnant, and CHANGES are the key things to look for. 

I think I am still a bit freaked out that it was freckle sized spots with none of the 'ABCDE', which makes me more paranoid about all my 50+ moles…but if paranoia=early detection, I can live with that!

Thanks Jenn!

Have a 6 week holiday to Tuscany this summer already booked…so I know I'll need to be diligent with the sunscreen, and try to avoid pool at peak sun hours. Can't exacly avoid the sun, as it's mostly a winery tour vacation…

BUT – good reminders to be vigilnant, and CHANGES are the key things to look for. 

I think I am still a bit freaked out that it was freckle sized spots with none of the 'ABCDE', which makes me more paranoid about all my 50+ moles…but if paranoia=early detection, I can live with that!

Thanks Jenn!

Have a 6 week holiday to Tuscany this summer already booked…so I know I'll need to be diligent with the sunscreen, and try to avoid pool at peak sun hours. Can't exacly avoid the sun, as it's mostly a winery tour vacation…

BUT – good reminders to be vigilnant, and CHANGES are the key things to look for. 

I think I am still a bit freaked out that it was freckle sized spots with none of the 'ABCDE', which makes me more paranoid about all my 50+ moles…but if paranoia=early detection, I can live with that!

Great news!!! "You do not have melanoma." 

Nearly cried. Why on earth would they make me wait 6 days to tell me?!?

BUT – as you advised, I did get a copy of the pathology report.

For both moles that were removed:

"Dysplastic junctiomal melanocytic nevus, mildly atypical, excised."

How the dermatologist explained it – they had potential to become something, and the cells are "atypical", but they got it all. Continue to self monitor, and if my doc feels like it, come back for another mole check in a year.

How would you explain it? This seemed too simplistic…

ALSO:

He did dermascope a few moles, but does not do mole mapping ("too time consuming with too many unreliable results"). My full body scan involved me in my bra, panties, and a paper gown that opened at the back…so he never checked the moles on my breasts or abdomen? All in all, in and out in about 5 mins…

I see my regular doc tomorrow. Further follow up advice?

Thanks so much for your answers this morning. Best wishes to all on full recoveries. You are generous with your time to help others.

Great news!!! "You do not have melanoma." 

Nearly cried. Why on earth would they make me wait 6 days to tell me?!?

BUT – as you advised, I did get a copy of the pathology report.

For both moles that were removed:

"Dysplastic junctiomal melanocytic nevus, mildly atypical, excised."

How the dermatologist explained it – they had potential to become something, and the cells are "atypical", but they got it all. Continue to self monitor, and if my doc feels like it, come back for another mole check in a year.

How would you explain it? This seemed too simplistic…

ALSO:

He did dermascope a few moles, but does not do mole mapping ("too time consuming with too many unreliable results"). My full body scan involved me in my bra, panties, and a paper gown that opened at the back…so he never checked the moles on my breasts or abdomen? All in all, in and out in about 5 mins…

I see my regular doc tomorrow. Further follow up advice?

Thanks so much for your answers this morning. Best wishes to all on full recoveries. You are generous with your time to help others.

Great news!!! "You do not have melanoma." 

Nearly cried. Why on earth would they make me wait 6 days to tell me?!?

BUT – as you advised, I did get a copy of the pathology report.

For both moles that were removed:

"Dysplastic junctiomal melanocytic nevus, mildly atypical, excised."

How the dermatologist explained it – they had potential to become something, and the cells are "atypical", but they got it all. Continue to self monitor, and if my doc feels like it, come back for another mole check in a year.

How would you explain it? This seemed too simplistic…

ALSO:

He did dermascope a few moles, but does not do mole mapping ("too time consuming with too many unreliable results"). My full body scan involved me in my bra, panties, and a paper gown that opened at the back…so he never checked the moles on my breasts or abdomen? All in all, in and out in about 5 mins…

I see my regular doc tomorrow. Further follow up advice?

Thanks so much for your answers this morning. Best wishes to all on full recoveries. You are generous with your time to help others.

Ok. Deep breath. Here's hoping it's a stage I at most, and they aren't even ordering further exams.

Leaving now – wlll keep you posted.

Boy, have I developed some serious emapthy for what you all went through – and I'm only scratching the surface of those experiences. 

Ok. Deep breath. Here's hoping it's a stage I at most, and they aren't even ordering further exams.

Leaving now – wlll keep you posted.

Boy, have I developed some serious emapthy for what you all went through – and I'm only scratching the surface of those experiences. 

Ok. Deep breath. Here's hoping it's a stage I at most, and they aren't even ordering further exams.

Leaving now – wlll keep you posted.

Boy, have I developed some serious emapthy for what you all went through – and I'm only scratching the surface of those experiences. 

Thank you both for your level-headed and timely replies. I don't know if it's worse to be horribly surprised like you were over the phone, or in my case, they phoned before holiday long weekend, so I've been brewing with the 'what if's' for 5 days now…

Asking for a copy of the report is on my 'to do' list. I'll post once I know more. These boards are so so so hellpful, but being Canadian it's a totally different system of how follow up care works. Yes, a huge releif is free health care (but you pay for medications), but we often have too few doctors, which can lead to months of being wait-listed for something like a CT scan…I'm the type that a lack of information sends me into a tail spin, but the more information I have leads to (at least) a sense of control over an 'action plan'. 

It's also reassuring for people to post their stages. I'm so surprised by my initial google-ing how unlike 'other' cancers, the 'scary' stages of melanoma can be so asymptomatic! You naively think "if it's really bad, I'd know"  – eg extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, etc…but this doesn't seem to be the case with melanoma which is why it's so easy to jump to concusions. I know I'm likely overreacting, but it seems like a stage 0 or 1 can feel the same as someone in stage 4 – is this true?

Other tips on what to ask? How was your news revealed? Did they give you a timeline of treatment? Survival prognosis (wow, is that a scary thing to even type!)? 

Thank you both for your level-headed and timely replies. I don't know if it's worse to be horribly surprised like you were over the phone, or in my case, they phoned before holiday long weekend, so I've been brewing with the 'what if's' for 5 days now…

Asking for a copy of the report is on my 'to do' list. I'll post once I know more. These boards are so so so hellpful, but being Canadian it's a totally different system of how follow up care works. Yes, a huge releif is free health care (but you pay for medications), but we often have too few doctors, which can lead to months of being wait-listed for something like a CT scan…I'm the type that a lack of information sends me into a tail spin, but the more information I have leads to (at least) a sense of control over an 'action plan'. 

It's also reassuring for people to post their stages. I'm so surprised by my initial google-ing how unlike 'other' cancers, the 'scary' stages of melanoma can be so asymptomatic! You naively think "if it's really bad, I'd know"  – eg extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, etc…but this doesn't seem to be the case with melanoma which is why it's so easy to jump to concusions. I know I'm likely overreacting, but it seems like a stage 0 or 1 can feel the same as someone in stage 4 – is this true?

Other tips on what to ask? How was your news revealed? Did they give you a timeline of treatment? Survival prognosis (wow, is that a scary thing to even type!)? 

Thank you both for your level-headed and timely replies. I don't know if it's worse to be horribly surprised like you were over the phone, or in my case, they phoned before holiday long weekend, so I've been brewing with the 'what if's' for 5 days now…

Asking for a copy of the report is on my 'to do' list. I'll post once I know more. These boards are so so so hellpful, but being Canadian it's a totally different system of how follow up care works. Yes, a huge releif is free health care (but you pay for medications), but we often have too few doctors, which can lead to months of being wait-listed for something like a CT scan…I'm the type that a lack of information sends me into a tail spin, but the more information I have leads to (at least) a sense of control over an 'action plan'. 

It's also reassuring for people to post their stages. I'm so surprised by my initial google-ing how unlike 'other' cancers, the 'scary' stages of melanoma can be so asymptomatic! You naively think "if it's really bad, I'd know"  – eg extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, etc…but this doesn't seem to be the case with melanoma which is why it's so easy to jump to concusions. I know I'm likely overreacting, but it seems like a stage 0 or 1 can feel the same as someone in stage 4 – is this true?

Other tips on what to ask? How was your news revealed? Did they give you a timeline of treatment? Survival prognosis (wow, is that a scary thing to even type!)?