Malignant melanoma
Hello all, I was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma. I had 3 moles removed, 2 from my upper right chest, and one from middle lower back. The 2 on my chest are cancer, one is melanoma, and the other has pre cancerous cells. I am having surgery on Sept 20th to remove more skin around the 2 moles on my chest, and the description on the Mayo portal says Excision split thickness skin graft lower extremity, excision full thickness skin graft lower extremity, and flap closure skin/soft tissue defect. I have been looking those descriptions up but reading different answers. I was just curious if anyone else has had these procedures done and what I can expect. I am very nervous about the whole thing.
Liked by Scott, Volunteer Mentor, grandmaR
@joe0818 Glad to hear the surgery went well for you! There are several remedies to help the scar heal nicely, one that several people suggested to me was Vitamin E. Break open a capsule and use the oil inside on the stitch line to help. It worked for me, not sure if you want to try it? I also used arnica montana, a homeopathic remedy, to assist with any bruising.
Ginger
I am just worried about it coming back, thank !!!
REPLY
Barb
@bdpp
@bdpp
Posts: 12
Joined: Aug 12, 2019
@bdpp Checking in with you, to see how you are doing since your doctor's visit on Sept 14?
Ginger
Whew, that seems so long ago. Thank you for checking on me, Ginger.
Writing from Mesa Verse National Park, our resting spot after 10 days at ABQ Balloon Fiesta. Wasn’t sure if we would make it to NM after mobility issues from my 9/20 craniotomy.
9/20 Craniotomy to remove 3cm lesion, 98% removed.
Conservative as near language and motor skills.
9/25 Gamma Knife to tackle the other 2 spots and to radiate the cavity.
2.5 hours of radiation.
After surgery, went through steroid hell, slept 5 hours in 5 days. Once off Meds started sleeping in 2 hour pockets. Good, but not sufficient. Rosen, massages, acupuncture, all tried all helped, some. Think getting away has helped the most.
Determined to make it to ABQ. We missed last year (#5) due to mastectomy and I was not going to let melanoma take another trip from me. Left Minnesota after my immunotherapy appointments on 10/3. We drive, actually my wife drove, as I could not drive. Took a walking aid with a seat just to be sure I had a place to rest. Didn’t like taking it, but thankful that I did.
Graduated to quarterly PET and MRI scans, and I have decided on getting a port.
Head back to Rochester tomorrow….
Living life to the fullest!!
Barb
REPLY
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
@gingerw
@gingerw
Posts: 2071
Joined: Jul 26, 2018
Whew, that seems so long ago. Thank you for checking on me, Ginger.
Writing from Mesa Verse National Park, our resting spot after 10 days at ABQ Balloon Fiesta. Wasn’t sure if we would make it to NM after mobility issues from my 9/20 craniotomy.
9/20 Craniotomy to remove 3cm lesion, 98% removed.
Conservative as near language and motor skills.
9/25 Gamma Knife to tackle the other 2 spots and to radiate the cavity.
2.5 hours of radiation.
After surgery, went through steroid hell, slept 5 hours in 5 days. Once off Meds started sleeping in 2 hour pockets. Good, but not sufficient. Rosen, massages, acupuncture, all tried all helped, some. Think getting away has helped the most.
Determined to make it to ABQ. We missed last year (#5) due to mastectomy and I was not going to let melanoma take another trip from me. Left Minnesota after my immunotherapy appointments on 10/3. We drive, actually my wife drove, as I could not drive. Took a walking aid with a seat just to be sure I had a place to rest. Didn’t like taking it, but thankful that I did.
Graduated to quarterly PET and MRI scans, and I have decided on getting a port.
Head back to Rochester tomorrow….
Living life to the fullest!!
Barb
@bdpp Oooh, the balloon festival! I have that on my bucket list. Several years ago I was at an annual kidney patient education day, and the gal next to me had just returned from it. I bet the joy and excitement that was in her eyes, was the same type you had! Good for you, thinking ahead for comfort in watching; don't be hard on yourself, that was smart to have an aid-with-a-seat thing. You have had quite the journey, and thank you for letting us know you are doing okay.
Ginger
Liked by Becky, Volunteer Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
@gingerw
@gingerw
Posts: 2071
Joined: Jul 26, 2018
I am just worried about it coming back, thank !!!
@joe0818 It will be constant vigilance the rest of your life. And that is okay, remember you are worth it!
Ginger
Liked by Becky, Volunteer Mentor, joe0818
@gingerw
@bdpp Checking in with you, to see how you are doing since your doctor's visit on Sept 14?
Ginger
Liked by Becky, Volunteer Mentor