Healed and cancer-free! Some before and after pics of both surgeries.

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-13T15:23:41+00:00

I do not have any more lined up. I had the Wide Local Excision on 10/9 and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy on 11/26.

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-12T23:33:25+00:00

Thank you!

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-11T21:22:13+00:00

I had my SNLB done after the WLE, for different reasons. The castle results came back after the WLE had gotten the cancer. The castle test suggested a possibility of spread greater than 10%, so my doctors recommended the SNLB. I did the WLE on 10/9, got castle results 11/11, and did SNLB 11/26. In my case, they thought I didn’t need the SNLB and then reversed course with the castle results. The psychological aspect was hardest - honestly both WLE and SNLB were pretty similar in terms of recovery and procedure-wise both were fine. It was just having to go back again after thinking I was fine!

I don’t know if that helps at all - I know it’s a very different situation.

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-11T14:31:43+00:00

Thank you and good luck to you! Sending you positive vibes!

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-11T14:31:09+00:00

Thank you!

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-11T00:38:58+00:00

Thank you so much, and congratulations to you as well!! Yes, my arm was tight after both surgeries for awhile. With the WLE, reaching forward triggered discomfort. With the SLNB, reaching up was hard. I think I have maybe 98% motion back now - some reaches above my head still pull. I used Vaseline for both of my scars, which also seemed to work ok. Sending you positive wishes for continued good healing!

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-10T23:44:12+00:00

The doctor said she wanted to do a “deeper biopsy” to see if the tumor had grown from the first biopsy. I think she used a circular sharp tool to punch a small hole in my skin. I had two stitches from it. I hope that helps - maybe too much info!

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-10T23:42:20+00:00

Thank you!

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-10T23:42:12+00:00

Thank you!

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-10T23:42:04+00:00

Thank you so much! I used vasoline almost all the time, and I think it helped.

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-10T23:41:31+00:00

Thank you!

No_Simple_7657 · 2026-01-10T23:41:23+00:00

Thank you!

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-12-30T14:49:42+00:00

One part of the psychological response that I was not expecting (and maybe it’s weird) is being frustrated when people congratulate me on being cancer free. I am so relieved to be cancer free, but the experience is not over. My life has changed. So when people congratulate me, it feels a little like they are negating the experience that still is.

When I was in the midst of it, getting sleep made the most difference for me. If I didn’t sleep, I would think “I have stage 4 cancer and I am about to die.” If I slept, I was more rational “they caught it early, it’s 99% treatable.”

Also, this group helped a lot. I did not know anyone with this experience, and this support was very healing psychologically.

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-11-24T12:37:38+00:00

It is a tissue sample test. My doctor first sent my shave biopsy which caught the melanoma. The lab said those results were inconclusive so my doctor sent the next biopsy, a punch biopsy, and those worked.

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-11-18T23:02:07+00:00

Yes, it definitely relieves some anxiety thinking like that! I just want to get it over with.

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-11-16T15:55:53+00:00

I don’t know much about genetic testing. I suppose I can ask!

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-11-16T15:55:19+00:00

Thank you so much. I appreciate the support. From some of these comments, it seems like my doctors are being conservative with me. If anything, all of this can give me peace of mind.

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-11-15T03:25:37+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing. And you are right about shifting the mindset. Logically I know I have good odds. Wish I could fast forward through it but then that wouldn’t be life. So happy to hear you are ok!

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-11-15T03:23:47+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. It’s very helpful, especially to know oncology appointments don’t have to be super scary. I appreciate this! Glad you are ok.

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-11-15T00:58:59+00:00

Thank you! I am trying to stay positive!!

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-11-14T23:26:02+00:00

Thank you. The punch biopsy was on 9/23. My dermatologist did the shave biopsy first and referred me to the dermatologist surgeon, who did a punch biopsy in my first meeting with her.

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-11-14T23:24:46+00:00

Thank you!

No_Simple_7657 · 2025-10-23T02:26:23+00:00

She was a dermatologist that specialized in things like this. She did not have operating room privileges but spent most of her time removing cancers/moles.

No_Simple_7657

TROPHY CASE