Awaiting Test Results [Archive]

Marlene

11-09-2007, 08:11 PM

I hadn't actually planned on posting anything about this, but I'm anxious this morning and thought maybe this would help.

When I was 13/14 my mom was diagnosed with melanoma and ended up having surgery to remove it. After the surgery and years of testing and checks, she's cured. Doing monthly self checks and going to the dermo yearly has been pounded into me. Yesterday I went to the the dermotologist for my yearly mole/skin check. I expected it to be like every other time and have them tell me 'see you next year'. But they took two moles for biopsies and, of course, I won't get the results for two weeks.

When they told me what they were going to do, I started to cry a little. I think I freaked out the resident that was working on me. She asked me if I didn't want to do it or should they call someone for me. I told her I have an anxiety disorder and this is what I do when I'm scared. So she should do what she needs to do and I'll do what I need to do.

I'm trying to keep positive thoughts in the front of my mind. Even the doctor said that it's very routine for them to take moles for biopsies. And with my mom having had skin cancer, they said they wanted to be extra cautious. OK, fine...I can deal with that. It's the waiting that is a real bitch for me. That and cancer is a trigger for my anxiety. I guess it doesn't make me a coward to admit that this whole thing scares me. My husband told me not to worry until there's something to worry about. Yeah babe...wish it could be that easy.

Lisa

2quilt

12-09-2007, 01:37 AM

Keep breathing, and remember that they like to do biopsies because we are interesting subjects to them. I have about ten moles on me and I have had 2 removed, one grew back after ten years. Sometimes they like to be cautious, sometimes they like to remove them to get more practice (it was a resident, right?) not really because the mole looked truly suspicious. Sometimes doctors do procedures on patients simply because we are interesting and the insurance company will pay them for it. If you really did have skin cancer, it grows super slowly, it does not kill you, and it is stopped easily.
Breathe slowly, go get some chocolate ice cream and listen to your music. The biopsies will come back normal, I bet you.

veiled

12-09-2007, 02:08 AM

Sounds very scary. Know that we are all supporting you and keeping our fingers crossed for you. Remember this is why you keep good appointments to do this. You are being very cautious and responsible just to be sure and they are doing the same for you. You are doing great by taking such good care of yourself.

I would say don't worry... But that is like trying to tell my cat not to shed. I hope your 2 weeks passes quickly, I think that is the hard part.

becvan

12-09-2007, 02:18 AM

Keep yourself busy and don't give your mind a chance to overwhelm you.

Hehe, wanna compare scars? I've had this done lot's along with cysts for the same reason. The waiting is the worst!

Remember to put all your self-care into action, and watch your thinking styles as this is when they will go down the pooper.

Keep us updated.

bec

Kathy

12-09-2007, 04:55 AM

Sorry to hear you must wait so very long for the results, Lisa! Believe me, as a breast cancer survivor myself, and now with Evie's illness, it is very difficult. Yes it is fairly routine to send moles away for biopsies. I have it done with mine always. I recall it starting when I was about 40, along with tests for breast and cervical cancer. I believe you are `approximately at the age where they would begin these tests as a precaution? And with your mother's history, hopefully they are simply being cautious. In any event, do try to take care during the next couple of weeks. I will pray for good test results for you. And if God forbid the results are not good, take comfort in the fact that the disease is being caught early. Early detection is key to successful treatment.

P.S. Evie sends you her good wishes as well, and is looking forward to speaking with you again once she's well enough!

nugget

12-09-2007, 08:49 AM

Hey their Lisa its a barstard when you have to wait for shit like that, as you can see we are all rooting for you , Oh that reminds me of some thing, i had a mole on my back once best $50 bucks i ever spent !. Take care keep smiling Nugget.

Nicolette

12-09-2007, 09:13 AM

Hope you don't have to wait too long Lisa and that you get a positive outcome.

:6:

Marlene

12-09-2007, 11:48 AM

Thanks all! Your support is so appreciated!! :Hug_emoticon:

I'm doing better than last night and this morning. Today I've been up and down, but not nearly as bad as I thought I'd be. Keeping busy has helped and I'm working on keeping the negative thoughts at bay. Reminding myself that this is something I can deal with has helped, too.

I spoke with my mom this evening and asked her about her mole and her procedure. I knew about this after her biopsy and surgery, but before that I was a typical oblivious kid who didn't pay attention to much. She had stage III melanoma when she went to the doctor for her mole. I never knew this until tonight. But talking to her did help me to feel better and a bit less stressed.

Again, thanks so much for all your words of support. Having friends in your corner makes a lot of difference. And yes, Kathy, I'm at that lovely age for the tests and such. My youngest told me that if I fall apart any quicker she's going to have to hold me together with duct tape!

Lisa

Nicolette

12-09-2007, 04:26 PM

My youngest told me that if I fall apart any quicker she's going to have to hold me together with duct tape!

Cruel but funny!:rolleyes:

Just think of yourself as a good bottle of wine - you get better with age!

She Cat

12-09-2007, 07:45 PM

Marlene,

I think that most of us can relate to the "Waiting game" when it come to test results...It just plain ole sucks...I'm glad that talking to your mom helped to ease your mind some too. Any little bit helps.

I hope that things turn out fine for you.

My girlfriend has melanoma too. She was a stage III Graves 4. Positive Sentinel Lymph node. That was 8 yrs ago. She too gets check ups every 1-2 yrs. To date everything id fine with her.

Wen

Marlene

13-09-2007, 07:48 PM

Cruel but funny!:rolleyes:

Yeah, she inherited her father's sense of humor. Quiet and dead on. There's been so many physical things that have happened since my symptoms started that had never happened to me before. I went from the person who never got a cold to someone with all sorts of issues really quickly.

She's still a little smart ass, though! LOL

Lisa

batgirl

14-09-2007, 12:37 AM

Hi Lisa, I'm hoping (obviously!) that the results are negative for cancer. It does suck having to wait so long for the results. I definitely relate although in my personal case I'm getting kind of used to things now. I remember though before I was diagnosed, the doctors suspected I was going to get cancer so they were doing frequent tests for it and it was very stressful. Do some nice things for yourself, try to keep busy and distract yourself until you can get the results. Like others have said, tests for cancer are routine for your age group so hopefully it is nothing to worry about, simply a precaution.

Marlene

19-09-2007, 04:41 AM

...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

zoe

19-09-2007, 04:52 AM

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

She Cat

19-09-2007, 05:52 AM

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

2quilt

19-09-2007, 06:23 AM

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.

batgirl

19-09-2007, 11:40 AM

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...

Lisa

19-09-2007, 06:20 PM

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

Nicolette

19-09-2007, 07:10 PM

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.

Marlene

19-09-2007, 08:15 PM

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

2quilt

20-09-2007, 01:54 AM

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

She Cat

20-09-2007, 03:58 AM

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

batgirl

20-09-2007, 04:17 AM

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.

Kathy

20-09-2007, 05:13 AM

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.

mouse

20-09-2007, 06:14 AM

Lisa,
I just got to read your results, Well pre- Cancerous is defiantly better than full on cancer But not as good as nothing at all--Now that I have said the obvious, I hope it helps o hear over and over again. Now we know that early detection is key so a few things in life may change but your quality of life is still good and will continue to be. You are a strong person with way to much on your plate to deal with right now, But I just wanted to share my outlook with you, God only gives what we can handle to each person you are strong enough to handle and get through all this, as hard and unfair as that seems. I f ever you need to vent do so, we all have crappy things happen in this life, not to discredit what you and others are going Thur. but you will be OK Lisa I know it .

Amber

She Cat

20-09-2007, 07:05 AM

Ok, so I just did the talking before thinking thing too. Sorry.

I know how serious cancer is.....I just felt bad that 2quilt was so upset. Again I apologize for my post.

Wen

veiled

20-09-2007, 07:41 AM

Oh Lisa, I am glad you caught it before it got worse. You are in my prayers :) I am glad you keep up those check ups!

Jim

21-09-2007, 02:37 AM

You're in our family's prayers Lisa. Take good care.

Jim.

Marlene

25-09-2007, 07:29 AM

Thanks everyone for the support.

I went to the doctor's today to find out what's next. Originally I had been called by a doctor from the clinic who told me they were going to take a bigger piece of tissue. Then the dermatologist overrode that decision today. Seems they got everything the first time out. So I get to go see the dermatologist twice a year and they're going to keep a closer eye on things.

Just glad things are settling down with this.

Again...thanks for all the support.

Lisa

She Cat

25-09-2007, 10:49 AM

Glad that your mind is finally at ease, and it seems like you have a terrific Derm....

Wen

Jim

25-09-2007, 11:53 AM

Glad they got it all the first time round. Well done. You likely already heard the grandsons loved lighting the candle for you at church. After they finished fighting over it that is. ;-)

Jim.

Kathy

26-09-2007, 03:06 AM

Oh my that fight over the candle was so very cute. I wish we could have filmed it for you Lisa! In any event, I am pleased things have settled down for you somewhat.

Marlene

26-09-2007, 08:30 AM

Kathy and Jim,

When Evie told me about the candle lighting (and all that went into making it a success) it absolutely made my day!

It reminded me of when my girls were younger and how everything had to be 'just so' so little feelings didn't get hurt and little bottom lips didn't poke out.

Thanks
Lisa