Wellness

[Big Sister]

My husband was a Melanoma survivor. It was caught early, he had surgery on his face and they got it all out and the lymph nodes were clean.

The important thing is to catch it early. Good luck!

[okiebug]

My husband is a melanoma survivor. His was about 1"" diameter on the back of his shoulder about half way between his neck and arm. It was so close they checked the lymph nodes in his neck and under his arm to see which system it was draining to. They took out about 1/3 of the nodes under his arm. His incision was about 2"" deep and 6"" long but they got it all. he's doing fine after 3 years.

Wishing you and your husband the best.

[Kachina624]

My dad successfully had a melanoma removed from the area around his elbow about 15 years before he died of a heart attack. They are very common in the high desert of the Southwest where the sun is unusually intense due to the altitude. After that, he always faithfully used sunscreen and wore a broad-brimmed hat. He was a golfer and spent a lot of time outside in the sun.

[Ditzydori]

what wonderful success stories. Thanks so much. I am very encouraged.

[MarieIG]

My Dad had melanoma(on his back) in his late 50s. He had surgery which left a huge scar, but the melanoma never came back and he lived for another 25 years.

[esmeraldagooch]

ditzy, So sorry to hear about your husband. What group did he have? Group 1 and 2 are the easiest to get rid of by surgery as they haven't spread. I had a group 1 at age 35 on my back. That was in 1991. I had a surgery and another to take a large area around the mole off. I am fine but wear protective clothing and try to stay out of the sun.

Once it has spread it's really dangerous. There is a doctor in Nashville who was in the last stages after it spread and he actually made a concoction and healed himself. I saw him on Fox and Friends and kept his website incase I get it again and it spreads. He is working with people and is successful. Here is his site.

http://spotlight.vitals.com/2009/10/dr-stephen-cantrells-melanoma-self-cure-helps-his-patients/

[viva923]

I am so sorry to hear of this. . our newspaper just did a huge article this past sunday about this medical problem.

[Ditzydori]

Well here's an update. Now I'm really worried. The doctor called today with the results of his biopsy. It didn't sound too good to me but he said he was hopeful. He said that the melanoma is 1 3/4 cm. He also said that they 3 criteria for evaluating melanomas, and if you have one, they send you for lymphnoid biopsies. He has all three. Also he said something is suppose to be a little over 1 but his is 5. Boy how I wish I recorded the conversation.

They are going to call me tomorrow with the info and the appointment to go to New York City to Sloan Kettering (sp). It is a specialized hospital for people with cancer.

He feels fine. Just a complete shocker. I am going to try to remain optimistic because all of your success stories, combined with co-worker success stories have given me much hope.

I am a breast cancer survivor of 20 years.

Also the doctor told me he has to check his eyes, to tell my children and his parents and siblings to be checked once a year because it is inherated. What a very full conversation with the doctor. My head is spinning. My husband has a good attitude, though. He has NEVER been to a hospital. He is diabetic, and I hope that doesn't pose any further problem. Never a dull moment in this life.

Once again, thanks so much for your prayers and support.

[makeup addict]

Yes, if a parent has melanoma, children are more susceptible to that Sam cancer. See my post about my dad on the thread. I get checked every year and so far I've had no issues. I also stay out of the sun and weta sunscreen when I do. Maybe he was talking about a Clarke level 5 ? That could be how deep the cancer is. Get a notebook and start writing down your questions for the doctors. Take notes when you meet with them. Don't be affraid to ask questions and to ask them to repeat information. Please keep us posted.

[MarenSeattle]

I had it and am 100% cured! It was in late 1989 -- and I just went to the dermatologist to get a prescription for Retin-A. I had a mole on my chest that didn't look alarming, but I just thought it looked different . I'd asked my family physicican about it but he said it was nothing, but I thought I'd ask the dermatologist.

He biopsied right then, and called me a couple of days later with the diagnosis. Sent me to a specialist, who removed it. They got it all -- it was pretty close to getting into my bloodstream so they removed a lot of surrounding tissue.

And that was it. Went back for checkups a few times but no problem. It's been 25 years with no worries, and no incidence of it elsewhere.

It sounds as though his doctor is being very thorough which is a good thing!

So take heart! There a a LOT of melanoma survivors kicking around!

EDIT -- apologies for the size/italics -- on my iPad and I screwed up the html codes. :-)