Husband has melanoma

Hi,

I haven't posted for several days because of a variety of problems. My husband who has been so faithful during my colectomy now has serious health issues of his own. He had a melanoma removed from his left cheek in 2001. According to the cancer surgeon it was only on top of the skin. Well, my husband returned in 2005 and a biopsy proved negative. Because the surgeon who was treating my husband retired, he just let it go for a couple of years. Bad, Bad mistake. We found another dermatologist in a city two hours away. ( We live way out in the boondocks.) After a biopsy, he found that the melanoma had returned! A plastic surgeon in Tuscaloosa removed the melanoma and performed a skin graft on Oct. 23. However, the plastic surgeon found a lump in my husband's neck while looking for a good place to take skin. That took us to another doctor- an endocrinologist. He will be having his thyroid taken out within the month. One thing leads to another, doesn't it?

We must keep the faith and think positive though/

Judy, how is your father-in-law? How old is he?

Jennie

My father-in-law is 84, but up until his diagnosis he was still chopping wood, trimming trees, and taking care of 1/2 acre of land. He was extremely healthy, never sick. Unfortunately his melanoma started in his maxillary sinus and there were no symptoms until it had spread throughout his body. We've been told that about 50% of melanomas start in a mucous membrane (sinuses, rectum, vagina, etc) and have no symptoms until it's too late. He and his wife of 61 years were religious about going to the dermatologist every 6 months to have moles checked. Never saw this coming.

He was stage 4 at diagnosis. He's on hospice now, but doing better with this latest round of chemo. Unfortunately we know that the chemo will only help temporarily as this melanoma is particularly agressive, and will always come right back. He had a tumor grow from 1" to about 6" in 4 weeks.

We've been told that if it's in the skin, you can battle this cancer for many years. That's a good thing. It can be cut out time and time again. I'll pray for you that it doesn't spread through the lymph glands and throughout the body. Keep up the fight, you can beat this for a long time.

Does your husbands thyroid "lump" have anything to do with the cancer? Have you had it biopsied? I'll remember you in my prayers.

i am really sorry to hear this nene i will keep ya'll in my prayers, hope all goes well

Jennie

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. You're correct in that keeping the faith is the best thing you can do. I'm having a thyroid biopsy next Thursday myself. Please keep us posted on how he's doing.

Hi,
Thanks for the kinds words. My husband has been my rock during all this colectomy business. In fact, he is the one who puts my wafer on every 4-5 days. I am such a baby!
The endocrinologist wants us back for another needle biopsy next week, and he suggested taking only half of the thyroid out so it would be easier on the surgeon???? Am I too suspicious ? Sometimes I think these doctors are trying to "drain us dry."
Keep the faith Irish-Mom. It could be nothing to worry about.
Jennie

Judy --- I must have had the same "mean" ET that you had!  I had to prove I could do it before I left Cleveland Clinic.  I remember her name too!  She really was an excellent ET nurse tho.  And everyone liked her a lot.

My hubby has never helped me change my appliance.. that could be my dilemma after I have shoulder surgery on Friday as you have probably read already.   It is always good to have them trained, I guess, even if they don't do it.  When I first got my temp ileo, I was still living with my parents many, many years ago.  My poor mother could not even look at the stoma without gagging.  She just so awful about not being able to help me, but she just couldn't.  And she was raised on a farm and butchered chickens, etc. - the whole nine yards!  So I have always done it all myself.

Jennie - I agree with Judy.  I think a second opinion is in order for your husband.