cancer: watch out, it's unruly

Been dealing with a few rough and unexpected weeks. In the middle of April, my dermatologist referred me to a surgical oncologist when two tumors she biopsied turned out to be malignant melanoma. My oncologist decided she wanted to remove 4 additional spots and have them evaluated. 

So last Monday I had two softball sized excisions and 4 golfball sized sections of skin removed at Butterworth Hospital. Two days later I was told that all 4 additional spots came back as cancerous too. So now I need another surgery where they softball size cut the old golfball scars, taking away any other cancer and a sizable margin of healthy skin. 

Unfortunately, the test results also show that the cancer is aggressive and growing fast and kind of wild so during the next surgery they are "softballing" ( my technical term)  two more sections of skin because they have spots that look awfully similar to, and as unusual as, the other cancerous tumors. That surgery was supposed to be this coming Monday but as of today, all of my current scars are painful and oozing and infected so I've started a round of antibiotics and am taking medication for the pain for 10 days until it's safe for the dr to cut into me again. 

Therefore my next surgery, which will result in 6 additional softball sized scars, will be Thursday, May 29. Three of the excisions will be on my right shoulder/midback area, two will be on my left side and one on my right. They warn me that it will continue to be impossible to use my right arm and very difficult to find a comfortable position. :(

I've also had blood work, EKGs, pathology reports, a mammogram and tomorrow is a full body CT scan- We want to be positive that no cancer had spread into other organs. 

I covet your love and support, your comments, questions and suggestions. The last thing my dr said to me today is that I have many surgeries in my future and a long road ahead.

Sounds pretty painful, lonely and daunting. I'm going to have to do something about that! Calling all cheerleaders!!