lizard lips - 10-13-2022 at 12:55 PM
I was recently diagnosed with stage 3 Melanoma and am currently taking infusions of Keytruda for the next year.
It all started with some dark moles on my back and one of them had the cancer that traveled to Lymph Nodes. I had a surgery and then a few weeks later
a Pet Scan that showed no cancer however my Oncologist started me on the infusions just for precaution. He said 50,000 cancer cells can live on a head
of a pin and not be detected by a Pet Scan so of course Im doing it but it hasn't been easy.
The medication has giving me reactions such as fatigue, weight loss, sleepless nights and terrible back pain.
The reason Im writing this is actually a public service for everyone. PLEASE SEE A PHYSICIAN IF YOU HAVE ANY MOLES OR DARK AREAS ON YOUR SKIN! DO IT
NOW AND DONT WAIT.
[Edited on 10-13-2022 by lizard lips]
Don Pisto - 10-13-2022 at 01:05 PM
and don't be fooled into thinking they'll only appear where the sun shines! im constantly being whittled on
elgatoloco - 10-13-2022 at 01:27 PM
LL - thank you for the reminder. I hope that you have a full recovery and can resume normal activities such as they are.
My Viking ancestors cursed me with a skin tone that never worked well with sun exposure. After 6+ decades of outdoor adventure and living near, on or
in the water my dermatologist and I have regular meet ups and I am constantly monitoring and checking.
Hang in there!
David K - 10-13-2022 at 03:41 PM
Oh Dan, I am sorry you are going through that. It is a great warning for anyone here.
I saw my doc recently and indeed asked him to look at one on my back... He said it wasn't a mole and no cancer worries.
Don't wait , see a doctor!
I remember how great it was to meet you back in 2002 at Viva Baja #3, in Oceanside... Many Nomads got to meet and visit then!
larryC - 10-13-2022 at 04:36 PM
About 5 years ago I was at my dermatologists office and she asked if I wanted a full body check over I hesitated and almost said no. Luckily I agreed
and she found a melanoma on my abdomen. Luckily it was in situ. Just a tiny little spot but when she cut it out she did a cut about 1.5-2" in
diameter. She said I was lucky it was there. Can you imagine if it was somewhere on your face? As LL said, don't mess with it, and get checked out.
AKgringo - 10-13-2022 at 04:51 PM
I was a blond haired, blue eyed kid that burned and peeled over many summers. I was also a construction worker and skier at Tahoe, where the thinner
atmosphere and reflected light off of water and snow increases the sun damage.
In 2005 I asked my doctor about a small but unusual growth on my shoulder. He said it was probably nothing to worry about (he was right) but the one
on my shoulder blade looked like melanoma. He was right about that too, and if he had removed just a bit more of it to be sent off for testing, that
would have been the end of it.
As it turned out I had to make another trip to Anchorage from out at the end of the Aleutian Islands for another trim job. I am fortunate that I have
had no further growths detected!
advrider - 10-13-2022 at 10:15 PM
Good info, thanks for sharing. I'm Native American so already have the darker skin, so I figured I was good and so far, I have been. My mother who was
full blooded Indian had several removed over the years. I'm always asking my doctor to look around just in case.
Hope all works out for you and that you make a speedy recovery. Are you still riding all of the amazing single track in Baja?
[Edited on 10-14-2022 by advrider]
pauldavidmena - 10-14-2022 at 06:51 AM
Interesting discussion! I'm Puerto Rican and have an olive complexion - always tanned, rarely burned - but as I've gotten older I've limited my
exposure to the sun. I do have a small dark blotch on both temples and routinely ask my doctor about it. I guess I should be reassured when he says
"Don't worry - it's just an age spot".
BajaMama - 10-15-2022 at 07:16 AM
Sorry you have to go through this Lizard Lips. I have been a sun lover all my life, and at my, ahem, age, I get annual screenings. Of course I had
to nag my husband 10 years to get him to go. Basal Cell Carcinoma for him - the best skin cancer to have. But he still gets pieces and chunks cut off
at least once a year. Even though I have nordic blood, I tan, he is burn and peel. Fingers crossed it doesn't get worse. Slather on the sun screen
and wear hats and sun shirts!