Socal 524 Posted June 8, 2014 I wanted to use my situation as an opportunity to educate this forum as well as whoever I can on skin cancer and particularly melanoma (the most aggressive and dangerous of the 3 types of skin cancer), the type that I unfortunately have. I say educate because up until 2 weeks ago, I still thought skin cancer was just something that is removed and you go on living your life normally, they believe skin cancer rarely kills people (i'd say most people don't even realize that it can kill anyone, it just scars tissue on your body). I am not sure how skin cancer got this reputation compared to other types of cancer. The fact is that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US, 3.5 million people are diagnosed annually. One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. The two types of skin cancer aside from melanoma are called basal cell and squamous cell, and account for 98% of all skin cancer diagnoses. Malignant melanoma accounts for less than 2% of skin cancer cases but overwhelmingly makes up most deaths. One person dies of melanoma every hour. Over 76,000 new cases of melanoma are expected to be diagnosed this year, and nearly 10,000 deaths are estimated. Tomorrow I have a three hour surgery where the surgeons will remove a 4 inch long and about 2 inch wide piece of tissue where the original tumor is removed, this procedure is called a wide excision melanoma and is done to ensure that all cancerous cells near the tumor are completely removed. Before this, the surgeon will complete what is called a sentinel node biopsy where he will inject a radioactive blue dye into the tissue near the tumor. This dye will then be picked up by the lymphatic system and brought to the nearest lymph node. A small wand like device that detects radiation will then be passed over the site to locate the specific lymph node. The node will most likely be in my groin, or axillary area (underneath the armpit). Once it is located, the surgeon will then remove the node and send it out to a pathologist to be analyzed for cancer. This procedure is done to diagnose the stage of the cancer (levels 1-4) right now I have level 1B cancer with the knowledge they have. It will tell them if the cancer has spread, if it has, it bumps me up to level 3B and additionally surgery and treatment is required. I find out the results Wednesday night, the doctors are confident that it will come back negative so I am hopeful for that. Wish me luck and hope, pray for the best. If you want to see video of the surgery, you can look up sentinel node biopsy and wide excision melanoma on youtube (caution its graphic). P.S.A wear your sunscreen, and if you don't at least put it all over your kids if you have them. 18 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blotsfan 2,112 Posted June 8, 2014 i didn't know this was happening. Hope the results come back ok. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
southgadawg 52 Posted June 8, 2014 I will keep you in my prayers. My own father survived skin cancer (even if he didn't survive policystic kidney disease). 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted June 8, 2014 Also, to add to everything you said... Just because you don't get a sunburn, that doesn't mean your skin isn't getting damaged by the sun. A tan in reality is just your skin's reflection of skin damage. This is why I've always been big on sunscreen. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Phailadelphia Posted June 8, 2014 That's scary, man. I'll be sending good vibes your way this week. Fingers crossed for you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted June 8, 2014 Best wishes dude. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted June 8, 2014 Here's to good vibes and the best results. I hope you hear good news on Wednesday. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted June 8, 2014 If you want we can smoke cigarettes and fuck under some power lines after your successful surgery. Just messing with ya man, you'll be great. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014 Posted June 8, 2014 Your uber-healthy body should man up and kick the shit out of that cancer, imo. In all seriousness, as I said earlier, good luck and keep us posted. My girlfriend sends her best wishes as well. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted June 9, 2014 Seems like you've been given a positive prognosis. I'm sure you're going to be just fine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theMileHighGuy 656 Posted June 9, 2014 Wow scary stuff man. How did you know/find it? Best of luck. Any idea from the doctors on what caused it... sun/hereditary? I just got back from the beach and I was pretty liberal with the sunscreen but my pasty ass still got burnt pretty bad. I honestly worry about this stuff every time. I hope everything turns out ok for you, it's terrible this happened to you so young. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC 331 Posted June 9, 2014 Best wishes. That's crazy how getting out in the sun and catching some vitamin D can be so good for you and is a recommended supplement for good physical and mental health, yet can be killing you at the same time. I've been probably not helping my own case lately, as whenever we get a Sunny month up here in Seattle like we've had its really hard not to want to just soak every last ray up as we often go 5 months without getting such weather up here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bangy 19 Posted June 9, 2014 All the best Socal, shit to hear what's happened but power through and all shall be good. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Omerta+ 1,206 Posted June 9, 2014 Go forth and kick cancer's ass man. You got this shit dude. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FartWaffles 1,857 Posted June 10, 2014 That's some heavy shit man. I hope all goes well with your surgery. I've heard something along the lines that if you've been sunburned to where you skin peels about twice, your chances of getting skin cancer raises at an alarming rate. It's definitely not something to be taken lightly. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted June 10, 2014 I can't say I know what it feels like to be you right now.. What it's like to be going through what you are, have, or will... What I do know, however, is that you must never lose hope. The second you begin feeling down or like you have no shot is the second you let the disease beat you.Believe, no matter how hard it might be. I'd wish you good luck, but I don't think you need it. Stay well and of right mind, my friend. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted June 10, 2014 Best of luck. Punch cancer in the dick. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted June 10, 2014 Jesus Christ. Throat punch this bullshit cancer, Taylor. You are a strong person, you'll get through this man. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Socal 524 Posted June 10, 2014 Thanks for all the positive vibes, guys. My surgery was successful, I was at the hospital for about 12 hours yesterday, the last patient to leave the post-op room. My surgery got delayed an hour because the anesthesiologist was off schedule (it wasn't his fault). The surgery then took about an hour longer because they needed to remove two lymph nodes underneath my right pec, they were really deep and because I'm pretty muscular the surgeon had difficulty getting them out quickly. Im recovering at the hotel right now, I'm in some pain but i have pills for it, the issue is that i have shooting nerve pain down my right arm, it feels like an ice burn. Ill find out the results tomorrow afternoon so I will update everyone then. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Omerta+ 1,206 Posted June 10, 2014 Cancer never stood a chance. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AL_Royalty 489 Posted June 10, 2014 I didn't know this was going on man. I don't usually know what to say in these situations, but I'm rooting for you. You got this shit man. Best wishes man. You'll be up and about in no time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wattafan 28 Posted June 10, 2014 Thanks for all the positive vibes, guys. My surgery was successful, I was at the hospital for about 12 hours yesterday, the last patient to leave the post-op room. My surgery got delayed an hour because the anesthesiologist was off schedule (it wasn't his fault). The surgery then took about an hour longer because they needed to remove two lymph nodes underneath my right pec, they were really deep and because I'm pretty muscular the surgeon had difficulty getting them out quickly. Im recovering at the hotel right now, I'm in some pain but i have pills for it, the issue is that i have shooting nerve pain down my right arm, it feels like an ice burn. Ill find out the results tomorrow afternoon so I will update everyone then. Hope it's all good dude. My dad has been in remission for Lung C for about 10 years and is 79. Hang in there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteelersNation36 128 Posted June 10, 2014 Hoping you have a a good recovery. How did you end up finding out you had it? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Socal 524 Posted June 11, 2014 Just got the call from my oncologist a half hour ago, the tests on my lymph nodes they removed came back negative, I am cancer free. Thanks for the support guys. 25 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
southgadawg 52 Posted June 11, 2014 Just got the call from my oncologist a half hour ago, the tests on my lymph nodes they removed came back negative, I am cancer free. Thanks for the support guys. Praise the Lord! Great news! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites