Helpful doctor and all clear from Melanoma plus possible relationships between various autoimmune diseases

[Rimmy]

Hi Everyone

Just a quick follow up to my recent removal of a malignant Melanoma. I mentioned recently a plastic surgeon I was referred to here in a small regional city in Western Australia completely refused to do the wider area excision required to be sure of no spread of satellite cells unless I promptly reduced from 8.5mg pred to 5.0mg. He argued it was necessary for effective healing which he said would be inhibited by corticosteroids. So with no real 'choice' as knowing that was impossible for me (especially in a reprise of PMR/GCA lately) I went back to the referring doctor who then kindly offered to do the surgery himself without me having to do the Pred reduction at all. This helpful doctor also suggested he could do this without having a skin graft the plastic surgeon told me was necessary (which to be taken from my insole).

Well 3 weeks later and after 12 stitches which ended on the side of my foot near my little toe and I am about 75% healed and grateful I found such a helpful doctor. Great news also there was no sign of any spread beyond the wider margins taken - so a lower risk now that the Melanoma will ultimately do me in !!

I have recently also become more interested in the interrelationships between various autoimmune diseases. Apparently Melanoma has also been associated with autoimmune diseases:

qimrberghofer.edu.au/media-...

Also looking for a friend with Rheumatoid Arthritis I see that Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis are more common in people with RA. It also appears there may be a relationship between IBD generally and PMR/GCA - although more research to be done.

I also recently discovered my eldest son aged 49 has another autoimmune disease called Haemochromatosis caused by having excessive iron in the blood. This is derived from having both parents each carrying the significant to genes - (with one gene only neither his father or I have this disease we were just 'carriers').

So lots to learn but these associations and relationships are being slowly revealed with ongoing genetic research.

Best wishes

Rimmy

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I think its a well known fact that autoimmune diseases like company.. there are many members on her that have more than one.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Good news - and the thought of a skin graft from my instep just makes me cringe!!

All the best ongoing!!

[Rimmy in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks - yes now I have been dealing with many stitches on top of my foot and hobbling around like an 'old lady' (ha ha !!) I can't even imagine what they would have been like underneath it and in such a sensitive spot - so ironically now extra pleased he 'refused' me !! Hope you are well too !

[Blearyeyed]

Great news , flipping surgeons

[SheffieldJane]

I am so glad that you had a real healing doctor. This is great news and a helpful prompt to me, I have developed relatively recent moles and I need to get a dermatologist’s opinion. We come to Australia in January ( NSW) where my son in law has a skin cancer clinic, I have had too many freebies from him though, I am embarrassed to ask for more. Your news and lovely doctor must have been a massive relief Rimmy. Xx

[Rimmy in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks SJ - I must admit since getting this I have become a wee bit of an evangelist for people to be checked regularly. I think Australians and kiwis (I am from NZ originally) spend more time in sun than people in northern climes BUT there are other factors - apparently also our genetic susceptibility ... Very helpful to have 'family' access to checks etc - make the most of it !! And yes many thanks - it is a big relief when I actually had that spot for quite a while !!! Take care

Rimmy X

[Louisa1840 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Jane, I would not feel at all embarrassed about asking help from your son-in-law - that's what family is for. BUT are you sure the moles should wait till January?