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ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
@ShowMe, I know you probably couldn't the mole well since it was on your back but could you describe it at all? I have one in the middle my back that is the same skin as my skin, nothing funny about it at all.

A couple of times during normal exams, I mentioned it to my doctor and he said it was nothing. Reading what you've said has made me curious again. Thanks.

Oh my gosh......will do what I can to help you out.

First, I suggest that you see a dermatologist to see what he/she thinks. This is nothing to fiddle with. Apparently mine started out the same way as you described what yours is like. You are right, there is no way to see what is on my back.

I knew something was there, but had no idea it was a cancer. When I had my mammogram last January it was detected at that time. A lymph node popped up over night under my right arm, and it was close enough to my right breast for it to show up on the mammo. My primary doctor immediately made an appointment for me to see an oncologist......and I am so thankful he did. The mole was getting larger and I could feel it......and it started getting bigger and bigger after the mammo was done. They did a biopsy on the lymph node and it came back as the melanoma. Then my oncologist wanted me to have a full body PETscan done.....that way they would know where all it was in my body. Also my primary doctor had a chest x-ray done on me, and it showed a spot in my upper lobe of my right lung.

This has been no picnic.....has been going on since the first part of February with treatments. The first series was 1 treatment every 3 weeks (4 treatments).....then another PETscan.....and Brain MRI to be sure it wasn't in my brain too. It wasn't...... After all of this, he then put me on the OPDIVO.....which is done by infusion......each treatment taking 1 hour. This is very potent and there are side affects. But if it gets rid of the cancer it is worth it.

The mole on my back has been releasing the cancer outwardly and I have to change the bandage sometimes 2 times a day. I prepare my bandage before removing the one on it, clean off the area around it to get the tape residue off, but never put anything on it. When I get my shower I use soap and water on it and rinse it really well. Never rub it.

During one of my checkups with my oncologist, I asked him what stage was my cancer in. He told me it is Stage 4.....as that is where all melanoma is......

I really hope this hasn't scared you......but please don't put off having it checked out......just to ease your own feelings on this......

When you have seen the doctor on this, please come over to ShowMe's Mr. Lucky thread and let me know. Never hesitate to ask me any questions.

Good luck, and know folks are hoping for the best for you....

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@JustJazzmom wrote:
If you have any doubts about changing skin conditions see a dermatologist.

ABCDE of moles
Asymmetrical needs to be looked at

Border should be smooth and not uneven

Color should be uniform and not multi colored

Diameter of benign moles should be smaller than the pencil eraser tip

Evolving moles-- mean those that are changing shape, color and form over time

Some doctors even use the letter F-- Feeling itchy or painful-- these get removed as well

Thanks for posting this. Mine got itchy.....and fortunately it has never hurt. The doctor gave me meds just in case it ever got that way. The itching has been going on all the while I've been on treatments.....and the doctor knows this. But I never ever scratch it.....

I have not had any kind of surgery with mine....it has all been chemo treatments.

Mmsfoxxie · ‎06-19-2010

Thanks @ShowMe and @JustJazzmom. In the past, I've went by the abcde conditions and don't have those. It does itch sometimes though. It's been there for years.

Thanks for the detailed description, ShowMe. I'll have it checked out as a priority rather than an "oh, by the way" discussion with my doctor after the holidays. As I said, it's been looked at but maybe it was casually by my doctor when I was there for something else.

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore to be happy”. (By Nightbirde, singer of the song, It’s Ok)

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@Mmsfoxxie wrote:
Thanks @ShowMe and @JustJazzmom. In the past, I've went by the abcde conditions and don't have those. It does itch sometimes though. It's been there for years.

Thanks for the detailed description, ShowMe. I'll have it checked out as a priority rather than an "oh, by the way" discussion with my doctor after the holidays. As I said, it's been looked at but maybe it was casually by my doctor when I was there for something else.

I am glad that you will be having it checked out soon.....for your own peace of mind. Oh my, how I wish I would have done that when it started itching on my back.

I hope I didn't scare you too much......but at least you know what I've been going through on a day to day basis.

If you have some one that lives with you.....like a DH......have him take a look at it. And see what he thinks about it. If not, then the doctor will be able to guide you.

I have an excellent primary doctor that I have been going to for quite a number of years now....and have a lot of confidence in him.....and trusted him to direct me to a fantastic oncologist....whom I trust very much and like very much.

Gemspirit · ‎01-23-2015

No one deserves the beast that is cancer. Both my parents were taken because of it way too soon. And while both suffered, my mom had the worst journey of them. Time waisted with chemo, painful procedures etc.. What my opinion on President Carters news is, "absolutely brilliant!". God Bless Him!!! I heard about this news Friday via a humanitarian institute I am a member and volunteer of.

He is a very humble man ~ charitable ~ a true humanitarian. I doubt from the two times I've met him & what I know about him, that he would take an elitist approach to cancer treatment. He would not take medications not affordable to others.

God Bless President Carter. He is a man that sees himself as any other man and while I'm sure he and his family are rejoicing; they are also looking into ways to help others dealing with similar forms of cancer!