More cancer.
Another diagnosis... crikey, back again. Looking for someone to tell me I'm not loosing my marbles please, lol. This online forum provides me with so much strength, I feel guilty that I can't offer m...
Forum Discussion
Hi @Chevvy, wow what shit it all is and you are not loosing your marbles at all. It's very stressful indeed. I have had 3 melanoma over the last 20 yrs and then breast cancer. I am 59.
My first melanoma was diagnosed when I was 38. I have a massive scar on my shoulder. It was stage one so no other treatment. I have been seen by a dermatologist since I was 30 as I have lots of moles and both my parents had melanoma.
Then at 39 another melanoma on my back. A similar big scar and again stage 1. I see the dermatologist every 6 months except if melanoma then every 3 months for a yr and the back to 6 months
At 40 I nearly died from a superbug that cut off my airway and I developed septicaemia. I ended up in intensive care for 5 weeks and had a tracheotomy for that time. It took me a year to get over it.
I thought well that would be it. At 49 I got another melanoma which was stage 2 regressive melanoma on my back. Another massive scar but all gone and no other treatment. Then at 58 I got breast cancer.
There is a link between breast cancer and melanoma. I did gene testing and luckily I don't have BRCA 2 gene which links these cancers. So I guess I am just one of those people....
I have noticed at each cancer diagnosis I have had very big stresses in the preceding 12 to 18 months and the other thing I noticed is that my vitamin D levels have been extremely low prior to diagnosis.
My oncologist put me on Vitamin D at 4000 units initially on the bc diagnosis and now I take 2000 units per day.
Each time I see the dermatologist I feel lucky if I get out of there without a biopsy. I have had over 30 biopsies for moles that have been dodgy. At least half of the moles they have done biopsies on have been abnormal cells so it's great they are out.
It is hard to deal with all this stuff. My BC was early and diagnosed in April 2020 but it was aggressive cells, grade 3 but stage 1. No lymph. I have 2 surgeries for the BC, 4 months chemo and 1 month radium and now take tamoxifen. It's exhausting really.
It all plays on my mind sometimes. I am ok. I take everything one day at a time and one appointment at a time. I walk nearly every day and try to be mindful, living in the moment. I find joy in simple pleasures. I don't work any more. It just all got too much for me for many reasons. But I am ok.
You will get through this. Ask about immunotherapy as there is good work going on with it and melanoma. Get those constant skin checks which I am sure you will. Be kind to yourself and put yourself first. Sounds like you give alot to others, especially with your job. Now its time for you. Maybe a bit of counselling can help. I did get some. Didn't need too many sessions but it helped.
Take care. Sending you a virtual hug.š»
My first melanoma was diagnosed when I was 38. I have a massive scar on my shoulder. It was stage one so no other treatment. I have been seen by a dermatologist since I was 30 as I have lots of moles and both my parents had melanoma.
Then at 39 another melanoma on my back. A similar big scar and again stage 1. I see the dermatologist every 6 months except if melanoma then every 3 months for a yr and the back to 6 months
At 40 I nearly died from a superbug that cut off my airway and I developed septicaemia. I ended up in intensive care for 5 weeks and had a tracheotomy for that time. It took me a year to get over it.
I thought well that would be it. At 49 I got another melanoma which was stage 2 regressive melanoma on my back. Another massive scar but all gone and no other treatment. Then at 58 I got breast cancer.
There is a link between breast cancer and melanoma. I did gene testing and luckily I don't have BRCA 2 gene which links these cancers. So I guess I am just one of those people....
I have noticed at each cancer diagnosis I have had very big stresses in the preceding 12 to 18 months and the other thing I noticed is that my vitamin D levels have been extremely low prior to diagnosis.
My oncologist put me on Vitamin D at 4000 units initially on the bc diagnosis and now I take 2000 units per day.
Each time I see the dermatologist I feel lucky if I get out of there without a biopsy. I have had over 30 biopsies for moles that have been dodgy. At least half of the moles they have done biopsies on have been abnormal cells so it's great they are out.
It is hard to deal with all this stuff. My BC was early and diagnosed in April 2020 but it was aggressive cells, grade 3 but stage 1. No lymph. I have 2 surgeries for the BC, 4 months chemo and 1 month radium and now take tamoxifen. It's exhausting really.
It all plays on my mind sometimes. I am ok. I take everything one day at a time and one appointment at a time. I walk nearly every day and try to be mindful, living in the moment. I find joy in simple pleasures. I don't work any more. It just all got too much for me for many reasons. But I am ok.
You will get through this. Ask about immunotherapy as there is good work going on with it and melanoma. Get those constant skin checks which I am sure you will. Be kind to yourself and put yourself first. Sounds like you give alot to others, especially with your job. Now its time for you. Maybe a bit of counselling can help. I did get some. Didn't need too many sessions but it helped.
Take care. Sending you a virtual hug.š»