• 💖 [Donate To Keep MyPTSD Online] 💖 Every contribution, no matter how small, fuels our mission and helps us continue to provide peer-to-peer services. Your generosity keeps us independent and available freely to the world. MyPTSD closes if we can't reach our annual goal.

Awaiting Test Results

Status
Not open for further replies.
Got my results in the mail...

...of course the paperwork they gave me when I left the dermatology clinic last week said they'd only send me a letter if it was cancer or pre-cancerous. It's pre-cancerous. It's called a atypical mole. And from the research I did online just a bit ago it means that I'm at a higher risk of developing melanoma, it runs in families and I have to have a life time of skin check. I knew all of this from my mom's melanoma.

They didn't say in the letter which mole it was (although I'd probably suspect it's the one from my hip). I go back on Monday afternoon for them to check the biopsy sites and I guess they'll tell me what we're going to do from here.

Not at good as I hoped for, but better than it could have been.

Thanks for all the support guys! Y'all really helped me get through a tough spot.

Lisa
 
I'm sorry it was pre-cancerous but glad that it wasn't any worse. I'm glad your taking care of yourself - screenings etc.

zoe
 
Marlene,

Ok so not as good as you would have liked, but on the flip side, not as bad as it could have been. You know that you will have to be vigilent and proactive with this. It could have been so much worse hon.

Do what you need to do, stay out of the sun, wear protection, and visit the Derm once a year. Just one more visit added to the OBGYN....yearly one already.

I'm just happy for you that it wasn't worse. Apparently you are doing a great job at keeping a watch on things already.......

Yes, it can be hereditary...My girlfriends 3 kids have to be watched also. Her oldest son who is 18 has had several moles removed and biopsied already. He will have to do this the rest of his life. He youngest has had one removed also and she is only 14.

Hugs,

Wen
 
I think that this is good news!
It's not cancer!

If you think about it, everyone alive has pre-cancer.
We are all pre-dead.
 
If you think about it, everyone alive has pre-cancer.

Hmm no not really, pre-cancerous is a diagnostic condition, and not everyone has it, lots of people of are totally cancer negative. But I know what you mean, everyone is going to die at some point.

Duh Lisa I just asked you privately about the results when I could have just come and read them here!! :wall:

Anyways, I was diagnosed pre-cancerous a while ago, and it was kind of scary, but the doctors have told me numerous times that it saved my life, because it enabled them to do frequent testing and keep an eye on me. Then when I finally was diagnosed with cancer, they caught it super early. My prognosis is infinitely better as a result. The doctors still expect me to make a full recovery. So, even if the worst happens, at least they will catch it really early. The hard part is, not worrying every time you have a test now... that I totally understand!! If you ever want to vent to me, feel free.

Anyways though, I too am glad it's not cancer. Like you said, not the result you hoped for but not the worst either. I hope you don't worry about it too much, though like I said it's hard...
 
Oh Lisa, this sounds like an awful time of waiting for you, and obviously not so brilliant that you have pre-cancer. But...as Evie pointed out... this is something that is good as it allows frequent checks, so you will always know what's going on with your skin and should the worst happen - you'll have it early.

That probably isn't that reassuring... but I wanted to send my thoughts.

Lisa
 
My thoughts are with you also Lisa.... prevention is much better than cure even if it is a stressful and anxious process.

I agree with what Evie and Lisa have both said.

Wishing you well.
 
Thanks for all the responses everyone. Most of what I've read online and in the doctor's letter I've known. And honestly it's relief just to know what's going on one way or another.

Even it one of the moles had been cancerous, they took such big biopsies (about the length and shape of a dime and about two dimes depths OR about 17mm around x 3.5mm deep approx.) of the moles and the surrounding tissues that they would have gotten it and all the tissue around it. The letter told me they had removed the entire lesion during the biopsy. Anyway...it's good to have doctors who take this stuff seriously. And living in the Sunshine State, I'm sure they would.

I wanted to say something about what 2quilt said in an earlier post. 2quilt I'm not picking on you, put I wanted to let you and everyone know something that was incorrectly stated. You said 'skin cancer can't kill you'. Melanoma (the type they were testing for and what I have a family history of), if left untreated can spread into your body and it can kill you. It is the only skin cancer to do that. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but it's so important not to blow anything as important as your health off.

Lisa
 
I sincerely apologize

Dear Marlene and Everyone else,
After I wrote that post I wanted so bad to delete it, and it was too late. I sincerely apologize for saying that whole post. Gosh, that was so completely thoughtless and callous of me. I am kicking myself. What an ass I am. Please forgive me for saying such a careless comment about cancer and death. If one of you editors can do so, please delete that post for me. As if it never happened. There's an example of foot in mouth before thinking! I will do my very best from now on to re-read my posts, and consider the feelings of others before hitting the submit button.

Very Sincerely,

2quilt
 
2quilt,

I too am guilty of speaking before thinking....I don't think anyone is upset with your post..You are NOT an ass....

Hugs,

Wen
 
2quilt I don't think you're an ass either, please don't put yourself down. I think it's more just a case of, most people have misconceptions about cancer in general. That doesn't mean they are bad people just they need to learn more about it, just like lots of people need to learn about PTSD.

I don't think anyone is upset with your post

Wendy, I know what you're trying to say here but you really shouldn't think for other people. I have to admit I and at least one other person did not appreciate the comments made. So to say no one was upset is not correct. Cancer is a serious illness and it shouldn't be dismissed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zoe
Lisa, I am sorry to hear that the results were pre-cancerous rather than cancer negative. As others have stated it is not the worst news, though to be honest, not the best either. I am glad you will be seeing the specialist for a follow-up to determine the staging of the mole. This is crucial, and once you have this information, you will know how to proceed. Staging in the pre-cancerous state a rather complicated process and difficult to explain here, however should anyone wish to educate themselves, try searching for "cell dysplasia" or "carcinoma in situ". Basically, some pre-cancer is so mild that the chances of it ever becoming cancer are quite slim, whereas on the opposite end of the scale, in some pre-cancers, it is simply a matter of time before they turn malignant. It is important not to jump to any conclusions one way or the other. Each cancer is highly individual, even within identical diagnoses.

In any event Lisa, do take care. As Evie mentioned, you may speak with her privately if you ever feel the need. Evie is knowledgeable regarding cancer and quite frank about it. I envision her being a cancer advocate in future! I wish to extend an invitation to speak with myself as well, as I am also a cancer survivor. Please contact me privately anytime you wish.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top