23-06-2013, 12:39 AM
OK, I know I've been absent for a while as I have been dealing with the changing prognosis and diagnose concerning my skin cancer. I received a follow-up call from an oncologist (referred by my dermatologist) this past Monday. He confirmed that the biopsy from May 24 was indeed melanoma, contrary to the call from the nurse, and he scheduled surgery to remove the remainder of the lesion plus a perimeter of healthy skin. I had the surgery yesterday. They took a circle slightly smaller than a half-dollar, going past the epidermis and into the dermis. Thirteen stitches and some skin "super-glue" later and I'm home. The picture below shows the incision as I removed the bandage today to shower (my right upper arm).
The doctor is pretty sure that the melanoma was stage 1 and has not spread to my lymph nodes. He believes the vitiligo was most likely caused by my body's immune response but that the response occurred because of the skin lesion and not because the cancer had metastasized. He's basing this on the fact that my lymph nodes show no sign of swelling or hardening.
So now I'm in a wait and see mode. My white blood cell count is still elevated but not as high as before, and it can take some time for the immune system to "calm down" after the stimulus is removed. If I notice swelling in my sentinel lymph node (my right arm pit) the I should immediately schedule a follow-up. Otherwise I am clear and will be rechecked for suspicious skin lesions every 3 months for the next year.
As far as my PM dosage, I had stopped for a couple of weeks right after all this started but have since resumed a fairly low dosage (1000 mg/day) to maintain the calming effect and mental benefits.
So far so good. I am at peace with whatever happens from here but am hopeful that the worst is behind me.
Thanks again for the support!
Misty
The doctor is pretty sure that the melanoma was stage 1 and has not spread to my lymph nodes. He believes the vitiligo was most likely caused by my body's immune response but that the response occurred because of the skin lesion and not because the cancer had metastasized. He's basing this on the fact that my lymph nodes show no sign of swelling or hardening.
So now I'm in a wait and see mode. My white blood cell count is still elevated but not as high as before, and it can take some time for the immune system to "calm down" after the stimulus is removed. If I notice swelling in my sentinel lymph node (my right arm pit) the I should immediately schedule a follow-up. Otherwise I am clear and will be rechecked for suspicious skin lesions every 3 months for the next year.
As far as my PM dosage, I had stopped for a couple of weeks right after all this started but have since resumed a fairly low dosage (1000 mg/day) to maintain the calming effect and mental benefits.
So far so good. I am at peace with whatever happens from here but am hopeful that the worst is behind me.
Thanks again for the support!
Misty