u/jessica_j435

I was recently diagnosed with melanoma. I’m getting surgery to remove the remaining tumor and do a lymph node biopsy next Friday. My original biopsy was 7/9 and it’s been a hell of a long and torturing month. I’m still waiting on final stage after lymph node biopsy but currently 1A. I’m younger (38) and the tumor was on my neck so it’s a bit more high risk which is why lymph node biopsy is being done.

I’ve always been an anxious person but this has sent me over the top. I spoke with my PHP last Friday and he prescribed me hydroxozine as a prn and lexapro. I tried half a pill of the hydroxizine this weekend to see how it affected me and it did nothing so I plan to try a full one when I don’t work. However, I really think I need more than just a PRN to get me through this process. My brain is constantly thinking worst case scenario and I’m worrying all the time that I will die and leave my young kids behind.

Has anyone had experience with lexapro or any other anxiety meds during their cancer treatment?

I was diagnosed from a biopsy on my neck about a little over a month ago and it’s been a hell of a month and I’m tired.

Finally was able to meet with oncologist today who recommended WLE with SNLB.

I’m 38
Breslow depth 0.4
Clark’s level III
No ulceration
Mitotic rate 1/mm

I did castle testing per recommendation of my derm that came back at 8%. Oncologist told me he doesn’t find castle testing reliable or just doesn’t like it and said based on a calculator he uses that’s from Australia the chance of lymph node spread is actually 11%. Given the area of my neck and the age he highly recommend SLNB, which I plan to do and have scheduled for next Friday.

I am terrified. I have two small children and I cannot stop thinking worst case scenarios. Every time I start feeling a bit calmer and more in control of this situation I feel like I get another slap on the face. I’m so worried I’ll feel some relief when the surgery is over, then more anxiety while I wait for the results and then I’m so scared I will have some in the lymph nodes and be moved to 3A.

I feel like I’m in constant fight or flight mode. I don’t feel safe in my body, like it’s a ticking time bomb. I HAVE to be here for my children and I’m so mad at myself. I’m seeing a therapist and also thinking about getting some anxiety medication. I feel like I’m stuck in a bad dream.

How do you deal with this and not lose your mind or hope?

I’m finally have a consultation with the doctor who will do my surgery on Wednesday after a bit over a month from my initial biopsy. Initially my derm recommend mohs surgery due to it being on my neck. The case manager at the cancer center I was referred to said the doctor who reviewed my case sent it over to oncology which would be a traditional WLE but didn’t know why. She said “maybe because of your age I’m not sure.” The mole is on the left side of my neck near lymph nodes obviously and I guess younger age it can spread to lymph nodes a little easier (from what I read).

Looking forward to finally talking to the doctor Wednesday but wondering if you would do an SLNB with these stats.

Superficial spreading type
Breslow: 0.40 mm
No ulceration
Mitotic rate: 1/mm²
pT1a
Deep margin negative
Castle: 8%

Hi everyone I posted not too long ago but I’m really struggling with my anxiety about my diagnosis that I received a month ago. Just never imagined I would be here, as I’m sure we all feel. I am currently seeing a therapist and potentially going to look into some anxiety medications.

I am curious if anyone has taken anxiety medication during this process and what’s helped you manage the unknowns of this journey.

I was diagnosed stage 1A, Clarks level III, breslow depth 0.4mm and non ulcerated. Initially my derm recommended mohs surgery since it’s on my neck to help preserve as much skin as possible. I also was concerned about the proximity to on my lymph nodes. As a precaution she said we could order castle testing. I was a bit surprised for it to be at 8% since I thought it would be under 5% but I’m glad I checked.

I was referred to our local cancer center for the Mohs surgery prior to castle testing but after they received those results I was told yesterday but the care manager that is working with me that it was sent over to potentially be a WLE and lymph nodes potentially, they are reviewing and I’m hoping to hear back by tomorrow because this process has been so difficult, all the waiting. She told me that she wasn’t sure why but maybe due to age? When I looked into it more, research shows younger people have a bit of a higher risk of it traveling to lymph nodes than older people. I’m 38.

I’m nervous about possible lymph node removal then or course wanted what that outcome will be. I recognize I have a favorable prognosis but I am still terrified and just keep thinking the worst case scenarios. I have 2 young children and I need to be here for them.

Any uplifting stories are much appreciated. Thank you all!

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed amount a month ago with stage 1A melanoma on the side of my neck. Details include superficial spreading type, Clark’s level III, Breslow thickness 0.40mm, no ulceration and mitotic count: 1/mm. My doctor referred me to a cancer specialist for Mohs surgery due to it being on my neck. I expressed concern due to it being close to lymph nodes and I think for reassurance she went ahead with castle testing which came back at 8%, which she says is the “grey area.” She spoke with the doctors who will do my surgery and the will come up with a plan to move forward and call me to schedule surgery. The 8% was higher than I expected due to then thinness of the tumor.

My first question is anyone’s experience with Mohs surgery for 1A melanoma? I know it’s not standard but due to it being on my neck they are more specialized to do so.

I’m also curious about the castle results. She said she isn’t sure if they will just decide to exam my lymph nodes, do an ultrasound, cT scan or actual removal. Curious on others experiences with similar.

This is been a whirlwind of a month for me and I’m just trying to process all on this on top of my emotions to make the best decision. Thank you!

I just received my first diagnosis of 1A melanoma on my neck last Thursday. I received the results after hours on MyChart. My doctor is out on Fridays and apparently was out yesterday too. I understand people are out and it was a weekend but I feel like getting a new diagnosis of melanoma warrants a call from someone as soon as possible. I had to call the office multiple times Friday to get a call back from a medical assistant. They gave me some general info and said my doctor should call me Monday or Tuesday.

I called yesterday and left a message for her and for the person who schedules the surgery. I called again today and left another message. I get that things take time and maybe they think there isn’t a rush with it being 1A but I’m feeling frustrated with the process and no clear plan or date of a WLE.

I’m wondering if I’m overreacting in this scenario or if I should find a new dermatologist.

I feel silly posting this compared to other people’s diagnosis but I am really stressing myself out. I was diagnosed with stage 1A melanoma. I found out through the my chart app because it was after hours so I spiraled online trying to figure out the report. All positive outlooks from what I gathered, many things in my favor. My doctor was not in the office the next day (Friday) and now it’s the weekend and I’m a mess. I was able to speak to a medical assistant who reviewed my report with another doctor and he said my doctor will call me on Monday or Tuesday to schedule an in office appointment for the WLE within the next couple of weeks.

Now I’m spiraling thinking of all the worst case scenarios. I have tons of moles, freckles and spots on my body so thinking we missed a spot now and it could be in multiple places. I’m 38 with two young children and feel like I’m seeing my life flash before my eyes. Reading stories of people who had it once, kept getting it. I’m just terrified now that this is my life forever until I die from this thing. I never thought this would be me.

Reading the stories here have honestly made me even more stressed out. I guess I’m just looking for some support. Thank you.

I am super disappointed because I’ve stuck this out for 4 months and been on 1.15mg now with no changes. No appetite suppression, no weight loss, no decreased food noise. You hear SO many people having such success and it sucks to not be one of them. I was patient and kept waiting it out. I got approved to go up to 1.4mg but I’m not hopeful at all.

I’ve seen some people say they have had success switching to tirzepatide so I’m hoping to hear from
Other non responders on what they tried.

I’m 3 months in and currently at 0.8mg. Two more weeks at this dose and then I go up to 1.15mg which they say will be my highest dose.

I have had no weight loss (actually gained a few pounds) no appetite suppression, no decreased food noise. Super disappointing because I was really hoping this would work for me.

I can’t figure out why does this medication seem to work so well for others, amazing results and it’s done nothing for me. I’m looking into trying tirzepatide if I can find one that is cost effective but I’m just so frustrated and confused why this hasn’t helped me at all.

Curious if anyone has had any insight. I’ve heard the metabolism, everyone’s body is different etc but it’s just so weird.

I know people say it can take some time to lose weight until you are on a therapeutic else but I’m getting super discouraged.

I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life and I’ve lot and gained weight many times.

I went to this already exercising 5-6 times a week at least 30 minutes or more. I’ve calorie counted off and on and I know that when I stay around 1200 or 1300 calories that is when I lose weight but it’s so exhausting and hard to do that with the food noises.

I was taking phentermine on and off for two years and that drastically helped my food noise and helped me lose 20lbs. But with that med you can’t stay on it long term.

I know how to count calories etc but I needed the glp1 to help with food noise and appetite suppression. I’m getting none of the that. The food news is my side effects have been pretty much nonexistent except for some constipation.

I finally decided to try a glp1 and I am so disappointed. I started at 168 been taking for two months now. I am now up to 172. My starting dose was .25mg and I’m on week 10 now up to 0.6mg. I’m happy to go low and slow to reduce side effects but it’s really disheartening to see people lose weight so quickly and this expensive medicine is doing nothing for me.

I’ve reached out to the doctors and they continue to tell me to be patient and wait until I get to the max dose but I can’t help but be frustrated.

Ultimately I’m wanting to know if anyone has been in this same boat and ended up losing weight eventually? Every post I read is people losing right away.