Melanoma is the least common but most deadly form of skin cancer.
To determine how serious Melanoma is its measured in mm:
This measurement, in millimeters (mm), is the actual thickness of the melanoma which is a reflection of the depth of penetration of the tumor into the skin. Tumors less than 1 mm thick (0-0.99 mm) are considered lower risk; those 1.0-3.99 mm are intermediate risk, and 4.0 mm or more are higher risk.
Melanoma is what I was recently diagnosed with. No worries, I'm fine. :) I had a funky mole that I finally decided to have checked out. I honestly didn't feel concern or worry or fret over it at all. I was a little surprised when my doctor cut it off and cut around it in an eye shape right then and there. Here's what it looked like before. . . acutally about a year and a half ago. It changed quite a bit in the year and a half. Size, shape, color.
Here's what it looked like after he cut it out. 3 stitches. :) Wahoo, first ones I've ever been able to see. The doctor sent it off to the lab and that's when he told me it was melanoma. He freaked me out a little. I hadn't been afraid and then he was obviously concerned and nervous.
Then he sent it to a lab in UT to find out how thick my melanoma was. The thinner the better. Below one mm means its in the good stage. And that's where mine is. I had to get more around my stictches cut. At first Dr. Spicer said we'd have to do a skin graph, but my cancer was so thin that they didn't even have to do that. This time 9 stitches.
Here's what it looks like today. I got my stitches out today. Dr. Spicer said my last tests came back good. I have to take two more tests and then I should be in the clear, a chest x ray and a blood tests(Melanoma dwells in the liver and lungs). After that I have to go in for a yearly check up for 5 years.Its been kind of a wierd month and I haven't really been wanting to share all this crazy junk, but I'm over it. I'm just really thankful to be healthy and happy. The day the doctor freaked me out I felt realy grateful for my life and for my family. We had family scripture and prayer, read to the boys and then Jeff and I just hung out and I knew I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I so grateful for what I have and for the good things we know to teach our boys.
p.s. FYI Dr. Spicer- great for moles, not so much for boob jobs. ha ha
7 comments:
I'm glad everything is ok. I bet it was scary, I would have freaked out. It is times like that I think we, like you said, realize how lucky we are. Love ya girl!
So glad you are okay! Sam keeps getting after me to have the mole on my face checked. A nurse told me she is pretty sure it is skin cancer. I guess I'm a little to afraid to actually make the appt. but I know I need too. By the way, your insission looks aweful!:( Hope it heels fast.
Good to know that I shouldn't go to Dr. Spicer for my boob job. ;) That is pretty crazy that you had melanoma, when you just go to get a little mole checked and find out it is worse, that is crazy. But it is good that things are better now. I think melanoma is pretty freaky Daryl's uncle died from it, but it was much more severe. Now you have a narly scare to show people.
Jen, holy cow! That's crazy! I am so glad you are okay. War wounds are cool, but I hope you don't try to get another one. :) I hope everything stays good.
Jen,
Nate told me about this craziness. We've really been thinking about you, and I'm relieved to hear that everything is checking out ok. Nothing like a little brush with cancer to put life in perspective:)
Been ther done that Jen. so happy it turned out good for you. I havent been checked again in many years so probably should go again. Is this Doctor here in town?
Jen - I am glad to hear things are going well, I know how it feels to be an experiment & not know what is going on.... I am glad yours is going so well... I hope that infection clears up soon!! You are so sweet!! (Loved your comment about the boob job! Good to know :)
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