My Melanoma Story

Pepper · New User Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 8 Location: California

Just thought I would share my melanoma experience with you all. Smile

I will try to keep this as brief as possible. lol

I have stage IIb malignant melanoma. It was located on the bottom of my left foot ~ yep, odd place but very common.

I had this "thing" on the bottom of my foot - I can only describe it as a scar. It was small but progressed to about an inch or more long. I never thought much about it except when it would hurt. It would get very tender and almost seems to swell with blood... it would throb and it would bleed as time went on.

I finally went to have it looked at in 2005 and was told by my primary doctors office that it was probably a callous. I knew it was not a callous - so I insisted that it be looked at further. The podiatrist immediatly scheduled a biopsy when he saw it. When he suggested that there was a possiblity that it could be melanoma, I laughed. There was no way I had ever had THAT much sun exposure to the bottom of my foot, lol. A week later - he called me and informed me that it was indeed melamona. Sad

Things went as quickly as they can when you have crappy insurance. But I was sent to a surgeon - a couple months later I had the WLE & SNB. End result, 2.7 mm and clean nodes. But needed to have a RE-excision since they did not get it all. A month or so later - I had a re-excision. End result 3.5 mm but all clean margins.

Then I was sent to an oncologist who wanted to put me on Interferon. I refused so she sent me to Loma Linda for a second opinion. The doctor there at that hospital is more specialized in melanoma and he was awesome! He had my pathology re-read and it was determined that my breslow was actually 5.0 mm!!! Putting me at a stage IIB. He also told me to do Interferon - so 8 months after my surgeries, I started Interferon.

I did 6 high dose treatments and had to quit. My oncologist insisted that my symptoms were NOT the "normal" reactions to Interferon. I ended up with my kidneys shutting down because I could not hold ANY thing down. I was dying from the treatment - not the cancer!!! So I quit - she would not help me with the side effects so there was nothing else I could do.

As of now, I am NED as far as I know. I have not had anymore scans or PET's or x-rays.

Of course there is always that 'fear' that every little thing is related to it. I had a lump on my leg removed because there was a fear that it was a sub-q. It was clean. So now, I am just living my life. I am being cautious but I am not letting it rule my life anymore.

So that is my story - if you have any questions, I would be glad to answer them if I can. Smile

Sorry it is a bit lengthy - I kind of thought it would be a little long.

Have a great day you all!

inkworks · Regular Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 20

Hi Pepper. I'm so sorry to hear about your trouble. It sounds as though you've really been through a lot the past couple of years. I am glad you are doing well at the moment. Do you still go for regular check-ups?

Pepper · New User Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 8 Location: California

Hi there. No, I really don't go for check ups right now. It is basically because I have really stupid doctors. When I have asked my primary doc (who I am in the process of trying to change) to go to a derm, he basically did not see any "reason" to refer me to a derm. The fact that I have stage IIb melanoma matters not. The fact that I SHOULD be getting checked every 3 months for the first 2 years doesn't matter. Sorry - does that sound a little bitter?? LOL Laughing

I am hoping to change to a doctor who is more familiar with melanoma. What surprises me is the lack of knowlege on many DOCTORS part. It is quite scary really.

inkworks · Regular Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 20

Wow that sounds awful. Your doctor doesn't sound like he is being very helpful. I hope you manage to get everything sorted out. Maybe there is someone on here who could give you some advice. Keep us updated.

Best wishes

Kim

Jim_Hall · Regular Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 48

[quote="Pepper"]Hi there. No, I really don't go for check ups right now. It is basically because I have really stupid doctors. When I have asked my primary doc (who I am in the process of trying to change) to go to a derm, he basically did not see any "reason" to refer me to a derm. The fact that I have stage IIb melanoma matters not. The fact that I SHOULD be getting checked every 3 months for the first 2 years doesn't matter. Sorry - does that sound a little bitter?? LOL Laughing

I am hoping to change to a doctor who is more familiar with melanoma. What surprises me is the lack of knowlege on many DOCTORS part. It is quite scary really.[/quote]

That's very bizzare. I wouldn't trust that doc. I think melanoma patients should have a derm checkup at least every year at the very least. Not seeing one at all is stupid. I hope you can find a better doctor.

sodapop · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: My Melanoma Story

Wow, change Doctors asap!

I'm glad to hear your doing well, but this is no joke, you should be getting checks regardless. You don't want this to get out of hand.

Keep us updated.
_________________
Can miracles happen?

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7254

Sodapop--aka "the survivor"!

In · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:46 am Post subject: Re: My Melanoma Story

Pepper- what a story - WOW.

One of the few, And good on you, taking life to the max- the way it should be.

Needless to say- you hear a lecture coming on- Laughing

Get a new Dr ASAP!! You shuld be having checks at least 3 monthly at this stage. If you can't get him/she to refer you- then go to any dr, and get a referal. Or even contact the specialist you had for treatment and ask for a referal.

Anyway- thats all the nagging for now- Good luck and get onto it.
Very Happy

_________________
Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

Smile

9 Lives and still kicking Smile

Pepper · New User Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 8 Location: California

>>>Needless to say- you hear a lecture coming on- Get a new Dr ASAP!! You shuld be having checks at least 3 monthly at this stage. If you can't get him/she to refer you- then go to any dr, and get a referal. Or even contact the specialist you had for treatment and ask for a referal.<<<

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Smile

I am definitely trying to change doctors - it is just a huge hassle with the medical insurance I have. But it will happen.

When I talked to the derm that they sent me to - he said that he would see me in a year. When I asked him about having checks every 3 months in the first 2 years, he replied that it wasn't necesarry. In fact, I tried to show him some other concerns I had and he told me they were nothing to worry about while standing about 5 ft away. lol There was a personality conflict right off and I think it affected the office visit. But I have to go where the insurance sends me... so until I file complaints and grievences (sp?), I can't do much.

timeflies · New User Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 3

A touching story, Pepper, and thanks for sharing.
I'm a little concerned about you doctor and his lack of respect for you. He should be telling you what he wants with your life; you should be telling him. After all, it is your life, not his.
What i would do in your situation is, I would insist to that doctor that i want a specialists opinion. If he aint going to refer me to a specialist then i would go to someone who will.
And when it comes to things like this, the money doesn't matter. Heck, i would give all my worldly possesions to walk just one more day on this great big ball.

Hope you find joy, Pepper.

Rob.

My story: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8202

lindenbridge612 · New User Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

This is a link to My Melanoma Story: http://cancerforums.net/about8507.html

After reading about your experience, I would love to hear your advice on my story.
_________________
~Linden

chas036 · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:10 am Post subject: Re: My Melanoma Story

Hi Pepper,,,,I have a stupid question, Did the doc ever tell you how you got a melanoma on the bottom of your foot if it is never exposed to the sun? I alwasy thought skin cancer was directky cuased by sun exposure.
_________________
Biospy 4/2007 - 2/12 <%5 Cancer Gleason 6
RP 9/25/2007 Uni Rochester, NY
Gleason 6, Negative Margins

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Melanoma and Skin Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others