I was just diagnosed 2 days ago. I am very scared,and am having surgery on my arm next week. The dr. said it is very early, and surgery should do the trick. I am so scared, because as I look at my body. I am covered in freckles and moles. Now everything is suspect. I had gone to a dr. 3 months ago, and he was a real jerk. Told me that light skinned people form California are paranoid, and I look fine. Well, it took me 3 months to get in to see a new dr., and I did. I showed her the spots I was concerned with ,and she did the biopsy to please me. Although she thought it would result in nothing. Well, she was wrong. The one mole that I weas least concerned about is the one that came back as cancer. The scares so much. I had to be my own dr. in a sense. If you are not hearing what you want to hear from your dr. and you do not feel that you are being cared for in the way you want. Go find another dr. I now know that it is too important to let it go, and just accept the first word. Keep an eye on your own body, and for heavens sake. STAY OUT OF THE SUN.....If anyone has any words of wisdom or comfort please share. Thanx

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Live and Love each day as if it were your last.......

I too was just diagnosed with melanoma, on my leg. And I TOO had to go to several doctors who just looked at it and said, nah it's fine. But I know my body, and I could tell it was changing so I pressed the issue and had to go private pay since my insurance provider makes us go to their clinics, etc. They just wouldn't check it. SO glad I went to my good ole hometown doc, he took biopsy and said, yes, malignant, early stages. So yes, we do have to be our own physician advocates which is bad because how many more folks out there have this and are told, oh you are fine. Now I look at everythingand worry about it. But better safe than sorry. I had a large incision last week and go back in this week for results and to see what is next. Makes me very angry that we have to almost beg for docs to take us seriously. Luckily my family doctor knew me and knew if I was worried, then it's important to see me. I wish everyone the best and stay out of the sun and stay educated! Susie

Sorry to hear that susie. Thanx for responding. I hope you get well soon. My dr. told me that about 50% of the women get it in their legs, and the other 50% get it in their arms. So, I guess we are on track. Thank God you are cautious and keep watch over yourself. As do I..... Good luck to you.....

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Live and Love each day as if it were your last.......

In OUR experience....my husband is a melanoma survivor, we learned that not many Dermatologist are REAL KNOWLEDGEABLE about Melanoma. Yes, it is their field.....but I have heard more ghost stories about Derms than you can imagine. YOU NEED SOMEONE who is big time into this field.

A Melanoma Oncologist or Doctor.

I found the one on my husband...hollered when I saw it....KNEW it was BAD NEWS. A well known Derm here in town looked at it....thought it was not a BIG DEAL...though the thing had not been there....was ugly and had every sign of melanoma and played diddle winks with getting my husband an appt. with a surgeon to get a biopsy ( a few weeks).

The surgeon removed it and called and I took the call for my husband was out of town and he said, GO DIRECTLY to MD ANDERSON...this is MELANOMA. I knew that already.

That was the best advice we have ever received...GO TO A SPECIALIST IN MELANOMA.

MANY, MANY MELANOMA'S do not have the characteristic marks you read about. I have heard many stories of just a pink pimple being melanoma. There is another great message board with MANY posters, that we frequent and if it had not been for them, we may have lost this battle. I don't think I can post the site, but do a search and I think you will find the MPIP board.

YOU DO HAVE TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOC. GET THE BEST with Melanoma...GET THE BEST. IT's your life.

Blessings, Nan

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Blessed <><

I had my first melanoma on my ankle in l987. I also
went to three different doctors!!! The third doctor
took it off and it was melanoma....
I had a second melanoma in l992...It did not fit the
malanoma mold...it was no bigger than a pin head and
was black with a small lump like a pin head under it..
My dermatologist said he didn't think it was anything but if I would feel better he would take it off, it turned out to be melanoma. I just found it with the Lord's help...It was behind my knee....I too have lots of moles and freckles,am blonde with blue eyes...Just
watch for anything that changes or wasn't on your body before...I get a magnifying glass and go over my body...Anything that I think is suspecious my doctor will now biopsy...

Thanx for the reply.... I am glad to hear that others are doing well after having had the same thing as me. I also am sad to hear that like myself we had to go through a few dr's until we found one that will take us seriously. I too am blonde and blue eyes, and very fair, with tons of freckles. I now know that everything is suspect. But the good news is that I had 5 more biopsies done when I went to get my stitches out, and they can back dysplastic, but not melanoma.....Thank GOD.......I am watching closely, as well as my dr. for the next 5 years, and probably longer.........

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Live and Love each day as if it were your last.......

I have also had melanoma removed.

It's a scary diagnosis. Feeling scared is good, it helps me keep out of the sun and use sunsceens when I can't avoid it. I hope you have all been told the heirarchy:
First - stay out of the sun.
Second - wear long clothes when possible. Hats are important.
Third - Use sunscreens on all exposed parts of your body every day of your life.

Get all your friends and especially your relatives to a good (one who will take a biopsy at the drop of a hat) dermatologist. There is not enough public knowledge about melanoma.