malignant melanoma

[smashy]

short and sweet went to my gp for a cyst he said not worried about that whats this? I walked out with an urgent refferal and leaflet on skin cancer that was 10 weeks ago, removed completely with margins on tue i got the result new years eve never heard of malignant melanoma its an absoloute killer .It finished off Bob marley in 8 weeks from finding it on his toe.I had that lesion upper back 30 years I was lucky it hadnt spread waiting for results was the most frightening time zombiefied but so lucky hadnt gone in to lymph nodes point of this post google images of malignant melanoma if you look like you have something like that ,not round different colours getting larger get it checked.

No one knows about this really "ah a bit of skin cancer no problem" well if it is the malignant type you could be in massive trouble...you may have seen hugh jackman and his nose ,thats a walk in the park not malignant.

CHECK YOUR MOLES and LESIONS ...I feel very lucky I am going to live like ive never lived before,

Edited by smashy on Thursday 18th February 20:16

Edited by smashy on Thursday 18th February 20:17

[Patch1875]

Wise words...

Bob had cancer for a few years before he died, he refused to get his toe amputated due to his religious beliefs.

[Monty Python]

It's been in the news often enough due to some people spending hours on sunbeds - I'm surprised you hadn't heard about it before now.

People used to think that a tan was healthy, when in fact it's the body trying to defend itself against UV damage. While you need some sun for vitamin D production, that doesn't mean you have to end up looking like a broiled lobster (10-15 minutes a day is sufficient).

[zeDuffMan]

We hear about malignant melanoma every time the suns begins to appear in the summer. I'd like to live where you are for a few days if you've managed to avoid ever hearing about it.

[smashy]

zeDuffMan said:

We hear about malignant melanoma every time the suns begins to appear in the summer. I'd like to live where you are for a few days if you've managed to avoid ever hearing about it.

ok I will rephrase.......people do not seem to realise what a killer malignant melanoma is squemus and basal which is not really a problem as opposed to "just a bit of skin cancer which they will cut out" like buying a blue cars all you see is blue cars since I got diagnosed all I read is about melanoma but not how really devestating malignant can be.

Plus I hate the sun ,never sunbathe which people think is the cause. It can go back to being burnt as a 7 year old








have a read then please make sure you check yourself out i dont knoow this person just part of a facebook group







My other half in much better environment of hospice which is also much closer to us than hospital. However, spoke to the doc there who confirmed she has "innumerable" brain lesions and the spinal lesion will have now caused permanent paralysis to her lower body.
Neurologically she is deteriorating daily and it is apparent that Pembro is not having an effect. It is horrific watching her unnable to maintain consciousness, see properly, speak intelligably or move herself.
Doc says she has weeks but, to me, she has already gone. Privately (and on this pseudo-private platform!) I have given up hope that she will stabilose. I know I should visit her regularly but it clearly gives her little solace and brings no comfort to me. I don't think I can take my 3 and 4 year olds any longer since it will start to scare them. She hardly engages with them or me, although friends who have visited report her talking lucidly.
I have maintained a Facebook group where I have posted updates for 130 contacts that wanted to follow progress. But I now realise there is little value posting harrowing and relentlessly negative updates. I am beginning to realise that these final days will be a personal battle where kind words and sympathy now slip off me.
Since our situation is no longer a melanoma-specific one but very likely a generic one of watching a loved one die I will thank all the amazing strangers that have helped in the very short time I have been part of the group and wish courage and fortitude to those still able to kick cancer up the but.

Edited by smashy on Friday 19th February 23:31

Edited by smashy on Friday 19th February 23:53

Edited by smashy on Friday 19th February 23:56

Edited by smashy on Saturday 20th February 01:13

[el romeral]

Must admit I am rather terrified of this disease. That something so relatively inconspicuous can be so deadly. Due to having lived in Southern Spain for 16 years I often find myself in the sun rather a lot, very often for much longer than planned and without lotion on. Could I book an appointment to have a whole body visual check up to ensure that all my moles are of the normal variety?

[mcelliott]

el romeral said:

Must admit I am rather terrified of this disease. That something so relatively inconspicuous can be so deadly. Due to having lived in Southern Spain for 16 years I often find myself in the sun rather a lot, very often for much longer than planned and without lotion on. Could I book an appointment to have a whole body visual check up to ensure that all my moles are of the normal variety?

For sure that's a good idea, especially given your history. I'm covered in moles, and really should get them checked more often. A couple of years ago I had some sun-damaged skin removed. Regular check ups are the way forward - this disease in particular, the earlier it's caught the better the survival chances.

[smashy]

El just go and get them checked. Time is the essence with this its how deep its gone is the thing,If its gone deep into the layers of the skin it will find the lymph node chains and blood vessels then your have big problems,

Just do it my friend

[el romeral]

Thanks chaps, I will get this done.

[motco]

smashy said:

El just go and get them checked. Time is the essence with this its how deep its gone is the thing,If its gone deep into the layers of the skin it will find the lymph node chains and blood vessels then your have big problems,

Just do it my friend

My friend's wife was told 1.5mm depth is the threshold between worry and less worry.

[smashy]

motco said:

My friend's wife was told 1.5mm depth is the threshold between worry and less worry.

Hello Motco OP here ,have to tell you buddy respectfully and not in a PH horrible way ,that just isnt true.If its over 1m they will check maybe take the sentinal node out your lymph nodes (google SLNB) and plenty have been unlucky at 1mm

For example if that was on your thigh skin is around 1.9mm so 1.5m its pretty deep. If that was on upperback where skin is around 4mm you have better chances. Anything under 1m is the happy figure

Good Health

[motco]

smashy said:

motco said:

My friend's wife was told 1.5mm depth is the threshold between worry and less worry.

Hello Motco OP here ,have to tell you buddy respectfully and not in a PH horrible way ,that just isnt true.If its over 1m they will check maybe take the sentinal node out your lymph nodes (google SLNB) and plenty have been unlucky at 1mm

For example if that was on your thigh skin is around 1.9mm so 1.5m its pretty deep. If that was on upperback where skin is around 4mm you have better chances. Anything under 1m is the happy figure

Good Health

It was on her thigh and was at almost exactly 1.5mm when excised. She died in 2000 some five or so years after diagnosis. No lymph node involvement was found at any annual check-up. I seem to recall that the routine practice of sentinel lymph node biopsy post-dates her initial diagnosis as it didn't become common until later.