14yrs ago

gemjar · New User Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

my husband underwent surgery for invasive melanoma. i can't remember a lot of details of that time, as we lost our first baby just days before his surgery. i can however tell you that his melanoma started from the removal of a mole on his upper/mid back. the melanoma had spread into some lymph nodes and his small pectoral muscle on his right side. he was put on an immunotherapthy program (don't know the name) and had the regular checks for 5yrs, at which point became annual physical exams.

he has been blessed with good health for the past 14yrs (he is 43 now) and dare i say we both had become complacent, thinking this well behind us. done with !!!

well 6mths ago his dr found a small lump under his left arm (opposite side) and did some routine blood tests ect..... all was well. he asked my husband to come back again for a follow up 3wks later. he didn't go back until 4wks ago and it seems the lymph node has become larger. he will be travelling quite a distance (we live in australia) back to his origional surgeon in 2 days for ultrasound and fine needle biopsy.

i have a strong faith in Our Lord Jesus and have been at peace with all of this until the last week.now my stomach is in knots and i'm not sure what to expect. if this is a secondary, then will it be just remove the lymph nodes or can we expect another surgery like before, or in all honesty does this generally mean that there's a real possibility of spread into organs ?

i want to be realistic about this, even though i am hoping for the best !

any friendly advice would be welcome.......and it's okay to real, it's how i deal with it !

Blessings,
Karen

gemjar · New User Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

hello.........i have just put my husband on a plane for his appointment tomorrow. i will have to try and wait patiently until i hear from him regarding the outcome of the tests. my stomach is churning, it is so hard to keep a brave face in front of the children. how do you manage that and how much do i tell them ?
would like to hear from someone who's been there, done that !

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

I really wish your husband the best.

We've been honest with my children.

Of course, they were more like young adults when I was diagnosed.

Kids are smart these days. I'd be honest with them relative to there maturity level.

My family is what keeps me going sometimes.

I'm sure your support is making a difference.

Tony
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