melenoma and lymh node

[jennystar]

I am a 22 yr old female who was dx with melenoma in March 07. It was .55mm breslow and clark level 3, was told I am stage T1a. I have major anxiety and depression, and have had hard time with this. I worry ALOT about so much. I have 2 babies and have been breastfeeding my 3 month old since birth. I seen an oncologist and all was fine, and a month later which was last week He felt a swollen lymph node that is mobile and tender at times. It is about like a marble kinda firm, but not like a rock. I go in a few days for a CT scan, and I am soooo nervous. I had LDH, CBC, and chest xray and all was normal. What can this be?? My melnoma was thin, and they said stage 1 would most likely never spread. Also the mole was lower right back and the lymph node is in left armpit. Please help!!! Thanks

[CaymanDjay]

I too have just been diagnosed with Stage 1A melanoma (on my left thigh) and it is scary.  This is a disease that can present itself 6 months from now, a year from now or 10 years from now and you have no warnings except to be proactive.  
I have a spot that was seen from a CT Scan on my lower bowel last year that they are now wondering if my melanoma presented itself in my bowel first...so that has me scared going for a new CT Scan this Friday.

Have you been seen by an Oncologist?  If not I would do that because Dermatologists are good for catching it on your skin, but not if anything is lurking the body (not that I want to scare you) but you have to be SO ahead of this disease.
Email me at ***@**** if you want to talk further.

Donna

[Pum]

That is great news. Thanks for the update.

[jennystar]

Hi I got my CT scan results today, and everything was completly normal. What a relief, but of course I have other moles I am concerened about. This will hang over my head the rest of my life. I am just glad it was normal.

[Pum]

I can't be much help but wanted you to know I was thinking of you.  I have been trying to write for the past few days but have had password problems.

Of course you are worried even though the risks of the melanoma spreading are pretty low from what I have read.  It is great that you are being so thoroughly checked out.
A swollen lymph gland could be from lots of things and one in your armpit could be due to beastfeeding or an infection or a blocked duct or sometimes women even have milk glands there (I think.)

Please let us know how you get on. Good luck.