Newly diagnosed stage one

[Sarah2508]

Hi, my name is Sarah I'm a 27 year old from Minnesota. I was diagnosed with stage one melanoma on my lower leg. I had Mohs surgery and the repair yesterday. They also removed another mole from my back that was suspicious and sent it for biopsy, still waiting for results.

I'm still trying to grasp all of this. Melanoma seems so dangerous and scary. I feel like this isn't over and is something I will have in my mind for the rest of my life.. recurrence rates, sun exposure, skin checks, etc. Also kind of struggling with the healing process and the scar that will be on my leg. I've shown pictures of the sutures to family/friends and they are shocked at how grotesque and large the incision is.

I'm glad to have found this group support. I welcome any advise or shared stories. Just looking for ways to process through this. Thanks!!

[Robynfine]

Hi Sarah,

I am also from Minnesota. I was diagnosed originally in 2009 and it was a small mole on my right shoulder. If you need any help or advice in Minnesota please let me know. I am now stage 4 and I have a great group of dermatologist, oncologist, and support system. I actually have some Melahomie friends in Minnesota too. We do get together on occasion and I know we would love to meet you. So let me know if you need anything.

Robyn

[Sarah2508 in reply to Robynfine]

Thanks Robyn, I appreciate that! I would love to meet some of you guys.

You said you are now stage four. What stage was it initially? And how did you know it had spread, did you have any warning signs or symptoms?

[Robynfine in reply to Sarah2508]

I was originally stage 1 in 2009. In 2012 I found a small lump in my breast and when I went to have it looked at that's when I was diagnosed with stage 4. Melanoma is a sneaky bastard. The good thing is, that treatment has come along

ways and so many people are living because it!

[SaltyBae]

Hi Sarah!

So you had your surgery on your lower leg? Where was it and what was the procedure for that? Mine was on my shin so I’m not sure how mine may have differed from yours!

[Sarah2508 in reply to SaltyBae]

It's on the middle of my lower leg like the outside of my calf. The procedure they did was called Mohs surgery to remove any remaining cancer cells. Then they did dissolvable sutures to close it up.

[SaltyBae in reply to Sarah2508]

Ouch! The lower leg can be such a nightmare because you can feel the tension on your skin when you walk or even move your foot! I hope it’s healing up and the pain is subsiding 😊

[cbroder77]

Hi Sarah I was also diagnosed recently and just had my wide incision on my lower leg this past week. Melanoma is so scary. I feel like I will forever be worried.

[Sarah2508 in reply to cbroder77]

Glad to know I'm not the only one feeling like this. Did they stitch up your incision? Mine has been quite painful with walking and especially at night. My dermatologist mentioned stitches can often rip open when on the leg so I've been trying to be extra careful

[cbroder77 in reply to Sarah2508]

I had my surgery Monday sept 25. Surgeon did use stitches. He did a great job closing it. Mine is on the front of my lower leg next to my shin. Very tight area. The pain has been subsiding but skin is so tight which is uncomfortable.i went back to work today. Was a bit swollen by my ankle but pain wasn't too bad. I have post op Tuesday so hopefully stitches will be removed.

[SaltyBae in reply to cbroder77]

How long of an incision/how deep did they go for the margin on yours? Since it was so close to your shin. I had one on my shin and they had to go all the way in almost to the bone.

[cbroder77 in reply to SaltyBae]

Mine was in situ. My incision is about 2 1/2" long. It looks like a bite mark.

[cbroder77 in reply to cbroder77]

Mine was on the left side of my shin. Not directly on it

[Kevin22]

Sarah,

Thank you for sharing, I don't have any advise, however I am in a similar boat - I too am 27 and from the Midwest (Illinois) and was diagnosed last month in September with stage 2 Melanoma. I just underwent a lymph node biopsy and wide excision at the beginning of this month. Sitting here for the past few days has made me feel a similar way as to what you are describing and I have been having a tough time grasping all of this. I ended up with a much larger cut across my chest than I was anticipating for the excision. On top of that, my younger brother just had to have a mole removed the other day and we are playing the waiting game with him. I appreciate you and everyone else on this group for the stories as they have helped a great deal the last few weeks.

Best of luck.

[MeghanB]

Hi! I was 29 when I was diagnosed last year (Stage 2B) and it was definitely a huge wake up call. I was in disbelief for quite awhile and it still hits me again sometimes. It took quite awhile to get over being scared and really took the full year after being cancer free for me to sort of not be worried about each follow up appointment...but it gets better! At least when you catch it early you can be more aware of your skin and take steps to help prevent reoccurrence (or at least feel like you are being productive in trying to stay healthy, lol!).

My melanoma was also on my lower leg, on the back of my calf. It was definitely hard to hear that the area they needed to remove was so big they wouldn't be able to stitch it up. I had the choice of either leaving it open to eventually heal (sort of) on its own or getting a skin graft to cover the area (more painful, but I chose having skin). I like to call it my shark bite...lol. Its a reminder everyday to not take life for granted and enjoy the little things. Also, I'm due with my first baby in a bit over a month!! That especially has put things into perspective for me. Now I worry about always being there for my little girl and whether or not the next biopsy will be more serious.