Just Diagnosed with Early Stage Melanoma

My father had/has melanoma - this is GREAT that you caught it early!!!

His was on his neck and hands....he has a couple of "pits" where they had to take out more than just the top epidermis but he's doing good!!!

You will be good!!

Sorry to hear this!
I'm waiting for that to happen to me too. I was always a sunworshiper as well. Not anymore now tho. I've had a few spots looked at that havent been anything-- so far... but I'm pretty certain my day is coming mostly because my grandpa wasnt a sunworshiper and he's been having melanomas removed for about the last 20 years. He hasnt had any bad side affects from it other than having to go in and get cut on and stitched back up, if that makes you feel any better. As long as you stay on top of it so it doesnt get into your bloodstream you will be okay. Gramps is 92 and still goin strong.
You can use this for your benefit, you have a soap box to stand on now to warn people about over exposure to the sun and you are getting a good jump start to protect your own kids as well. I don't believe it's ALL about the sun, I'm sure there are other variables to getting skin cancer too. Educate yourself and live a more preventative lifestyle and keep spreading your knowledge about the subject so you can help others along the path.

This is one of the most curable things if it's caught early.
You'll be fine!
You'll be better with the sunscreen from now on for you and your family and making sure your kids are more educated about tanning and the dangers it can bring.

My SIL had early stage melanoma removed years ago - two or three of them on her legs. She goes for check ups every six months and it's never re-occured. This was about 8 years ago I think. The "funny" thing is that she's not Irish or northern European descent - her grandparents are from Greece and she's got dark hair, eyes & skin. So you just never know. But she's been fine with no reoccurence since the original one. phew!

I am very sad to say that I just lost my father to this because it was not caught early. He had a very advanced melanoma (misdiagnosed by a negligent doctor on two occasions) on his skin ten years ago which was removed along with lymph nodes. Two years ago he was diagnosed with a melanoma brain tumor and eight weeks ago he died from it. You are a very very lucky person. Keep a very good check on yourself and never miss your checks. You should live to be a ripe old age with many grandchildren. Check, check, and check again. Do it every three months, and get blood tests.

A mid-40's woman who lives near us caught an early-stage melanoma on her thigh about 6 years ago. Wide local incision, no other treatment besides close monitoring. She loved to lay in the sun in her younger years, too. There has been no further sign of the cancer, and the constant anxiety she used to live with has gradually faded away.

Sorry for your shocking news. I wish you as good an outcome as my neighbor.

Both of my parents were diagnosed with it, on their faces. My mother had hers under her nose and to the right a bit. My dad had his on the top half of his nose and between his eyes. They both were a bit worried. They both had that section of skin removed...my mom had to go in twice since they didn't get it all the first time. They both look great! Their scars are barely noticeable and they have had no reaccurance. Since they caught it so early I will cross my fingers that things go just as well for you.
I got something on my facebook about 2 weeks ago called, "Dear 16 year old me" and it was talking about melanoma. Risk factors, if you will. I wanted to just share them with everyone.
-If you have more than 50 moles
-If you have every been seriously sunburned, even once, in your lifetime
-If your parents have ever been diagnosed with it.
(I am sure there was one more, but I forget it! I have all three of those, I guess that's why it stuck with me)
Hang in there mama...you will be great!
L.

I totally understand.
I was 27 when I found the first malignant melanoma. (No kids at that point.) They told me that I was too young to worry about such things, but they would take it off since I was concerned. Turns out I was right. They also had to do a wider excision with that one - the only time that has happened. They did the excision and then life continued.
I found the 2nd and 3rd spots when pregnant with my second. Those were also removed, and life continued.
I am now 33, and have 3 kids - ages 5, 3, and 2 months. I have just found another spot that looks 'bad' - I have the appt to remove it, but just found it over the weekend.
It IS scary. The good news is that they are able to take it off when it is just local! That means that while you have had a cancerous spot, and will need to keep your eyes on your skin, at least at this point, you are otherwise OK.
My recommendation is to take pictures of all your skin. Pictures that are good enough that you can compare current spots with future spots. This will give you a baseline to compare against. (It has been helpful for me, as sometimes I forget what spots I already have!)
Also, while I do not think that tanning helped things, I also do not think that it is the only cause of these. The places I have gotten them are not where I have burned, or tanned.... I think it does not help, but is not the only thing. (I joke that I picked my parents poorly - although that said, I am the only one of the family with these things. :( )
It should be OK. Most of the people with these caught at this stage have no further problems. I surprised them by showing up with more. Still, though, all have been caught early.
What I have noticed that for me, it has changed my outlook on life. I am not living in fear, or expecting to die -but I am being thankful for the days that I have, and enjoying the time that I have. I am not living only for a future. I enjoy my kids today, I do things with them now. I would not want to regret how I spent my time later. That said, I plan to be around until my 90's (like the rest of the women in my family) - enjoying today does not mean that I am giving up on tomorrow.
It has changed my perspective on what matters in life - that is for sure. :)

My guess is that you will do fine. They caught it early, that is good. Take care of yourself, and your little people. :) Be thankful they caught it now.

PM me if you want. I don't have all the answers, but have had a few more years to think about these things. :)

Best wishes!

I am sorry as I do not have any experience with this but just wanted to respond that I hope your treatments go well!

I know that it is tough to hear that report; do not beat yourself up over past decisions; but focus on what can be. You will make it through this; I know several people with melanoma and other types of cancers that were able to beat it. So don't give up. As a mom explain to the little girl what is happening and let her know that you are taking a stand for better health and the rid the melanoma. Over all you will be able to teach your children how to protect themselves as you get better.

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