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Melanoma: My journey with recurrance and surgery stage 3
I had a melanoma removed from my scalp two years ago (with a sentinel lymph node removal), and this forum was a great help.
I was told that nothing was found, and that I was all set, except to do quarterly skin checks with my dermatologist.
Well, last week I discovered a lump on my neck, just below where the SLN were removed. Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa got me in the next day (I feel lucky to live only 40 minutes away), and based on an ultrasound, told me I needed to get it biopsied, which happened this morning.
The PA did not really indicate that this might be "nothing", so I am a little concerned.
I will check in when I find out the results, which will probably take at least 5 business days.
Mitchell
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Here's an update for my melanoma journey.
I just got my neck dissection surgery scheduled for next Wednesday at Moffitt in Tampa... so a little nervous about that. It is not as simple as "just remove this little nodule from your neck". But it is melanoma and it has to come out.
If anyone else has had this type of lymph node dissection, I would love to hear about how yours went.
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5 Reactions@birdman518 I don't have any experience with this type of surgery. But I wanted to reach out and let you know there are several members here, besides me, and we are sending you our support!
While you will be having that procedure, i will be here in Oregon getting cataract surgery on my right eye. Sounds like we both will be holding down the fort for medical that day!
When will your surgeon talk to you about what will be done for post-surgery treatments?
Ginger
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1 ReactionI am going to hold off on deciding what to do. I may have indicated here previously that I am unlikely to do standard of care treatments. Look up the drug insert for Opdualag, which is what the oncologist recommended. All of the therapies offered damage your immune system. I care much more about quality of life than quantity. I will however look at doing some well-studied (but not approved) therapies such as metabolic therapy... or perhaps something like that done by Care Oncology.
But I greatly appreciate all of the support I get here, and I will keep everyone informed.
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1 ReactionOn my 6, 2023 I had a Positive for cancer Melanoma removed from my upper back. At the same time they removed 2 Lymph Nodes from my neck area and both were negative. The healing was not painful at all and I was out working in my yard two days later but not using that side so as not to do any tearing! But overall no pain meds just itching close to stitch removal time.
Hope this helps and good luck and God Bless!!!
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4 ReactionsThanks, I really appreciate your story!
I just got home from my neck lymph node dissection (yesterday)... They will be doing more biopsies of the material removed. If it does not show more cancer than was found in the original swollen lymph node, I will be pretty happy.
Everything went well but I am exhausted!
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7 ReactionsGlad that is behind you. I hope the results are good news. Best wishes, Amy
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1 ReactionI just got back from getting my two drains taken out. All looks good and I am pleased. They told me that they removed 42 lymph nodes, and only two showed the melanoma, and one of those was already known. They said it would about 6 weeks total for everything to heal up.
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2 Reactionsvery interested in your progress.
please keep it coming
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1 ReactionI too have melanoma stage 4 in my lungs and have hit roadblocks in treatment as well. I am doing the holistic approach but clean vegan diet instead of keto. I just did a 3 day fast. Have you read radical remission? Are you doing acupuncture? I would like to know what else you are trying. Thanks for sharing and pray it turns around for you!