Aaaah SHIT! I just got my biopsy results. It's melanoma.

[11 Bravo]

About a half an hour ago I got the call from my dermatologist's office. The prognosis isn't too bad, in fact, it's pretty good, and I'll have surgery on Wednesday. Besides, I've already kicked cancer's candy ass once, way back in '97; and I'm ready to do it again.

We caught it early, and it appears to be not overly invasive; but having heard the "C" word once already, I'll admit that hearing it again was a gut punch. After hugging my wife, and telling my sons how much I love them, I may have to be twice as obnoxious for a couple of days, just to convince myself that I'm too fucking tough to be sick. (If so, I apologize in advance.)

[Delphinus]

1. {{hugs}}

May you find all you need to recover from this bout too. You're here with friends, just remember that.

[mike_c]

2. best of luck to you....

Hang tough.

[Fumesucker]

3. Sorry to hear you've got the big C, glad to hear the prognosis is good

Godspeeed, man.

[apnu]

4. Love the attitude.

Now that's how its done.

[Kingofalldems]

5. Well we know infantry is badass anyway

Good luck Wednesday.

[NYC_SKP]

6. KICK ITS FUCKING ASS, 11 Bravo!

And take the hell good care of yourself, we're all behind you!

[Hulk]

161. Ditto on that one!

Wish you the very best. You have the right attitude, and you'll take care of business.

[Solly Mack]

7. Let us know how it goes. Best wishes and good vibes.

[Octafish]

8. Keep up your dukes, 11 Bravo!

Max Ring speaks of Beethoven's visit to Grätz castle...

The old castellan, was firmly convinced that Beethoven was not quite right in his mind; he would often run, bareheaded, without a hat, around in the great park of the castle hours on end, even if it were raining with lightning and thunder. On other occasions, he would sit for whole days shut up in his room without seeing anybody and not speaking a word. But the most insane behaviour occurred when the French occupied Grätz after the battle of Austerlitz (1806). The prince had aroused the hopes of the French general of meeting the celebrated composer and to hear him play on the piano-forte. To this end, a great musical soiree was arranged at the castle and the composer was to play his latest compositions. Beethoven, however, refused although the Prince repeatedly and earnestly requested him to do so. Nevertheless, the Prince sill hoped to persuade the obstinate musician, and invited the French general and other distinguished guests. On the appointed evening Beethoven was nowhere to be seen. Finally the news came that the artist had secretly left the castle and fled on foot to the town of Grätz in the cold winter night - only a letter to the Prince had been found in his room. In it he explained that he could not play to enemies of his country and added "Prince! what you are,you are by circumstance and by birth. What I am, I am through myself. Of Princes there have been and will be thousands. Of Beethovens there is only one.."

http://www.lvbeethoven.co.uk/page10.html

[MrScorpio]

9. Kick cancer's ass, bro

It ain't tough enough to take you down

[OldDem2012]

10. You've got the correct fighter's attitude! Good luck and best wishes! nt.

[sharp_stick]

11. Kick it's ass again

Glad to hear you got it early, that can make all the difference in the world.

[GreenStormCloud]

12. Good luck to you. N/T

[MADem]

13. Kicking so more will see--hope everything goes well and this is behind you soon. nt

[Warpy]

14. The pathology lab will check for indications that it's spread

and if it has, it's chemo time. However, it's still one of the more curable ones if it's caught early.

In the meantime, don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you. You have no reason to believe it spread. You have been on top of this stuff because you've already had a scare.

It still sucks and you get to complain about it, though.

[Pachamama]

143. Not entirely accurate assessmenton the treatment...

If the indications are that it has spread to the lymphnodes (depending on the margins excised) they may do a sentinel lymph node biopsy. As you get into the more advanced stages of Melanoma (i'm a Stage 2 survivor) then depending on their concern that it may have spread into lymph nodes they remove all lymph nodes near the melanoma are of origin and then begin immunotherapy with the use of interferon and possibly radiation. Later more advanced stages (4 & 5) will use actual chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy (called Biochemotherapy).

I know you meant well Warpy, but I think its important to give accurate information. Chemotherapy is not used until the very advanced stages and Melanoma is different from other cancers in that its response is to immunotherapy, thus its primary use. I had Stage 2, treated by some of top doctors at UCSF's Melanoma clinic. There was surgical removal of the melanoma with wide margins, sentinel lymph node biopsy (avoided lymph node dissection - full removal) and then had adjuvant therapy (immunotherapy) with interferon.

I asked Bravo in an earlier reply where its located....that is important....in my case it was on my lower leg....far from lymphnodes. 75% of all Melanoma occurs on womens limbs, particularly lower legs below knee. Men tend to have it on their head and torso. Its interestingly where the sexes are not equal....thus a stage 1 on the torso can actually be worse than stage 3 on lower leg.

The good news is that the care and treatment and developments regarding melanoma have become very advanced and the survivalbility better than ever. I have a friend who has mucousal melanoma in his nasal passage....49 yrs old....he's just completed radiation and immunotherapy and he's doing well all things considered...but mucousal is the melanoma of melanomas....and usually not caught till very advanced...

[riderinthestorm]

15. Ok, get your fighting gloves on, don the attitude, practice here on DU

and good luck on Wednesday. I am really sorry about the diagnosis and will be thinking of you in the days ahead...

[TwilightGardener]

16. Sorry about that--hopefully they'll hack it out of you for good, and that will be that.

[kentuck]

17. You can do 11B20...

My Brother was diagnosed with a melanoma about 10 years ago and it was fairly deep as melanomas go. He has been lucky in that it has not returned.

Hang in there.

[Cha]

18. Good Attitude, 11 Bravo!

[LeftofObama]

19. I'll keep you in my thoughts!

I wish you the best on Wednesday.

[AndyA]

20. Wishing you a quick and complete recovery

Glad you caught it early. Be healthy and live long!

[villager]

21. Here's to kicking-ass redux!

Hang in there, 11 Bravo, and all healing wishes!

[ProSense]

22. Stay positive and stress free.

My prayers are with you.

[pacalo]

113. I second this. This is what my mom's oncologist told us when Mom had breast cancer.

She was cancer-free for 10 years following her mastectomy. At 81 yrs. old, she passed away in November of something totally unrelated.

[southernyankeebelle]

23. You sound like a fighter and you seem to have humor. Those are the most important

qualities a person should have when getting bad news. My father-in-law was that way. Always playing jokes on us and sending us off to do his chores like buying cloths and bringing them home only to hear him get mad because we got something he didn't like. While we are gone he would get one of his fishing rubber little pets and tie a string around it and when we would get back and start opening the screen door he pulls on the string and the little pet starts to move and we start screaming and jumping. He loved it and we were relieved it was fake. My mother kept him going for a very long long time. God rest his soul. He died of old age.

[hlthe2b]

24. That's the attitude...! 'Sorry you have to go through this, but kick that cancer "Candy Ass"

(as you say)....

[Aerows]

25. Sorry to hear that

Best wishes, and may you be far to ornery for it to beat you!!

[countryjake]

26. Will be thinking of you Wednesday...

good vibes for smooth surgery and strength in a swift recovery!

[NightWatcher]

27. Fight on Brother. Kick it's ass

And take care of yourself. Families make it worth fighting even if you get tired.

[freshwest]

28. Kick it down the stairs and never look back, 11Bravo.

[KoKo]

29. ((((Good Vibes to You)))))

to your optimistic fighting spirit! But...yeah...it's still that underneath nagging that creeps in. Been there and know...

[colorado_ufo]

30. You'll be fine!

Good job, catching this thing quickly. White light from us all!

[Mz Pip]

31. Good luck with the surgery.

May you enjoy a speedy and full recovery.

[ZombieHorde]

32. Sorry.

[angstlessk]

33. Got a diagnosis 30 years ago...carcanoma insitu...the best diagnosis for cancer you can have..

Cancer but it has not spread...and can be cut out completely..and NO other treatment is necessary .. that is good news!

[City Lights]

34. Keep on kickin' ass!

Best of luck to you.

[TDale313]

35. Sending lots of good thoughts/energy.

Kick its ass again!

[kairos12]

36. Go all out Hoohah on that diagnosis

[aikoaiko]

37. Kick its arse ---> ( ! )

[cliffordu]

38. Hang in there, brother.

You've been through worse and we both know it.

You can be as obnoxious as you need.

Let your freak flag fly.

c

[Robb]

39. That cancer's gonna regret ever setting foot in your door.

Boot to it's ass, man. Pulling for you.

[Frustratedlady]

40. Good luck for a positive outcome.

I know of several people who have had the surgery for melanoma and are doing just fine. The same is going to happen for you, as well. Keep the UP attitude and know that DUrs have got your back.

[samsingh]

41. here's to a complete and rapid recovery

[Lone_Star_Dem]

42. You're gonna kick cancer's ass one more time!

Give it a punch or two for me while you're at it. It and I still have a score to settle.

I'll be thinking of you and looking forward to your full recovery.

[malaise]

43. Now yhou just beat that fugger

and get back to good health

[Lint Head]

44. So sorry. I've had the scare with my kidney. Had a benign cyst. For those of us who need to keep

our guard, what did you notice that gave you the indication it needed to be looked at? Or, was it a routine exam and the doctor found something? I have some skin issues and constantly look out for unusual spots etc. The web is full of photos but one wonders how accurate the web is sometimes. I could have some mole on me right now that I'm ignoring. It's good when you can hear from someone first hand.

I'm pulling for you. It took my mother.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

118. I'm curious too if he is up to it.

Every little bit of info helps.

A former co-worker had a friend who had melanoma. Her friend described it as sort of "dirt smudge". A couple years later my co-worker friend noticed a "dirt smudge" on her leg. She probably would have blown it off if not for the description her friend gave.

[Lint Head]

127. Yes. A lot of folks could benefit from other people's experience.

[11 Bravo]

137. I spent a lot of time in the sun when I was younger, so I have regular yearly skin checks.

I had no idea anything was going on, and the lesion was in the middle of my back ... in other words, I never would have seen it. The dermatologist said she wanted to biopsy it just to be safe. I'm glad she did.
Sorry I can't provide more substantive help, but it was just a routine check-up. I would advise regular skin checks, because the doc will be able to spot things you can't see (like a mole right in the middle of your back)!

[Lint Head]

142. Thanks Bravo 11. I'm having a check up next week.

[juajen]

45. This must hurt very much; yet, you are bravely looking upwards.

I will pray to every God I know and do not know that you will be fine. Frankly, I believe you already are.

[kcass1954]

46. I'll be sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

I'm really glad to hear that it was caught early.

[barbtries]

47. i'm glad you caught it early.

best to you for a full and speedy recovery.

[DinahMoeHum]

48. Just remember, you have a whole gallery here

pulling for you.

[noiretextatique]

49. kick its ugly ass, 11 Bravo!!!

as another member of the club no one wants to join, my heart goes out to you. as does my strength and support

[kelliekat44]

50. Hoping for the best for you. Peace!

[cal04]

51. speedy recovery and lots of hugs

11 Bravo

[tblue37]

52. My brother was diagnosed with melanoma in 2003, at age 55.

He had three lesions removed from his face, and he gets checkups to make sure he is still cancer free, but it has never come back.

I hope your outcome is equally good.

[blm]

53. (( ))

.

[Granny M]

54. Wishing you all the best, 11 Bravo.

Glad the prognosis is looking good. Sounds like you're a strong and stubborn fighter, so here's to kicking cancer's candy ass again. Please let us know how you are getting on, as soon as you're up to it.

[Cali_Democrat]

55. (((GOOD VIBES)))

[Flaxbee]

56. That's a great attitude, 11 Bravo. My sister's gone through

cancer a few times -- of course she'd rather have not, but oddly enough, she said the second time around wasn't so scary.

to you and your family.

You'll kick butt once again.

[Pachamama]

57. Stage 2 Melanoma Survivor here.....going on 4 years with no recurrence....

Mine was located on my lower leg....went through immniotherapy which uses interferon to help the immune system battle the cancer in the lymphatic system.

Where is yours 11 Bravo? Have they told you what stage? Sounds like from your optimism and catching early that its In Situ....

You will know more after Wednesdays surgery....dont be surprised at how much gets dug out - they have to make sure there are clear and wide margins.....

[spooky3]

58. The C doesn't have a chance against you.

[mac56]

59. It's ass kicking time again.

Give it hell.

[protect our future]

60. Lots of good thoughts, prayers, big hugs

and anything else I can think of that can help get you well--all coming your way from me.

[greytdemocrat]

61. Always be positive.

My dad had that too and beat it...

[warrprayer]

62. survival

is the will to live.

You got that all over.

Keep fightin'!!!!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

63. I am sorry to hear that

my husband is a 10 year survivor! Medical techniques are much better these days so you should be OK!

[yourout]

64. My Mrs had a mole removed 30 years ago and the tactless Intern Doc came in and....

said. "It's Cancer". Not "abnormal cells", Not "melanoma"........just "It's Cancer".
After picking her up off the floor I should have replaced her with him.

The story ends well though as after having an unpleasant excision she has been cancer free for 30+ years.

[jerseyjack]

65. Best Wishes for a speedy and full remission.

[WillyT]

66. Kick Some Ass 11 Bravo !!!

& Rec !!!

[LoisB]

67. Damn skippy. You're too tough to let this beat you. Fight on 11 Bravo - we're

with you.

[Loki]

68. 11 Bravo

Sending you powerful healing thoughts. That big "C" ain't got nothing on you.

[hatrack]

69. I'd recommend further, thorough ass-kicking of cancer's candy ass!

Here's hoping that all goes well, and we'll be thinking of you!

[senseandsensibility]

70. You seem very positive

and that can only be a plus. Good luck, and I'm happy that you found it early!

[gademocrat7]

71. Sending healing thoughts and prayers.

Take care.

[WCGreen]

72. I hear you...

Stay stronge.

[Gorp]

73. Shit. My dad's been through Chemo for that.

He took the pop-up button from a ButterBall chicken to one session and when he came out of the tube he told the attendants that he must be done. He's got a sick sense of humor.

I'm glad they caught it early. I used to get sun poisoning several times a summer as a kid. I didn't even know what "sun screen" was at the time. Every mole or weird spot on my skin makes me worry but so far my GP has said nothing warrants a biopsy. I know it's just a matter of time.

I wish you the best of luck and apparently I'm not the only one on DU to do that. Try to keep your "kick ass" attitude in place. Sometimes that's the most powerful force you can have in place.

Keep us posted.

[kworkman]

74. Another 11B

Hell Dude, once you've had the 11B everything else don't mean nuttin'. You're in my thoughts.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

75. Wishes to you for a completely successful triumph over C & a long healthy life with your family. nt

[Rozlee]

76. You survived being an 11 Bravo, you'll survive melanoma.

11B's are as tough as diamonds and infinitely more valuable.


From a 66 Hotel.

[Ilsa]

77. I'm so sorry. Will be hoping for the best.

Kick its butt for us, okay?

[sarge43]

78. One cancer survivor to another

We're still here; we're still kicking ass

Holding you in the light. Keep us posted.

[roseBudd]

79. I had a .4 removed a year ago, on my ankle. Will you need a skin graft?

I lost 50% of my graft, it sloughed off, and had to heal by secondary intention.

Will you be getting Moh's?

Also cut out any aspirin, ibuprofen ASAP. I had hematoma, they cut me the same day the biopsy came back and I had taken ibuprofen the night before.

[denbot]

80. Vibes dude

Peace to you and yours.

[Smarmie Doofus]

81. I had an in situ melanoma about 10 year ago.

So I appreciate the seriousness. Early, of course, is good.

After you kick ass again keep up those three/four times a year mole checks ( Seems like a rip-off; he always biopsies things that turn out to be nothing, but wtf am I gonna do?)

Vibes.

[11 Bravo]

82. If I wasn't tough as nails, I'd probably be in tears by now. Thanks to all. Now, my wife and I ...

have this thing that we do. We made the deal 15 years ago, on the evening that I was diagnosed for the first time, and we called it "FUCK CANCER"! So ... while this probably falls under the heading of TMI, I'm going to step away from the computer now. (And since I'm an old fart, I will almost certainly fall fast asleep soon after.) I'll be back tomorrow, but again I have to thank my second family ... DU.
Good night all.

[graywarrior]

83. Oh man, that's a shocker!

Sending you some healing vibes and hoping for the best.

[MarianJack]

84. Best of luck, 11 Bravo!

Melanoma was my cancer, too, way back in 1988.

PEACE!

[emsimon33]

85. Be well and heal fast!

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

86. The best of luck to you.

[Nye Bevan]

87. Catching it early is HUGE.

Positive vibes.

[Arctic Dave]

88. ((()))

[nolabear]

89. Kick it, Baby. You know you got the goods.

[MotherPetrie]

90. Thinking positive for you.

[sad-cafe]

91. prayers for a speedy recovery

and quick too

[Le Taz Hot]

92. Sending positive vibes your way.

So great that you caught it early. Please keep us updated.

Peace,
LTH

[Unknown Beatle]

93. You'll kick it's ass again.

Never give up and keep fighting.

Godspeed, 11B

[AgingAmerican]

94. 20 year study shows Cannabinoids are proven to halt aggressive cancers

Marijuana And Cancer: Scientists Find Cannabis Compound Stops Metastasis In Aggressive Cancers

A pair of scientists at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco has found that a compound derived from marijuana could stop metastasis in many kinds of aggressive cancer, potentially altering the fatality of the disease forever.

"It took us about 20 years of research to figure this out, but we are very excited," said Pierre Desprez, one of the scientists behind the discovery, to The Huffington Post. "We want to get started with trials as soon as possible."

Link and Video here...

[Blue_In_AK]

95. Good luck, 11Bravo

You've got the right attitude. Kick cancer's butt.

[kestrel91316]

96. Even if it HAS spread, all is not lost. There have been some very real improvements

in management of melanoma - I think there is a therapeutic vaccine that is a revolutionary breakthrough.

The only reason I know anything about this is because I am one of those weird people with multiple halo nevi and I read decades ago about how people with them have circulating antibodies to melanoma. I just KNEW that would someday play out into a vaccine-based therapy for melanoma, and it did. I've often mused about how we weirdos maybe helped to save lives by providing a crucial clue.

So - they'll probably get it all with surgery - and on the off chance they don't, it's no longer guaranteed to kill.

[Skittles]

97. 11 Bravo, you will kick cancer ass again

yes INDEED

and remember, we are always here for you

[stevenleser]

98. Sorry to hear that.

Hope you are able to get and stay cancer free!

[no_hypocrisy]

99. Sorry about the melanoma. I know what it's like.

My dermatologist caught a Stage I melanoma about 6 years ago. I had a surgeon remove the surrounding tissue and it was clean. I hope that you're as fortunate.

I know visit my dermatologist 2-3 times a year for global examinations. When my doctor hovers over a spot and says, "That really should come out . . . . ", I practically shout "What are you waiting for?????"


If you get regular check ups, there's a good chance if any new cancer is found, it be very early and treatable.

Good luck to you!

[SmileyRose]

100. Just in case you need it (don't think you will)

Vibes

[ellenfl]

101. i wish you good luck and frequent checkups

i've had basal and squamous cell. you'll be fine. constant vigilance is the watchword, but you know that. i'll send good vibes your way on wednesday. i'm in south florida. which direction should i send them?

[MannyGoldstein]

102. Good thoughts!

Good luck!

[hue]

103. Best wishes to You! Stay out of the sun & take good care of Yourself!!

[Daemonaquila]

104. Good luck!

Kick it's butt!

[Canuckistanian]

105. You kicked it's ass once

You can do it again.

[ancianita]

106. Wishing you every success and joy your heart can hold. You can beat this. We're with you.

[Lefta Dissenter]

107. Well, that totally sucks.

I'm sorry you're going through this. It must be scary as shit.

But hey, with your strength and with all of DU standing behind you, you're going to kick this thing from here to Timbuktu.

[spanone]

108. c has a good ass whippin' ahead.....

[msanthrope]

109. Keep us posted, and know that you are in my thoughts. nt

[roguevalley]

110. a friend of mine beat stage four. go and be well. i send you all my love

[Sissyk]

111. I'm sorry to hear this, 11 Bravo.

You are in my thoughts. I'm sure you will get through it just fine. Keep your friends and family close as a positive support system.

[Bozita]

112. my best cancer beating vibes are now on the way

[pacalo]

114. I like your attitude, 11 Bravo!

Glad you caught it early. *phew*

As Pro Sense commented above, stay positive & stress-free. Attitude is everything, doctors say.

[JI7]

115. sounds like you will beat it

[Stinky The Clown]

116. For you, my friend:

Take can, man.

[mzmolly]

117. So very sorry Bravo.

Sending positive healing thoughts/prayers your way.

[ManiacJoe]

119. Best wishes with the surgery.

Love the fighting attitude!

[Marie Marie]

120. You WILL beat this, says this woman who is NEVER wrong.

You have to, we need you here!

[alfredo]

121. I hope it isn't too much of a bummer for you. Get well quickly

I'm watching some places on my skin, and have been for a few years.

[tavalon]

122. You'll have a bigger gouge than you think but hey, you probably lost more in the war.

Never, ever, go out into the sun again without protection although this is one of those fun things you most likely set up in Vietnam, most of us set up Melanoma when we are teenagers to young adults but don't get bit until much later.

I'm sure there are a few more tests to be done but let them cut it all off with big margins. What matters is not how you look but how you breath as in continuing to .

I'm with you. Good thoughts your way.

[Warren DeMontague]

123. Kick its ass.

Glad they caught it, glad you were keeping your eyes open for it. Good luck.

[Blecht]

124. I had a melanoma cut out of me three years ago

They're good at this sort of thing these days. Good luck to you.

[Not a Fan]

125. Melanoma

I'm so sorry - that's terrible news. I hope you have an easy time of it and are able to put this all behind you soon.

Medical studies show that cancer patients with higher blood serum levels of Vitamin D3 consistently have better outcomes. This includes melanoma patients. In fact it's known that melanoma patients probably have high enough levels and will do well.

Vitamin D3 and Cancer:
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/cancer/

Vitamin D and cancer: a review of molecular mechanisms.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22168439

Blinded by the Light
http://graemethomasonline.com/blinded-by-the-light/

[RedCappedBandit]

126. Best Wishes, 11 Bravo. Stay strong.

[Jasana]

128. I know I'm new here but...

I'm wishing you the best of luck 11 Bravo. You'll kick it's ass again.

[dballance]

129. I don't have any wisdom to impart. Just I wish you well.

I wish you well as do so many of your family and friends do. Rely upon them and accept help when you need it. Don't be ashamed to need help and ask for it. That whole idea that we should just "suck it up and deal with it" meme is so wrong.

Show your vulnerable side to the people who care for you and want to help you make it through this difficult time. Once you do then you will have the strength and courage to help others. Help the other people who don't wish to be seen as humanly defective or weak, and, therefore vulnerable. Help them get beyond that narcissism and help them get to the point where they can work on saving themselves and others.

Saving yourself will include times of being very selfish. That's okay. Don't chide or berate yourself for that.

I wish you well.

[eridani]

130. Glad to hear you caught it early.

[mgardener]

131. Wow.

I am so sorry you have to go through this.
Please let us know how you are doing.
We will be thinking of you.
I have had 9 basal cell skin cancers and I know at some point, I will be getting the same call.

[cate94]

132. Melanoma sucks.

Kick its ass!!!

[Chorophyll]

133. Kick its ass, 11 Bravo!

[a kennedy]

134. They call it the beast of cancer....

Prayers, and good vibes.

[Hubert Flottz]

135. Really sad to hear 11-B

Wishing you the best of luck with your recovery. You've got to keep on truckin and go on and lash out, if it makes you feel better. If it takes obnoxious let 'er rip, just get well with all alacrity.

With our friend 11 Bravo around,
DU's news has a much better sound,
So get well purdy quick,
It's no fun being sick,
May your good health in future abound.

[myrna minx]

136. Hang in there. We're pulling for you!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

138. Sending healing light and love, my friend.

To you, and your family.

[malthaussen]

139. Well, that sucks.

Just say "fuck it" and drive on.

-- Mal

[sinkingfeeling]

140. Good luck with your treatment!

[Recursion]

141. You show that melanoma who's boss, soldier!

It has no fucking idea what's about to hit it.

[joeybee12]

144. So sorry to hear that...here's good vibes coming your way

[rusty fender]

145. Fight on, Bravo, Fight on!

[Liberalynn]

146. Sending Positive Energy Thoughts your way.

Good luck.

[tblue]

147. You will be fine!

You caught it early! The silver lining is you will live and love a little more profoundly. I had a C scare recently too. It's made me see my life and family and even myself differently. to you, sweetheart. This is just a blip. Life goes on, only better.

[Rex]

148. Hang in there soldier.

You will prevail again. Of this I have no doubt.

[geardaddy]

149. ((((11 Bravo))))

[LiberalLoner]

150. ((((HUGS)))) Prayers sent your way, and I agree, you

are way too tough to be sick! You rock, 11 Bang-Bang! And you are going to get this surgery over with and keep on rockin'!

[Beacool]

151. Bummer!!!

It must be very tough to hear the "C" word again, but like you said, it's not overly invasive and you're tough. I'm sure that you will lick it once again.

I wish you the best of luck and I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Orsino]

152. Be whatever scares cancer's cowardly ass.

Best wishes to you and yours.

[murielm99]

153. We already have one immortal dude here --

MFM. Now we have two.

You are too tough to be sick. Fer sure.

[Moostache]

154. Best wishes for round two, keep up the attitude!

As a fellow one-time survivor, I know that the diagnosis is a serious gut punch. I am hoping to never hear it again in my lifetime, so I feel for you to have to go heads up with the disease again. Good luck and my thoughts are with you for your fight!

[calimary]

155. Yeah - just get it early! Glad you did.

Keep us posted, okay? 'Cause we're gonna worry.

[usregimechange]

156. Wishing you the best, with that attitude, cancer better watch the @$@# out!

[bottomofthehill]

157. This 91 foxtrot says kick it's ass

[TygrBright]

158. Stretch those ass-kickin' muscles, 11B... and ask for any help or support you need.

We gotcher back.

determinedly,
Bright

[Kadie]

159. (((hugs)))

sending positive vibes your way!

[Ikonoklast]

160. Dude.

A bottle of bourbon, a belt sander, and you'll be good to go.

Melanoma picked on the wrong guy to fuck with.

[closeupready]

162. From what I understand, if you catch it early (and sounds like you did),

the prognosis is really very good. It's when it goes on and on, unchecked, that you have to be concerned.

[Blue Owl]

163. Mop the floor with that miserable melanoma

n/t

[PlanetBev]

164. Been down that road, my dearest Bravo

You're going to be just fine. You sound much stronger than I did. Just the word Melanoma sent me in to a tailspin of non-stop terror. In December of 2005, I was diagnosed with what they nick-named "left-sided Melanoma". The sun beats in the driver's side of the car through the window and 37 years of driving in Los Angeles, I got nailed.

Went through two surgeries, one in the dermatologists office (insurance company assholes trying to save money) and then six weeks later in the hospital by a surgeon. They found cells too close to the margins after the first procedure, so they had to do it again. The onocolgy surgeon was pissed off because they didn't send me to him first. End up costing the insurance company much more $$ because they tried to take the easy way out. Serves 'em right.

Well, that was 7 years ago, and I'm doing great. Got me a nasy scar, but who cares? They caught it early and that's all that matters.

Sending you a big

Planetbev

[Aviation Pro]

165. Bro....

...I caught mine in 2006 and was staged at 3, fortunately, my derma doc got me to the best surgeon in Volusia county and he excised it and a couple of sentinel lymph nodes in time. I was days away from it invading me, but the team kick that motherfucker of a disease to the curb and I've remained C-free since then.

Fuck cancer and everything about it.

[WilliamPitt]

166. Fuck cancer.

Kick its ass.

[whistler162]

167. My uncle and aunt have had multiple rounds of melanoma removal

over the decades. Both teachers and both spent summers out doors at summer camp. Both are still going, fairly strong, at 83.

[IADEMO2004]

168. MF'N melanoma We have both beat it once. Wish you didn't have a rematch.

Mine was on my thigh 6 years ago. Best wishes.

[Ken Burch]

169. Fight on, my friend, we need you.