Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Melanoma Identified

March 2nd, Dr. Winter called to let me know he needed to consult with me.  The wart/mole was actually melanoma.  At least 0.8mm in thickness (melanoma went "to the margins") and mitosis > 1.  This means it is an agressive spreading melanoma, and I needed schedule a re-excision.  Thursday March 3rd, my husband an I sat down with the doctor and discussed next steps.

I admire how they made calls for me and set up appointments with a dermatologic surgeon.  I was frustrated when the earliest appointment I could get was March 15th.  All I could think of was that the cancer was growing as I waited.  It took a lot of mental brainwashing for me to think positive during this timeframe.

My initial biopsy site was not healing.  It just kept oozing - I was convinced it was because all of the cells left in the biopsied are were actually cancer and were festering.  Another mental battle.

I am very grateful that I have a great dermatologist who referred me to an excellent surgeon.

Next Steps: Get about 1 1/2 cm around the biopsied site removed, down to the fatty tissue and determine if there were melanoma cells in the surrounding area.

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