Update on my doctors visit. The news is not good.

[fightforfreedom]

I may have a rare form of melanoma on my face. I have to go to the hospital for more tests. The doctors are still trying to figure out what is going. The cyst that was removed was tested. It was a normal cyst. The bump that appeared after the cyst was removed and tested, it is saying a type if melanoma.

So now that have to compare both tests and try figure what the hell is going on. They are setting up special scans that will let them know if I have melanoma and whether it has spread tp to other parts of body. That's the key, if it hasn't spread to other parts of my body I could survive another 10 years, which would be fine. I'm 63 now, another 10 years would be a good long life.

Won't know for sure until I get the scans.

What's strange about this is, melanoma usually appears as a dark black spot. I did not have that, I had a small cyst. You never know, that's why you should never ignore things.

[shrike3]

1. So sorry. All the best.

[Traildogbob]

21. 😣😔💔💔

So sorry. I pray that you get the best possible report ahead.

[XanaDUer2]

2. Hugs

I had in situ melanoma. Positive thoughts

[cilla4progress]

3. Holding you in my heart,

FFF!

[bullwinkle428]

4. Wishing for the best possible outcome following the additional tests, and a

sincere thank-you for the motivation to compel us to get to the doctor regularly for examinations.

[electric_blue68]

5. Woah... May it be Totally Local, and you get your 10(+) yrs!

[fightforfreedom]

19. I am guessing that's my best hope.

If I were younger I would be freaking out, not now. I am now 63 and I completed my bucket list years ago. I lived life to the fullest. I knew all along that could lead to a shorter life. That was fine with me. The funny thing is, I thought I might die from a heart attack, stroke, lung cancer. I never dreamed that I might die from skin cancer. Life is funny.

[fightforfreedom]

32. Yes, it may be local, good news, but it's on my face.

That could mean major surgery on my face. I have to try and not think about that.

[cate94]

42. I've had some basal cells on my face

The scars look bad at first, but they do fade. My latest one is fairly large on my cheek. They did a skin graft after MOHs. The dermatologist called it a tadpole on my face. The tail is gone already and the body is shrinking. He said it will take a year. It’s been about 8 weeks. Don’t think about it because it isn’t nearly as scary as it sounds.

[Nac Mac Feegle]

48. Although....it's said that chicks dig scars....wait, you're....never mind :-)

Seriously; though.

I've just gotten through with a MOHS procedure "adventure" for the most part, and my sister had one a couple years ago, and it was OK after everything was over. We were both pretty scared, as we'd lost our mother to a melanoma that came back. My sisters' was next to her nose, and the surgeon was able to almost completely eliminate any scarring. Although she did look kind of bad for a while, with the bruising, but she's an Elementary teacher, so things were a bit "interesting" to the kids and co-workers.

The technology for detection and surgery has improved radically since Mom's was first discovered/treated, so there's a pretty good chance that they can get yours taken care of and give you a clean bill of health.

Still, I know it can be pretty scary, with the C-word involved. So I, and a lot of other people here, will be giving you our best wishes, positive vibes, prayers, etc...

One thing that I've become aware of is that medical technology has advanced over the last decades so that things which were a death sentence in the 70's or 80's are survivable or controllable now.

[electric_blue68]

50. I will hope for the best for you.

[ENO in 2024]

74. Stay positive minded

Listen to music you love. I hope you stay safe and get well soon. 💓

[blueinredohio]

6. I had a small lump (like a cyst) on my forehead right in the hairline

for years. It never grew a whole lot so I didn't think much about it. I was sent to a dermatologist for a weird rash (lupus) he tested it. Had a Mohs procedure and no more problems. Good luck. Sometimes its not as bad as you think.

[hlthe2b]

7. I'll be thinking of you as you await further work-up and hopefully far better news.

A lot of advancements in melanoma treatment are available now, even if confirmed. As hard as it is, please try to stay positive and not let the uncertainty take over.

I will add that though fairly rare, sometimes with less defined potentially cancerous biopsies or cytology specimens that having a second opinion or even second full work up elsewhere may be needed. This happened to a friend of mine with differing opinions from Houston Methodist and MD. Anderson. Ultimately, Sloane Kettering (NYC) gave the tie-breaking review/opinion (not sure which of the two Texas hospital pathologists' opinions they agreed with) and he went with their advice. Doing well. It happens occasionally, I'm afraid.

[Xavier Breath]

8. I see a dermatologist

for regularly scheduled full body scans since I had a squamous carcinoma removed from my face some years back. Your post is a reminder as to why I do. Good luck to you.

[MartyTheGreek]

9. You're gonna get a lot of suggestions... Mine is prevention and Don't Feed it!

And, I'm not Dr. Google, this is Science.

Dr. Seyfried, "Cancer as a Metabolic Disease."

Cancer Fasting and diet: https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2021/06/fasting-cancer

YouTube Dr. Valter Longo at USC

Cut back on Carbs and sugar and do some fasting! I just broke a 4.5 day Food Fast with electrolytes and Water only and feel great and why I want to share!

[EndlessWire]

25. You fasted from water and electrolytes?

That would kill me. Perhaps the euphoria you feel is from the imbalance you now have! JK. I would never dare to try that!

[MartyTheGreek]

31. I made an edit... Fasted From Food. I took water and Electrolytes only.

[Disaffected]

45. Be careful with the advise you give:

From the Cancer Center web site you included above:

"And little research has been done on the fasting-cancer connection in humans."

"The bottom line is that more research is required before reaching any conclusions on the impact of fasting on cancer risk and treatments."

Be particularly aware of the unreliability of anecdotal evidence.

[MartyTheGreek]

73. Oh yeah? Check my refs.

Do some research on True North a fasting clinic in CA. Fasting clinics were shut down in the 1920's during the birth of BigPharma Mafia with their patents! They thought there was nothing in vitamins because they were found in food and started labeling them A, B, C, etc.

Check the work of Valter Longo at USC using Fasting and fasting mimicking diet when done, Makes The CHEMO work better!

NEJM 2020 "Evidence is accumulating that eating in a 6-hour period and fasting for 18 hours can trigger a metabolic switch from glucose-based to ketone-based energy, with increased stress resistance, increased longevity, and a decreased incidence of diseases, including cancer and obesity."

NEJM 2019. On Fasting. First major journal to do so! The paper is behind a firewall.

In the video link above like Dr. Seyfried explains how Cancer feeds on Glucose and Sugar. So Starve the cancer! Do you need clinical studies when every study done to data shows benefits?

Fasting will always be my go to for a healthy lifestyle. Big Agra brought us 3 meals a day and snacks and look at what happened since the 1970's. Just look at HS yearbooks and how lean most everyone was, it the man-made processed carbs and sugar killing us!

Lastly, I'm not giving advice, my references have done the work. Did you wait for all the clinical data to be published before you took the vaccine? What's the difference in urgency, If you can do some preventive fasting?

[Disaffected]

75. Thanks but none of it is very convincing, including the conspiracy theory:

"Do you need clinical studies when every study done to data shows benefits?"

Yes, absolutely. Properly controlled clinical trials, peer reviewed and preferably replicated are the required standard.

"Did you wait for all the clinical data to be published before you took the vaccine?"

Of course not; "all" the clinical data may take years to accumulate (assuming you are referring to Covid-19 research). I waited until the vaccine was approved by the relevant health authorities/government and made available where I live.

"Preventive fasting" may help in loosing weight if that is your goal but additional benefits if any remain to be reliably demonstrated.

[MartyTheGreek]

79. Ok, you're a clinical person... Do you believe that the biological age tests are accurate?

I'll just give one example, just one in my fasting world Simm Land. He's 37 and his bio age is 20. Yes, this is longevity! Did you know that Fasting through the process of Autophagy eats old senescent cells? Did you know that senescent cells are at the root of many cancers?

Generates pluripotent stem cells after a three-four day fast? These are the smart stem cells that innately go to where needed.

Double your testosterone beginning in 18 hrs. HGH 18-24 hrs. And if men only knew, they would throw away their viagra. That is if they are motivated enough to do it!

Are you a Nutritionist? They don't teach this in Nutrition class nor do Doctors in Medicine, get fasting training. Do you fast a little before that blood test? How's your 1AC? Are you on Metformin? How long have you gone without eating? Digestion takes up about 70% of cellular energy, where do you think that energy goes when not eating?

I'm done with this discussion. You're too ridged with your Clinical Positions! Have a good night.

[crickets]

10. So sorry to hear this, but glad you got it looked at so quickly.

I'm hoping that the news going forward will not be as scary as it seems right now, that there is no spread, and that there are procedures to take care of any problems.

[lagomorph777]

11. Pathologists sometimes make mistakes.

Be on the lookout for that possibility.

[Peregrine Took]

20. My specialist is one of the top gastro docs in the world and a hospital pathologist

challenged his decision regarding a biopsy of mine.

I could tell he was annoyed but he had to do it again....he was right - it was benign.

I worried a lot about going in for that re-test but so glad it was ok.

[appalachiablue]

30. +2

[appalachiablue]

28. +1

[MLAA]

12. Sending you love!

[Meowmee]

13. Omg so sorry

🙏🏻 For you that the treatments will help you. My father survived prostate cancer for many years.

[jalan48]

14. I hope you get good news and recover from this. As a cancer survivor I can say it does happen.

[gademocrat7]

15. Sending you hugs of support.

[Lonestarblue]

16. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Here’s hoping that your tests show that it hasn’t spread.

[Dial H For Hero]

17. I'm so sorry. I wish you all the best.

[mzmolly]

18. My thoughts

are with you and I hope all was caught early and you have another 20 plus years to visit with us all.

[CaptainTruth]

22. Keeping you in my thoughts!!!

[spanone]

23. ...K&R...

[sprinkleeninow]

24. A prayer for you that the test result is in error.

And that 'whatever' it is be brought to naught.

[EndlessWire]

26. Keep up the fight.

At least your doctor seems to be in the fight and is persistent. I am so sorry to hear of this for you. Do whatever you need to do!

Our prayers go out to you.

[vercetti2021]

27. I'm so sorry

I hope they can get rid of it!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

29. Good luck

You will be in my prayers

[appalachiablue]

33. Wishing all the best for you!

[malaise]

34. The good news is that you got this early

Hope all goes well

[irisblue]

35. All the best hopes fightforfreedom

[NQAS]

36. Well, damn, that sucks

Sounds like it can be dealt with, so that's good.

[fightforfreedom]

37. Thanks everyone.

Don't worry, I have always had a good outlook on life and death. I believe death is part of life. It's natural. This is why I love Irish wakes.

When my grandma, full blooded Irish, died, the wake was a celebration. No one cried.

[usonian]

38. Wish you the best.

Positive vibes from here.

[louslobbs]

39. 💕big hug!

Keeping you in my thoughts and hoping for a positive outcome.

[Hortensis]

40. God. Death is a part of life. When it's time.

And these days, a lot of prognoses become obsolete and expire. Hoping for good news, followed in any case by good plans.

[LoisB]

41. Sincerely hoping for the best outcome for you. Hugs.

[mcar]

43. A friend got diagnosed with early stage melanoma

a few years ago. It was on her face. She was prescribed a cream meant to shrink the tumor before surgery. She used it for several weeks. When she went to get surgery, the tumor was completely gone! Cream had done its work.

I hope you have the same good results.

[fightforfreedom]

44. Wow, That's good news, Thanks.

[womanofthehills]

71. Similar thing happened to me

My melanoma was on my upper arm - I had a month before surgery because of covid. I put on 40% glycolic acid and just kept pealing it down. I have a few friends whose drs pealed their faces with glycolic acid for precancerous lesions. I put all kind of stuff on it like cats claw, etc. - felt I had nothing to lose. Mine was a black spot. At surgery the dr went so deep - like 3/4 an inch into my arm and could find no melanoma. Anyway, I have a good friend who has an internal melanoma. He’s had it for yrs and is doing great. Sounds like there are some new immunotherapy treatments that are very successful. My friend is on immunology treatment - it does not make him sick but a little tired.

[moonscape]

59. A friend who is considerably older,

late 80’s, was told there was nothing to be done with his aggressive melanoma. Then, they offered him a clinical trial as there was nothing to lose. It was double-blind and he got the real thing vs placebo, and they now cannot find a trace of melanoma.

As a cancer patient, I have learned that every case is different, therapies abound, and any speculation as to how long one has to live is mostly meaningless. It’s the thing we most want to know, but what docs are least able to tell us accurately so they resort to imprecise odds.

Hoping for the best possible outcome as you move through this.

[brer cat]

46. I hope it goes well for you.

[Greybnk48]

47. I hope this all goes your way.

Take care!

[skylucy]

49. Sending you good healing thoughts and vibes, fightforfreedom. Hugs to you.

[Duncanpup]

51. Hugs

[Vinca]

52. So sorry to hear it. It must be really frightening.

[ratchiweenie]

53. Oh man, this is a real bummer. Sorry to hear it. Keep us up to date on your results.

[wryter2000]

54. Wow

Sorry to hear this. Let's hope it's localized. Sending prayers.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

55. Let's hope the diagnosis confusion shakes out in your favor.

It's entirely possible that it will.

[ancianita]

56. I hope you can get a second opinion, though I don't know what that entails. Still,

if you can find your way to get the best treatment, maybe look into these? One great thing is that they have ways to help those without means.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-hospitals-for-cancer-treatment-514514

I wish you all the best, fff, with heart and hugs.

[bluescribbler]

57. Melanoma is an unpredictable beast.

I lost my wife of 24 years to the beast in November of 2009. Her oncologist said that it takes different forms in every patient. I knew of a woman whose first indication of the disease was a lesion on her vulva. She did not survive. I knew another woman whose first indication was pain in her arm, the cancer was in her bones. She survived 28 years after that. The good news is that treatment is much advanced from when it took my wife. I wish you luck, health and long life.

[sinkingfeeling]

58. Very sorry to read this. Hang in there.

[Fla Dem]

60. Wishing all good things for you.

I know this will weigh on you until you get the "good" results we are all wishing for you. But try to live each day to the fullest.

Do you have family and or friends who can be with you through this anxiety? I hope so.

Oh, and btw as I just made 74, I hope you have many more years ahead of you way past 73.

[sheshe2]

61. Going to give you a hug.

[Poiuyt]

62. Wishing you the best!

[c-rational]

63. Good vibes and stay positive.

[Richluu]

64. I've had 2 melanomas taken off my hand

Fortunately not the deeply rooted ones. Hope yours is shallow. They take 6 mm around the bad guy, so it's an ouchy.

[Quakerfriend]

65. Hugs to you, fff

Try to stay calm and in the moment.

I had cancer 23 years ago. At first the prognosis was quite dire. I did conventional therapy first, only to have it
continue to spread. Then I did an aggressive juicing regimen - Gerson Therapy (Dr. Max Gerson) & have been well ever since. Essiac was part of the therapy too.

-Please, let us know how things go.

[Collimator]

66. May you receive the best possible news.

It is my hope that you receive excellent care through all aspects of this experience. I also hope that you have the support that you need. What everyone here is trying to say is that we see you, understand our shared human hopes and fears and you are not alone.

[cayugafalls]

67. A big hug from me to you. Take it one day at a time and never give in.

While I am saddened to hear your news, I want you to know that cancer research has really advanced. Talk to someone, get good positive vibes going.

My mom was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and given 2-3 months. we refused to believe it. At 83 she got on a research program and lived 3 more years.

All I am saying is, we got you, and so does your doctor, positivity helps. My mother fought all the way home.

Sending you all my love.

[tiredtoo]

68. Hoping you have a long and wonderful life.

[GoodRaisin]

69. Wishing you the best possible outcome. nt

[Stuart G]

70. Wishing you the best.

[Behind the Aegis]

72. So sorry to hear this.

I am glad you are getting it taken care of quickly. I just lost a friend this week to melanoma. She was 53. However, I had an ex who I met up with a few years after splitting up and I noticed something on his face. He said it was always there but went to the doc anyway. Turns out it was melanoma, but it hadn't spread and was easily contained.

I wish you another 20 years, at least. After all 83 is the new 53!

Hope everything works out for the best and that you have people there, with you, to care for you.

[smirkymonkey]

76. I am so sorry to hear that F4F.

I know it must feel crushing and scary, but don't lose hope. We just went through the last 9 months of my 78 year old mother being treated for a very aggressive and almost hopeless form of lymphoma and now she is in remission and she and my dad are spending the rest of the winter down in Florida.

It's quite likely that she will have the same lifespan that she would have had without the cancer as long as she continues to take care of herself and gets monitored. I am hoping that the same will be true for you as well. Modern cancer treatment has really come a long way and you can not only live longer, but live healthier and pain free as well!

I wish you all the best!

[niyad]

77. Sending hugs and vibes for best possible outcome.

[nolabear]

78. All my best hopes and wishes.

Keep us posted.

[highplainsdem]

80. I'm so sorry. Prayers for you, and hugs...

[calimary]

81. Please keep us posted, fightforfreedom!

I'm glad you got it checked, and didn't ignore it or let it go.

At least you KNOW.


We'll be waiting to hear updates, and thinking healing thoughts toward you. Think green! That's the color of health, healing, renewal, and Spring!

[ificandream]

82. As someone who went through a bout of melanoma on my nose, I'm praying for you.

What I took away from this is to wear sunblock on my face all the time and not go out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. I wear a neck gator and a mask when I go out now to protect my neck. I get funny looks from people sometimes, but I don't care. Hope everything turns out ok.

[womanofthehills]

84. There are some studies connecting melanoma to pesticides and chemicals too

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898858/

[RobinA]

88. Just Stop

Somebody recently diagnosed with cancer, or ever diagnosed with cancer, does not need to hear people's speculation on where they may have gotten it.

[ificandream]

89. Thank you for saying that.

[AngryOldDem]

92. I echo that.

This thread is not the place.

[womanofthehills]

97. I had melanoma and I had lots of questions about how I got it

I’m just replying to the person a above that how you get it is not black & white. Big advances have been made in treating melanoma with immunotherapy in the past two yrs and I tweeted that above.

[fightforfreedom]

90. If I do have melanoma it came from too much sun.

I played and worked outside in the sun my whole life.

[womanofthehills]

100. If you do have it, new treatments are working great against it

Hopefully you don’t have it. Nature Magazine reported new treatments have a extremely high cure rate for stage 3. My melanoma was stage one which usually only requires surgery - no treatments. It’s hard waiting for lab results. Wish you the best. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-02-melanoma-breakthrough-treatment.html

[mercuryblues]

83. Fff

You got this. I know from experience that worrying does not help. Knowledge does. I wish you get the best news and soon

[hamsterjill]

85. I'm so sorry and wishing you all the best.

I’m the same age and a year ago my hairdresser noticed a growth. Had it removed and gratefully, it was benign. But the time waiting to know was very stressful, so I can only imagine what your waiting is like.

Wishing you the best - health, healing and good test results!

[halfulglas]

86. Do not lose hope. There are new treatments, especially non chemo, now.

Last edited Fri Feb 25, 2022, 12:59 PM - Edit history (1)

My sister back in the late 80's was found to have a melanoma. She had surgery. She had check ups and scans every 6 months. It would come back in other parts of her body. A few years ago she had what they thought was a blood clot in her lung. It turned out to be melanoma. She was treated with a treatment similar to what President Carter had for his cancer. Weekly infusions. It went into complete remission for a while. It returned late last year so she has resumed treatment. There are side effects, in her case diabetes, but she says the trade off is acceptable. On the other hand, she never lost her hair, etc. She's in her 80s, not bad considering.

An edit to this post. I remembered the treatment she had was infusions of immunotherapy. I was having a senior moment and could not remember the word.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

87. Learn about Keytruda

Don’t believe old stats on survival. Last several years have shown great promise and better outcomes. Good luck.

[AngryOldDem]

91. So sorry.

May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead…Wishing the best for you.

[lefthandedskyhook]

93. so sorry friend

try massive cannabis.... apparently reverses cancer... i dunno

[Trust_Reality]

94. Book recommendation

Last edited Fri Feb 25, 2022, 04:31 PM - Edit history (1)

I recommend Eat to Beat Disease by William Li, MD. There are things you can do to fight it. Even before you get the book, cut out sources of glucose. Eat more fruits and tree nuts. Avoid processed meats and grilled meats. Eat pumpkin seeds. Avoid sodas and artificial sweeteners. Eat healthy. Do not take vitamin E supplements. Think like a scientist.

[pandr32]

95. I am sorry you are going through this

My dad had a black spot that grew and was ignored. Eventually, he developed a tumor on his neck and lung and other cancer. At the time of his death he had black spots all over his skin.
I wasn't allowed near him (wicked stepmother) and had no idea this had gone on until I learned he was in the hospital and drove to Canada to see him just before he died and saw him covered with black spots of all shapes and sizes. Ignored, a melanoma can spread and metastasize--which is what happened. I learned from other family members about the growing black spot on his face and what happened after that. I was heartbroken and angry.
We need to be vigilant with changes and regular checkups.
I hope this turns out well for you. You may have caught it early enough.

[ProfessorGAC]

96. Hoping For The Best

Hang in there, fff

[dlilafae]

98. Fightforfreedom

I hope everything works out for all the best.

[peggysue2]

99. Sorry to read this

I had a run in with skin cancer two years ago, squamous and basal cell. Caught the first early but had let the basal cell growth get out of hand. Had the top of one ear removed for my delay.

Melanoma is a scary diagnosis. Hope further tests prove treatable or better yet something more benign.

Take care.

[NNadir]

101. I don't know if this helps but of my best friends was diagnosed over 25 years ago.

He emailed me recently. He's been cancer free for decades.

We wish the same for you.

[kooth]

102. Fingers Crossed ...

Hang in there. A couple of years ago my dentist discovered white spots in my mouth that looked like cancer to her. After two biopsies, it was determined that I didn't have cancer. I'm hoping that will be the case for you.

I'm pulling for you!