Any one here been diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma?

[seanR]

I was the other day. I was always told that if you had this to dig a hole and stand in it so they wouldn't have to carry you. But I guess things have improved in the last 5 or 10 years.

I hear that 1 in 10 people are diagnosed with a form of skin cancer once in their life. That means 50 or so of you have.

Any encouraging words? I kind of need them right now.

[Matt S.]

I am sure i could search, but you only have scin cancer? or some rare deadly thing? Pardon my stupidity. If its skin cancer. HA, you'll be fine! A little thing called a scalpal can fix that in a jif.

matt

[seanR]

I am sure i could search, but you only have scin cancer? or some rare deadly thing? Pardon my stupidity. If its skin cancer. HA, you'll be fine! A little thing called a scalpal can fix that in a jif.

matt


That is what I used to think. But if left to grow, the cancer gets into your lymph nodes then it spreads like wild fire.

Well guess what...

[Matt S.]

Well guess what...



Well sean.. I am sorry for the bad news. I am sure that with the new technology that it is something that can be repaired. Just need to let it work. Depending upon the seriousness, maybe it could help you get close to family/friends you have lost contact with? Something like this can make you better as a person. I am sure you know all this. But you will pull through this! You at least got to roll with the eastern boys out to the west one time right?

Matt

[YELLAHEEP]

Sean,

Hang in there buddy! You gotta stay positive.

My mom has had this diagnosis 3 times - once on her back, once on her forearm and once on her neck. Some skin removal and some Laser treatments and she's bounced right back.

Are they gonna have you come in for further testing regarding your Lymph Nodes? You didn't actually say what the extent of it is.

Keeping you in my thoughts....

Troy

[seanR]

Next comes a sentinal node biopsy and removal of more tissue from the tumor area. That gets done on the 15th.

I will still be at the BBQ on the 17th tho.

[Majo]

keep positive, I'll say a prayer for ya

[Fergie]

We're prayin for ya too.

Dont worry 'bout it. My mother, father, grandmother, both grandfathers and a few friends have all had this. They caught it early, and had it removed, and have had no more problems.

Just make sure you keep an eye on it, and any other marks.

You'll be fine.

Fergie

[RichP]

My father died from it in 87. If you are married you and your wife should know each others bodies and should check each other at least monthly. My prayers are with you and with the improvments in the last 20 years you have a good chance, alot better than my dad had. Never give up...

[Gil BullyKatz]

Sean....Sorry to hear about it...
I'm not good at encouragement, but I can say that we're
ALL dying...just a question of when and where.
As far as the malinoma is concerned, we do those at work ALL the time (on animals). If the advances in Veterinary Oncology, Chemotherapy and Radiation are any indication of the level of technology and non-reoccurence in humans, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at modern treatments.

I was just in the hospital for a pretty big scare myself...I'll tell ya bout it at the BBQ

Gil

[Rev Den]

Sean....you will always think about the worst first..its human nature. Don't fret over this, it will prbly turn out to be no biggie.

Rev

Praying for you...but you knew that.

[MaXJohnson]

The "C" word is enough to knock anyone back on their heels. I truly wish you the best of luck.

If I were in your shoes, I'd get hold of some of Lance Armstongs books; "Every Second Counts", "It's Not About the Bike" and others. I haven't read these, but Lance's story is truly inspirational and shows what can be accomplished with a strong, forward thinking attitude.

[LBEXJ]

Prayers from our home too SeanR ... hang tough.

Les

[ILLXJ]

Prayers from the southern part of the state. JIM.

[GSequoia]

Good luck Sean, you'll be fine. My grandfather has had a bit of that since he was in his early sixties, just has them "burned" off with liquid nitrogen. Oh, he's 84 now :)

I expect to see you in Moab, I'll give you a beer. :D

[SeanP]

sending some good thoughts your direction, Sean. Learn as much as you can, you need to be the one to manage your case. Ask questions, challenges decisions made about YOU. Keep a positive attitude. Live each day like a MOFO.

SeanP

[IntrepidXJ]

Wow Sean......sorry to hear this. I really hope everything works out for you. In the mean time, don't worry too much about it. We'll have a good time at the BBQ :yelclap: :cheers:

[Grant]

Sean
So sorry to hear this. It sounds like you have caught this in a very early stage which is the best defense possible. I have had a number of these removed over the years, and a few have come back positive but fortunately the doctors have removed all the malignant growth. Early detection remains key.

But get treatment now, and remain on the alert. Left untreated this can be fatal. I lost my best friend to this terrible disease two years ago. His death, at 36, really changed my outlook a lot, live life to it's fullest every day. In South Africa skin cancer is in the top five of diseases that end in death.

My thoughts are with you,

Grant

[old_man]

Sean, hang in there. I will put you on a couple of our prayer lists. My brother had it 35 years ago and had it burned off. He's still kicking. I personally had colon cancer and beat it 15 years ago. I kind of know how you feel. If there is anything I or the NAXJA crew can do to help, please ask. Remember you are not in this alone.

[burnsie]

Sean,

I'm sorry to hear of this. About seven years ago I was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer that 1 to 5 people in a million get (lucky me :roll: ).
The funny thing about it is that it was not on the surface of the skin but under it, a growth about the size of half dollar and about 3/4" thick on my right bicep. I had to have a procedure that is called Mose(sp) surgery, basically they cut a sample test it, cut another sample test it and so on until they get a clean slide then they cut one more and send it out for more testing. When it all started I met with the Doctor who did the surgery and he told me that if they did not do the operation that I had a 30% to 50% chance of survival verses a 96% chance of full recovery if they did it. I think his exact words were "if it gets in to your heart or lungs God him/herself(PC) can't save you". The Doctors that specialize in this area can tell you what to expect and when to panic. However as others have said don't be affraid to ask questions and make them give you answers that make sense not "Doctor speak" I'm sure right about now you are having a lot feelings that you would rather not. The best thing you can do is to try and stay calm but feel everything the way you need to. I found out fast that trying to deny how you feel about it just makes it worse. Don't loose faith, family and friends can be a great source relief, but whatever you do DON'T STOP LIVING!! I've seen many people who give up, don't do it!! Suzie and I will keep you in our prayers. God bless and keep us posted

[Urban Redneck]

SeanR, you are in our prayers. If you need a second opinion or need a good Doc, let me know. I had a thing called ITP. It is a long word that basically means they don't know what the hell it is. My spleen started killing my red blood cells so I wouldn't clot. They sent me to the hospital and I was on the oncology floor. Thought I had "C". My Doc treats blood things and the other, she is awesome. When I went in, they didn't think I was going to make it out, my red count was so low. She is really straight forward and doesn't pull any crap. We are with you and if you need anything, ANYTHING, let us know!

[Scott Mac.]

I'm sorry to hear the news Sean, the Lord only dishes out what you can handle. Stay strong and you will prosper. I'll be praying for you.

[seanR]

WOW! Thanks guys for all the encourgement. It has made all of us feel much better!

I am going up to UW hosp. tomorrow for some CT scans and other nifty things. They say UW hosp is the best place in the midwest for Cancer treatments. The surgery is Thursday the 15 of April, only a one night stay if all goes well.

I will see all of you midwest guys at the BBQ on Sat! :cheers:

[w_howey]

Damn! That stinks. Our prayers are with you and your family.

If you need anything don't hesitate to call Jenni and I.

[Backdraft]

Sean, you and your family are in our prayers down here. I cant really say anything that hasnt been said already, as most have said things I truly belive in. Trust their words of inspiration and with faith all will be fine. Wish I was close enough for yalls BBQ to fellowship with ya.


Mike

[seanR]

Just got back from Madison, they say that I have a 95% chance of being cured. I will have to go through some chemo. this summer. Surgery is set for the 15th of April.

[bgcntry72]

Good news, brother.
All the best from my family to yours.
You are in our thoughts.
That is all.
Hasta.
:spin1:

[jtszymano]

How was it diagnosed? Did you notice it or did your doc/wife/other?? These things can look pretty inconspicuous sometimes...glad you caught it early! Jeremy

[Yucca-Man]

Good luck to you, Sean. Sounds like you caught it early enough.

[Urban Redneck]

Great news, Sean. Thanks for keeping us up dated. You and your family are in our prayers.

[Fore Wheeler]

Hell Sean, 95%?!? that's better odds than making it through rush hour traffic!!!!

Keep positive, Ang and I will be thinking/praying for you and your family.

Dan

[w_howey]

That's good news.

Glad to hear it.

Jeep on!

[Mike in NJ]

Sean:

Glad you caught this early and the prognosis is positive. Very good that you haven't just ignored it like some unfortunate friends of mine. Pulling for you out on this coast and look forward to riding with you again soon.

Mike in NJ :patriot:

[burnsie]

Sean,

Glad to hear the prognosis is good!!! Suzie and I will keep you in our prayers and hope for a speedy recovery!!

[IntrepidXJ]

good luck sean! see you at the BBQ

[Spudboy]

My dad was diagnosed about two months ago. His regular doctor looked at a mole on his chest five years ago and told him not to worry about it. Then earlier this year he told him not to worry about it again. Dad said it just didn't look right to him so he went to a dermatologist. They cut the surface out right away and it came back malignant. By the time they went in for the second surgery, it appeared to have gone to one lymph node so they took that out too. He has a clean bill of health now and didn't need the chemo. I just hate to think where he'd be if he had listened to that first doctor.

Wish you all the best - sounds like you caught it early.

Spudboy

[Lincoln]

Wish you the best Sean. If things start looking down think of the den, then you will remember things can get much worse. :)

Keep your chin up and the bird finger high, I'm sure you'll be okay.

Lincoln

[gr8tires]

SeanR,
I'll also say a few prayers to ol St. Camillus for you, and all of us who have had this scare. I agree with others about the L. Armstrong books, and keeping positive thoughts.
Slainte' (with a name spelled like that, you're Irish, and will know what that means)

Tom

[grasseater]

With ya Sean, see you Saturday.

[jml1911a1]

This might sound too forward, but I would advise you against doing chemo, if it comes to that.

:smsoap: I feel pretty strongly about this...My mother had a couple of tumors in her colon (I know, not the same thing), and after the surgery to remove the larger tumors (she still had numerous "spots" that were too small to remove) the doctors tried to talk her into chemo. After lots of research into the effects of chemo (slow death from within, hoping that your "good" cells will grow back and the "bad" cells won't), she loaded up on vitamins, fruits and veggies. No red meat, etc. (There's a method to the diet, but I don't know exactly what it is.) When she went back for a CAT scan (or MRI, I can't remember), all the "spots" were totally gone. And she was HEALTHIER than before the surgery, not wasted away and hair falling out in clumps. I've seen people go through chemo, and I don't think you ever really recover.

I do wish you the best of luck in all this, and I'll be praying for you.

I just felt I had to mention it. Good luck!

[jeeplas]

The chemo that they do for Melanoma is not the same as for other cancers. It does not react to standard chemo treatments. That is why up until the last 5 years if you had it your servival rate was not good. It can give you flu like symptoms and cause you to loose weight. Radiation is what makes your hair fall out.

Thanks for your input. I agree with you on the chemo.

I will post on Friday and let everyone know how he is doing.

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers.