New To All This

[regwash]

Hi all! I’ve spent a bit reading through the posts on here and now wanted to introduce myself. I’ve already posted on the main MRF forum and received some encouragement there but wanted to maybe meet some others closer to my age.

I’m Regina, 30 years old with a husband and 2 daughters, ages 6 years and 3 months. Within the last month, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, superficial spreading, Breslow thickness 0.92, mitosis less than 1, Clark’s 2.

I have my wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy on Monday morning. I think I’m not so nervous about the actual surgery, just scared about going under general anesthesia and pretty much terrified that this has spread to my lymph nodes or further.

Anyway. Thanks for reading and so glad at the possibility of getting some support here! - R ❤️

[Ryan2]

Hi Regina, I was late to read your post. I do hope your surgery went well! General anesthesia is almost a normality for me, not a reason for young people like us to be scared of! Please do update us with the results. I wish you and your family well 😊.

[regwash in reply to Ryan2]

Thank you for the encouragement! Had my WLE and SLNB this past Monday. Feeling sore and moving slow. They said I should have the results at my post-op appt next Monday.

[VivaciousMo]

Hi Regina, thanks for sharing and welcome! You have found the right crowd of young people here I'm 27 and have been through a couple surgeries and waiting on results so I know how nerve wrecking it can be. Sorry you are going through it!! But as best you can, try to focus on one day at a time and on what you know to be true at the moment. Try to stop your mind before it travels down the road of "what if... what if.." or try to reverse negative thoughts by thinking "What if... followed by a GREAT outcome or positive thing you want." Though I know worrying serves no real purpose, it has been my great battle of the last couple years trying to find productive ways to lessen worry.

I hope your surgery went smoothly and that you can heal quickly! Take time to try to connect with a melanoma specialist to develop a plan you feel good about for moving forward from this. It's scary and having the right support (oncologists, counselors, other health practitioners, and of course us here in this group can make the difference!)

Moriah

[regwash in reply to VivaciousMo]

Thank you for the encouragement! I had my WLE and SLNB this past Monday. So feeling sore and moving slow.

[Curecancer]

Praying the lymph nodes are clear. Best wishes on this journey.

[regwash in reply to Curecancer]

Thank you so much for the prayers!

[regwash]

Just an update after the WLE and SLNB on Monday - surgeon just called with the pathology results. The WLE was able to produce clear margins and the SLNB produced negative results for melanoma in the lymph node they took. Thanks for the encouraging thoughts and prayers everyone!

[Ryan2 in reply to regwash]

That is wonderful, I am happy for you and your family!

[Curecancer]

Waiting is always hard for me. It is super stressful and having little kids makes it even more so. Praying you get good news. My daughter was 18 months when I was diagnosed. Worrying about not being around to see her grow up was harder on me than the surgery. You are not alone.