New and Unsure

[Babonet]

I had a suspicious mole that had a raised black mole and light brown spreading area. I noticed it about 7 years ago, but never thought anything of it. I finally showed a doctor and he suggested I get it checked. My regular doc removed it on the 20th and his nurse called me on the 28th to tell me it is a melanoma, I have to have another surgery to get the rest of it, they do not know the stage or if it has spread, and they (the doc and general surheon he is sending me to for the deep removal) are TALKING about sending me to an oncologist. I have been doing research because cancer is a scary word, but I'm not sure if that was a good idea. It seems like my doc should def be sending me to an oncologist. I'm also a little bit taken back that the nurse called me. I did not feel comfortable asking her questions. I don't want to over react, but I'm not sure how concerned I should be. The not knowing is making me freak out a little bit!!! Any advice or opinions?

[VivaciousMo]

Welcome and sorry you are going through the anxiety and not knowing! It's very tough for sure! My recommendation (at least until you know more) is stay away from your own research. Once you know more about your exact situation, you can learn more, but there are so many factors and there's no sense in scaring yourself without knowing what your situation is. My personal recommendation would be to ask for a referral to an oncologist. An oncologist will be better able to answer your questions as well. Hopefully they can get it all with your next surgery and it hasn't spread, but they may still be able to offer you immunotherapy just to reduce risk of reoccurance.

Once you have more information, you and your doctors will have a solid plan and you can work on that. Focus on that and not on the unknown. Sending you lots of positive thoughts!!

Moriah

[Kelsey997]

Hang in there! It is definitely a scary thing and you have every right to feel that way. My first melanoma was diagnosed as stage 2. This was what looked like a harmless mole to me that I didn't think to have checked for five years. I went in for my WLE (wide length excision) to remove more from the original procedure and at the same time I also had my SLNB (setnel lymphnode biopsy) done to see if the cancer spread to my lymphnodes. Everything came back totally clear, meaning all that cancer is gone.

The beginning diagnosis is SO hard. Please don't do a ton of your own research. It can be confusing and sometimes misinforming. Trust your doctors, and ask to see a specialist. Do your best to stay positive, and know you're not alone!