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Bleu

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Bleu's Status Updates

"New health conditions have been added to my medical portfolio.. I am going blind in my left eye. Something to do with the membrane behind the eye. I thought my hearing loss was getting worse. Just found out my brain is not processing auditory words. Theeen! I get diagnosed with melanoma cancer. When does the fun stop?"

  1. Hi again, Bleu - my goodness! I am sorry to hear about these new diagnoses which you have candidly shared with us here. With all the conversations we've had with you, please know we will be here for support moving forward.
    Have you been advised of the details/specifics of the new diseases? Are they treatable in your case?
    Like you, I have received several new, and not such good, diagnoses myself over the past 4 years. For me, I have picked myself up, dusted myself off and am making my best efforts to tackle each one of them head on! I do rely heavily on my family and our combined experience managing illnesses over the many years. It's not easy, not easy at all - but I move ahead each day that I can.

    What are you thinking? Is there anything further you are able to share with us at this time?
    Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

  2. 69i57j0l3.7703j0j4&client What am I thinking? Hmmm... at times, I think I am glad it's me with these probs and not my baby sis. She has kids who could NOT do without her during times like this. I am also glad it is me out of my family who got this because I am strong enough to not "break" down to this plethora of horrible news.
    That being said, I am feeling very overwhelmed. I keep thinking "what god or deity did I piss off" for this.
    The eye situtation is going to be a watch and wait approach as it is too early for any treatment. The watch and wait is horrible as my vision is not good.
    My ear, not sure what's that all about. My ENT can only see me around Dec 6th. I don't even know if or when the other ear comes in to play. I was not given a diagnosis name yet. Just a verbal you're "brain is not processing correctly", is what I was told by audiologist, referring me back to my ENT.
    Now my Melanoma was cut out the same day I saw the Dermotologist. She took one look and I knew, just knew it was not good. She told me she could not let me leave without cutting it out. The wait to see her again would be too long. Plus, my thinking for better part of last 6-8 months that "it was just a mole on my leg" was worrisome to her. With my eyesight going in the shitter, I could not see it properly to appreciate the gravity. Pathology back. It's a Melanoma. I have to see a olastic surgeon to remove more skin in the area as a precaution. It was .53 millimeters deep. So in the good zone as far as Melanoma is concerned. Above a full millimeter depth, and chemo would have been in the picture. So, it is a toss up on being good news.
    I am circling the brim of hard times ahead depending what the next step to remove more skin brings me. If pathology detects cells in this extra cut out portion, it won't be good.
    So far, I know the things that are going wrong, but not, except melannoma, what can be done if anything.
    Been feeling sad and overwhelmed past 24 hours. Reality seems to be sinking in. I think I was in shock, as this all happened whithin last 2 weeks.
    I thought my asthma was bad, until this.
    Tks for your response Leon. It means a lot right now.

  3. Hi again, Bleu - it's my pleasure! Thank YOU for your continued candor with us here, we appreciate it! If communicating this with the community here is good for you, in terms of relief and some catharsis, well, keep sharing!
    The fact the melanoma was caught now and you will be getting whatever further treatment is necessary - that is good. You may be aware of a procedure known as the MOHS surgery, which sometimes is used to treat melanomas. Generally speaking, depending on the melanoma, this can be a successful procedure for many.
    As for the other diagnoses - it's understandable how nerve racking it can be to watch and wait. It sounds like it would be to your benefit for both the ophthalmologist and the ENT doctors to collaborate on your care. You should not be in the middle as the patient. Perhaps that can be suggested to the two of them. I do know when my (many) doctors confer, I wind up doing much better. Sadly, it does not always happen spontaneously and I, often times, have to become an even better self advocate in this situation. That generally works out, too!
    Warm regards,
    Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

  4. Hi Leon, MOH's as I understand it, is out of the question. But as I say, never say never! I heard something along the line of skin grafts in my stupor. However, I could be wrong and misunderstood. MOH'S would certainly be easier than excision. I had a friend who had MOH's on the side of his temple, driver's side temple. Lol He ended up losing quite a large "patch" after going to follow ups. It was neat in a sic kind of way.
    The suggestion to have my ENT and Ophtalmologist collaborate is one I was thinking about. If all this is caused by some neurological thing, my Neurosurgeon will be in the mix too. It was hinted at the radiation treatment I received might have caused microscopic scarring. To what extent, we keep finding out as we go. All the "side effects/complications" from the radiation treatment are rare things. I have been "a first" for many docs the past 2 yrs. (Pardon the pun).
    I am still coughing, but not the paroxismal coughing like before. Just enough to irritate my throat and superbly annoy me. But, all this extra stress, in my opinion, is keeping my asthma on the brink of a flare. I had to decrease my Symbicort due to recurring oral thrush.
    I am apprehensive on how all this news and treatments might play on my asthma. There has been a lot of self care in the past 7 days!
    I felt like I had neglected this community for the past 2 weeks. I needed to touch base. As well, the comorbidities poll was a welcome sight. Lol If you guys have any questions, ask away. If I have an answer, I will respond. Well, I will respond to let you know that I have no answer too. Right now, I am trying keep in contact with people instead of depressing out.

  5. Hi Bleu - thanks for giving some (new) consideration to the MOHS procedure. This is probably something you will at least want to mention to your physician. The two of you can determine how the melanoma will be treated moving forward.
    Naturally, we are pleased to have you re-engaging with the community. However, whenever it becomes necessary for your to focus on your own situation and care at home, that should be the path you follow.
    We are always here whenever you need to connect. I think you know you are always welcome in our online community. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let me or any other moderator / team member know.
    Warmest regards,
    Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

  6. Sending you a big hug, All of that is SO much to deal with and I'm glad we can be here for you to listen and hopefully make you feel a little lighter. Feel free to post here as much or as little as you'd like. We will always be glad to have you even if you just stop in sometimes to say hello.

    Re: the melanoma, you may be interested in knowing we have a sister site, www.SkinCancer.net, for people facing similar concerns and diagnoses. They may be a great source of support and wisdom as you try to figure out next steps. Up to you, of course. Just know there are lots of people to share the load with. We've all got your back! -Melissa, asthma.net team