u/Earth_Inferno

Seriously, did whoever designed and built this consider what it would be like to actually live there? And this goes for the majority of townhomes built here in the last 10 to 20 years, particularly the smaller 3 story 1200sf and under ones with the kitchen and living room crammed together, often without closet space. At least this listing doesn't try and pretend there's a living room, they just refer to it as an "eat in kitchen" in the floor plans. The spiral staircase makes me dizzy just looking at it though.

This is one of the worst, but I've seen so many cramped townhomes like this with 250 to 400 sf per floor that it really pisses me off. So many going up all the time and a wasted opportunity to create new homes that might actually be worth buying and living in long term. Not at all surprising this one is an Airbnb, even it's value as short term housing is questionable.

I'm finding lots of helpful info here, I appreciate you all sharing your experiences with what is certainly a terrible disease. My FIL has a consultation with a doctor regarding his recent biopsy results, and I looked them up, they aren't a surgical oncologist, but just a general surgeon. From what I've read that sounds like a red flag, but wondering what others experiences with that here are. Of course I may be jumping the gun in assuming that's who he's been referred to for the removal, but I don't see why he'd consult with one surgeon only to see another for that. I'm helping with a list of questions for this.

All he's had done so far is the biopsy, which came back as invasive melanoma, depth beyond what the biopsy sampled, so there's a lot unknown and more tests are in order. Which is why I'd think he should see an oncologist. His results:

Left Mid-upper Back, Biopsy by Punch Method
MALIGNANT MELANOMA WITH THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:

1.HISTOLOGIC SUBTYPE: SUPERFICIAL SPREADING.

2.APPROXIMATE BRESLOW THICKNESS: AT LEAST 0.9 MM, SEE COMMENT.

3.CLARK'S LEVEL: AT LEAST IV, SEE COMMENT

4.ULCERATION: NOT IDENTIFIED.

5.MITOTIC RATE: <1/MM2.

6.LYMPHOCAPILLARY INVASION: NOT IDENTIFIED.

7.SATELLITOSIS: NOT IDENTIFIED.

8.PERINEURAL INVASION: NOT IDENTIFIED.

9.LYMPHOCYTIC INFILTRATE: NON-BRISK.

10.REGRESSION: NOT IDENTIFIED.

11.MARGINS: PERIPHERAL MARGINS INVOLVED BY MELANOMA IN SITU AND INVASIVE

MELANOMA, DEEP MARGIN INVOLVED BY INVASIVE MELANOMA.

12.MELANOMA IN SITU: PRESENT.

13.STAGE (PER AJCC 8TH EDITION): AT LEAST PT1B, SEE COMMENT.

COMMENT: Due to the deep margin involvement, the above parameters represent minimum estimates. Re-excision with appropriate clinical margins is required.

Hey homies - My FIL had a suspicious mode biopsied, and the derm said the results it's invasive melanoma, and that it had "gone beyond the biopsy and required surgery" (his words). And that he could expect chemo and maybe radiation. But, they didn't tell him what stage, and currently waiting for a referral. Is it strange for them not to provide that? I understand further testing can change the stage, but wouldn't the biopsy provide at least an original diagnosis? I wonder if they weren't clear about it, or if they just aren't very good at their job. Of course my FIL is scared and assuming the worst, especially since they brought up chemo and radiation, without mentioning immunotherapy, which I believe might suggest something more serious.

Is it normal for a biopsy not to result in an initial stage diagnosis?

UPDATE: Thanks for the input everyone! We got the pathology report, and basically they can't say because the thickness is beyond what was taken during the biopsy (1b). I assume at this point to get a real grading he'll need to have it removed and get a scan or such to really know what the prognosis is. Here's the results:

Left Mid-upper Back, Biopsy by Punch Method
MALIGNANT MELANOMA WITH THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:

1.HISTOLOGIC SUBTYPE: SUPERFICIAL SPREADING.

2.APPROXIMATE BRESLOW THICKNESS: AT LEAST 0.9 MM, SEE COMMENT.

3.CLARK'S LEVEL: AT LEAST IV, SEE COMMENT

4.ULCERATION: NOT IDENTIFIED.

5.MITOTIC RATE: <1/MM2.

6.LYMPHOCAPILLARY INVASION: NOT IDENTIFIED.

7.SATELLITOSIS: NOT IDENTIFIED.

8.PERINEURAL INVASION: NOT IDENTIFIED.

9.LYMPHOCYTIC INFILTRATE: NON-BRISK.

10.REGRESSION: NOT IDENTIFIED.

11.MARGINS: PERIPHERAL MARGINS INVOLVED BY MELANOMA IN SITU AND INVASIVE

MELANOMA, DEEP MARGIN INVOLVED BY INVASIVE MELANOMA.

12.MELANOMA IN SITU: PRESENT.

13.STAGE (PER AJCC 8TH EDITION): AT LEAST PT1B, SEE COMMENT.

COMMENT: Due to the deep margin involvement, the above parameters represent minimum estimates. Re-excision with appropriate clinical margins is required.

I'm curious, for potential herniated or bulged disk issues that only flare up occasionally, will an MRI show anything if not currently experiencing symptoms? I'm going to see a dr tomorrow for a current flare up, but guessing if they prescribe an MRI it will be weeks out, and wondering if it's worth it then.

I've experienced a handful of painful lower back episodes over the last 3 years or so, and currently having my first in almost 2 years. These come on suddenly with nearly paralyzing pain, and usually resolves in a week or so with stretches (mostly sphinx and hanging), walking and just being really careful not to exacerbate it. There's usually a day or 2 of sciatica in my left leg, though not currently. Today I started out fine, then sudden pain when standing from my desk. Haven't lifted anything heavy or engaged in any activity that might have caused it.

I assume it's a disk issue, and that I'm able to "heal" quickly and not deal with any pain for months makes me think it's more likely to be a bulging disk and not totally herniated. Though I have been careful in general, I stopped lifting weights and running (2 times happened after I'd been running), and try to focus on lifting with my legs when I have to. At the same time, I would really like to confirm what this is since that will help me know how to proceed, I really don't want to live my life in fear of one wrong move sending me collapsing to the ground in pain. I've been really fortunate this hasn't happened at a bad time, like on a trip or out in public.