Malignant Melanoma

@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
January 25, 2010 2:58pm CST
I hesitate to write this because we are trying to stay positive and up-beat. However I'm curious to say the least. My elder daughter phoned me yesterday to say that she had the mole on her leg checked and it was removed. The results came and her GP advised her that the news was not good. It was a malignant melanoma. They will be operating again on Monday next to see if they got it all and to check the lymph nodes in that area. My daughter Googled for some information but became confused and overwhelmed by all the information there. She has a friend with a Ph.D. in Science and another friend who is a GP. They are going off her results and advising her as to what everything means. Firstly, I would like to ask what your experiences are with malignant melanoma, if you have any, could you share them with me please. Secondly, I'm asking for all my friends to send good and healing energies to my daughter and to keep her in your prayers if you pray. I know she is a total stranger to you all but I want all the help we can get
11 people like this
25 responses
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
25 Jan 10
With early detection, surgical removal is all she may need. Hope nothing is in her lymphatic nodes. Long term cure for melanoma depends on stage. In most cases is relatively good. meditation and pray is very helpful, but with melanoma, the timing with all tests is crucial, do it as soon as possible.
5 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Jan 10
The one thing we are confident about is the early detection and removal so far. Thanks polar.
3 people like this
• United States
25 Jan 10
She is in my prayers as I personally know how powerful prayers can be.
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Jan 10
Bless you whiteheather.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
25 Jan 10
I would be honored to say a prayer for your daughter, which I did already. Thanks for asking, I have come here on mylot and asked for prayer too, its a nice feeling to know that so many people are praying for you or a member of your family. As to my experience with it. Recently my neice had a mole taken off, it had been growing. They cut that out, they also checked her lymph nodes and that was all clear. I think there is a hig success rate for a cure when caught earlier and they get it all. Think positive....I am so sorry that you all are going thru this, its scary.
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Jan 10
Yes, we are quite apprehensive but being as positive as we can. I'm sure everything is fine. Thank you Polly, you are a good friend.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
25 Jan 10
Of course I will keep your family in my prayers during this trying time, Ms Tickle. I don't know a whole lot about malignant melanoma, but I understand that they are getting better results all the time in treatment, especially if it's caught in the early stages. Your daughter is fortunate to have friends who are knowledgeable enough to provide her with some of the answers she seeks.
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Jan 10
Thank you so much worldwise. The feed back is really good so far.
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
9 Feb 10
I'm so sorry about this. Sorry I came late to this discussion. So how is your daughter now? I hope that all is well on her end.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
10 Feb 10
Hi zed...no worries about being late as I've been off line for 12 days and briefly using a friends computer off and on. It's been really difficult not being able to lean on my friends. My daughter met with her surgeon and he ordered a CT scan which came back all clear...that gave us a huge sigh of relief. At the moment, she is having a lymph node biopsy which will hopefully tell us that the cancer has not spread at all. I don't know how soon we will get the results. Thanks for the good wishes.
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
10 Feb 10
I really hope the cancer will not spread at all then. Hoping that it's just a lump and nothing more. Be well always..
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
10 Feb 10
And I really hope you will get connected online soon enough to join mylot friends. Wherever you are, do take care and I wish your daughter will be well.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
25 Jan 10
I haven't had it, but like any cancer, if it hasn't spread, it's much better news than if it has spread. Sending best wishes and healing energies in your direction...
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Jan 10
Thanks Dawn...you're a love...much appreciated my friend.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
26 Jan 10
I am so sorry to read this and I will of course keep your Daughter in my Thoughts Please keep me updated how she is getting on and she will be in my thoughts Big Hugs to you you know where I am
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
27 Jan 10
Oh Sweet I wish there with you to comfort you and be your Strength I wish I could help you get to your Daughter I really do Big warm Hugs to you
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Jan 10
As positive as I am Gabs, it's taking a toll on me. I'm trying to be normal and not worry but it's taking a toll on me. I feel very drained. Yes lovely lady, I know where you are. I would feel a lot better if I could see her but she is so far away.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
22 Feb 10
I really felt the friendship coming from this discussion gabs...thanks so much...you were there my dear.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
26 Jan 10
I have had no dealing with this type of thing. and of course am sending prayers and energies to her!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
26 Jan 10
I lit my candles last night and as I blew them out I got the message that Jo is ok but I want to be sure...thanks Lakota.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
26 Jan 10
That sounds good! and your most welcome!
1 person likes this
@royal52gens (5488)
• United States
25 Jan 10
First off, I hope and pray your daughter will be okay. Second, in my medical terminology class we learned how to break words down. Melon/oma means black tumor. Or a tumor that is black in color. It can be malignant or benign. In your daughter situation, she is aware it is malignant. We just got done studying the lymphatic system which includes the lymph nodes. I will try to keep this explanation simplistic. (going from small to large)Think of the lymphatic system as a bunch of little creeks that join (at a lymph node) at the rapids. The lymph and interstitial fluids (water) in the creeks go through the rapids to the river. The rapids serve as a place for the lymph and fluids to be filtered. This way the lymph and fluids that go to the river are cleaner than they were before. But the parts that did not go to the river have to be disposed of by the body otherwise the rapids (lymph nodes) can get clogged up. This clog can lead to more problems. This is why the doctors want to check the lymph nodes. The doctors are looking for any lymph nodes that are having problems disposing of cellular waste products. I hope they find no problems.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Jan 10
Hi royal, thanks for that refresher. I've also done a medical terminology course and also studied phlebotomy for a year. It's the doctor's reports that are quite difficult to decipher but Jo has a doctor friend who is on to it and explaining what is pertinent. When Jo goes back to the surgeon she wants to understand what he is talking about and be able to ask specific questions. She will tackle this head on, no worries about that. She is one very determined lady.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
27 Jan 10
Ms. Tickle, perhaps one of her friends can go with her to be an extra set of "ears". That is recommended for any major medical situation, and I know it would help her so much. Good friends are very much life savers.
• United States
25 Jan 10
Maybe we should get her a medical dictionary to take with her.
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
31 Jan 10
I know a girl that just had the same thing....They removed the mole only to find out it was malignant.Melanoma..She had surgery again they went in and dug out all around it to make sure no root or any was left of it ,... she is fine, no problem whatsoever....They go back in to make sure that all around it is clean and sometimes they do a little chemo...If you do have that ,its easier to get it where she had it..Chances are she will be fine...
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
1 Feb 10
Hi slick, yes, that's where my daughter is at. Hers is an aggressive malignancy. Today she was going to see the surgeon for a follow up chat prior to the second surgery. I'm away from home because I'm off-line at home, I hope she doesn't ring me while I'm out. Thanks for joining in.
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
26 Jan 10
oh dear, I hope and pray your daughter will do well... Maggiepie had a mole taken off the back of her arm that turned out to be a melanoma - some where between a 3 and a 4 level, at that time we were told there were only 5 levels. They did a follow up surgery and blood tests and it hadn't spread - Thank GOD! What melanoma tends to do is start in the mole/lesion, and go down. From there it most often comes back up in an area a few inches around the site. So they go in and take about 2 inches around the site to see if it has gone down and if it has come back up - they check the edges of what they removed looking for cancer cells. In Maggie's case, it had not spread, either down or out and the 2 inches seems to have gotten it all (and its been over 20 years.) If it goes down, then if it gets into the blood or lymphatic system, then it spreads, generally the lymphatic system will get hit first and that's why they look in the lymph nodes - because the lymph nodes are there to catch an isolate impurities. If you remember in 2007, I went to New Jersey because my cousin was dying of cancer - he had melanoma. Because he didn't catch it early it had spread and by the time it was detected, it was too late. I really hope your daughter's has been caught in time. Skin cancers are the easiest to catch, because you do see changes in the moles most of the time. In Maggie's case it was a place where there had been no mole before, and it was raised and black.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
26 Jan 10
That's a very accurate description you there. Jo's follow up surgery is on Monday so we are being absolutely sure to keep on top of things. What I want to know is...if they take the lymph nodes and there is another incidence of malignancy...what happens then?
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
26 Jan 10
Oh I forgot. Jo's report said something about level IV. We are not sure what this refers to...we know that Stage IV is very bad.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Jan 10
She didn't mention blood tests...I'll ask her about that. I don't want her worrying about me being worried which she is likely to do...lol.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
all i can tell you is depending on results,they may recommend chemo. my dad had them popping up all over him,but he was so full of cancer at that point in other areas of his body he isn't really good recovery study.(in other words,it was more the capper than the source) skin has a higher probability of being knocked out than osteo like he had.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
31 Jan 10
Hi Scarlet. I spoke to my daughter yesterday and hers is an aggressive cancer. I'm hopeful they got to it in time but her doctor said the case is still serious. Tomorrow she will see the surgeon, I thought the second surgery was then as well but this is not necessarily the case. I'm sorry you lost your Dad.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
22 Feb 10
OK, If she ends up getting chemo, I'll pass that on. We are waiting on a second opinion from the results of the removal of 2 lymph nodes. There was the possibility of a small number of cancer cells present.
• United States
3 Feb 10
thanks:) i know it's hard,but try to keep your chin up. i think she still has a good chance. if they do choose chemo?if she gets the iron pills they give you sometimes, make sure she takes yogurt or bread with them..something to coat the stomach. my dad said those were rough and pretty foul tasting.they were a necessity,but i think he hated them more than any other aspect of the treatment.
1 person likes this
26 Jan 10
Hi Ms Tickle, I am so sorry to hear this about your daughter, I will send up prayers and healing to your daughter and yourself, please take care and hope all will be well, love and hugs. Tamara
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
26 Jan 10
LOve and hugs to you too Tamara and brightest blessings as well.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
26 Jan 10
LOve and hugs to you too Tamara and brightest blessings as well.
• United States
26 Feb 10
I am sorry that I did not find this discussion sooner. I know that we have already talked about this, but I just wanted to stop by here and leave you another huge hug. You are a Mom, and it is your job to worry, even though you are expected to put on a positive front and act like you are not scared and worried at all. It is a difficult thing that is expected of you, but I am sure that you are doing a great job. If you ever need to talk or vent or anything, I am just a PM away.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
26 Feb 10
Thank you purple. I think these situations are beyond pretence. You have an obligation to be genuine in your dealings with your loved ones. You need to come out and say what you think and say what you feel and let the person know how loved they are and how much you care. Jo knows how I feel but I'm not letting things get me down. I am afraid because now the disease has touched us and that is the nature of this particular strain...one is more likely to get it if another family member has had it previously. Jo's sister and daughters and niece are now closer candidates. Jo said this very thing to her sister in an effort to get her to have the moles on her back checked. Jo knows I'm more afraid now but it means that we are working together to do everything we can to make sure my fears are ungrounded. Jo's been very thorough in her study of the disease and her diagnosis and prognosis and she is very positive. She understands where I'm coming from and this acts as a positive as well, she appreciates my honesty and that I'm not bull sh!tting her about anything.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Feb 10
You are very lucky that you can be open and as honest as you need to be with your family. I agree that is how it should be, but in my family we are expected to keep up a "positive front" while underneath everybody knows just how scared and worried everybody else is. I mean, of course we are allowed to express love and concern, but it is supposed to be done in a more positive way rather than fearful and doubtful. I guess my family is just messed up like that, but it is really nice to know that some families are allowed to express their true feelings without worrying about them "making it harder on anyone".
@nannacroc (4049)
26 Jan 10
I can't help you with the medical part but I sent god wishes and god karma to you and your daughter. Just help her to stay strong and have a positive attitude, it helps with all healing.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Jan 10
That's okay nanna...every little bit helps. Bless you for your kind thoughts and well wishes. She's very strong and determined and we are feeling very positive.
@abbey19 (3106)
• Gold Coast, Australia
27 Jan 10
I haven't had any personal experience with melanomas of any kind, so I can only offer you and your daughter my heartfelt prayers MsTickle. Try to stay as positive as you can as I do believe it helps, along with the power of prayer. There will be many prayers said for you here my friend. I hope and pray all turns out well for your daughter.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Jan 10
I look at your smiley picture Abbey and can't help feeling hope in your prayers. Jo and I are positive the surgeon did the first job well and that the cancer has gone. I'm sure the lymph nodes will be healthy too. Thank you so much for being a wonderful friend to me in this time of need. Blessings to you.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Hey MsTickle~ First of all your daughter is YOUR daughter which means she is part of you which makes her special to all of us! I will be praying for her that the doctors where able to remove all the malignant tissue and she will be ok. I will send as much positive energy her way through you because YOU are special to me and I hope that she will be well~ I don't know too much about malignant melanoma's. I do know my stepfather had one on his nose and was fine for many years. You must keep staying positive and please let us know what happens next! I do promise that I will keep her in my thoughts! Hugs, Leslie
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Jan 10
I'm quite overwhelmed by the warmth of your response. I'm sure Jo is fine but as a Mum, I guess it's normal to be worried. I just wish we were closer...she is 8 hours away. We were only saying at Christmas when she was here how healthy she has always been, this has come as something of a shock. I'm pretty sure that as she returned to her normal busy schedule she will not be letting it worry her. Thanks for your kindness my friend.
• United States
26 Jan 10
Her diagnosis doesn't mean it's the end for her. They have an excellent chance of getting the whole thing. A positive attitude is one of the most important medicines she can use. She will be in our prayers, as will her entire family. May God bless you all.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Jan 10
Hello mysticmaggie. We are confident that they got it all with the initial surgery so i think Jo is more worried about the chunk that will be missing from her leg following the next surgery..she's made some huge changes in her life in the last few years and is looking and feeling fantastic. This has come not only as a shock but also a bit of a blow. We were only saying at Christmas, when she and her family visited, how healthy she has always been.
@artistry (4151)
• United States
26 Jan 10
...Hi MsTickle, My every good thought goes out to your daughter. She should be alright, since they are on top of it, and will proceed accordingly. The treatments for many diseases are improving, early detection for cancer can have good results. I don't know anything about this type of cancer, except to say that there are many survivors. Prayer can go a long, long way. Ask her to visualize herself living and walking and to just keep doing that, have goals and keep reaching for them, she will survive. Take good care. God bless all of you, especially your daughter.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
27 Jan 10
We've been receiving some very positive feed back which is wonderful. My Jo is a very determined, strong and healthy woman so it's easy to be assured of a positive outcome, however she lives 8 hours away and I miss her and I'm still worried. I guess it's natural for a Mum. Thank you so much for you blessings and kind thoughts.
@adck147 (25)
• China
30 Jan 10
i never had a malignant melanoma,but i think i can pray for her. we are strange to each other,but we do it together and try to get the best result.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
31 Jan 10
Thank you, it's very kind of you. I'm sure she's fine but I'm doing everything I can to be positive. Brightest blessings to you.