Very good possibility of me having melanoma

caliguy

Hi everyone, I'm new here. Anyways as I was saying I believe I might have a serious case of melanoma. I have this large mole on my upper arm which I first noticed 2 years ago. Its diameter is about the size of 3/4ths of a penny. When I first noticed it I first thought it was a freak mole with some brown coloring at the bottom. It would bleed occasionally if I picked at it. But now its bleeding pretty often. Pretty much every day for the last week. Like when I'm sleeping and then wake up I notice a blood stain on my shirt or the sheets. One time it started bleeding just from me touching it. Now its all scabby and sort of hurts. The upper part of the mole where its not scabbed is the usual pink color. But at the bottom on one side there this dark brown color under the skin. Also the past few days I've been getting pain in the same arm (not bad), it sort of feels like it spasming sometimes, sort of feels stiff. I dont know if its because of the scabbing or what. I just found out about Melanoma and now I know what I'm be facing. It could be fatal. And with the mole being so large, 3/4ths of the diameter of a penny, I'm sort of scared now. I had a panic attack just thinking about it this morning.

I've haven't been to a doctor yet. Mostly because I don't have any medical insurance and not alot of money. I lost my job a few months ago. My mom was saying I need to get it checked ASAP like today because if it is indeed cancer and has spread into the bone or somewhere else I could be a dead man. Also I fit the classic description. I'm red haired and fair skinned. When I was a kid I would only get sunburned, not tanned. I'm only 31 years old.

tonester · Experienced user Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 83

Hey Caliguy

Before you get all freaked out, you really need to have a biopsy done.
There could be other explanations.

Catching it early is the trick. It's not so much how big it is as how deep it is.

Next time it's bleeding, go into the emergency room. I don't think hospitals can refuse to help in emergency situations. They might only be obligated to stop the bleeding but at least a doctor will see it and you can get a professional opinion. Also, they might be able to help get the ball rolling or have some ideas for someone in your position without insurance.

Your mom is right, it's really important to have it checked out as soon as possible.

Please, life is precious, YOU ARE WORTH IT and you owe it to yourself and the people who care about you to see what's going on.

I check in here often so if you need someone to chat with I'm all ears.

I wish you the best of luck.

Tony
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brainman

caliguy, I totally agree with Tony. While you should not "freak out" you should seek the advice of a doctor. I hope and pray that it is nothing to worry about. But when it comes to the possibility of cancer, it is better safe than sorry.

You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
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RacerX · Regular Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 20

I'm in the process of going thru this myself... and I don't have insurance either.

Definitely get it checked out. Your family doc should be able to do a biopsy... so you'd have the office visit, and then lab fees. But the lab fees wouldn't be due until after they do the biopsy, and you could probably call and make payment arrangements.

That's the first step, and the most important.

Once they know what it is, then you can get a game plan going.

I get the whole no insurance / can't afford treatment thing... believe me I do. But since the fact is, if you put it off and don't do anything, the outcome will be alot worse then what it could be if you get it looked at now.

Medical bills aren't normally as bad as a car loan or credit cards.... they tend to work with whatever you are able to do for repayment.

Here in NJ they have charity care, which is ran by the state. It goes by your income... maybe your state has something like that.

caliguy

Well I finally saw a dermatologist today. It was a pretty quick visit, only talked to the doctor for a few minutes. He set up an appointment for a "Shave Biopsy" on my mole this Friday.

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