Melanoma surgical update ... [View all]

[11 Bravo]

It really feels pretty self-absorbed to be posting this, but I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of good wishes and requests for updates I received since I first mentioned my diagnosis. After all of that, it would have seemed like kind of a dick move not to do this. So ... here we go: I had my surgery this afternoon, and while the melanoma was not in situ, it was only .5 mm deep, so that makes it a Stage 1. The doc took a chunk out of my back big enough to throw on the grill, but he seems relatively certain that by taking so much tissue the margins will come back clear, and that will be the end of it. He puts my survivability at 98% for 2 years, and 93% for 5 years. HELL, compared to other situations I've found myself in over the years, that almost qualifies as a sure thing!

Again, I know it sounds trite, but this place really is like a second family; and I am deeply appreciative for the support of my DU "relatives".