In October 2019 I noticed that one of my moles on the back of my right shoulder was sore...was seen by the doctor the following week and was told I had a traumatised mole...it wouldn’t stop bleeding but I asked for a referral. Referee to dermatology who saw me about 6 weeks later. Again I was told a traumatised mole and that they would shave biopsy it... didn’t get the shave biopsy until 18th December and then on the 30th December, I got a call asking me to go to the hospital that day as soon as I could get there so I knew it wasn’t going to be great news. So, once I arrived, I was told it was at least stage 2 and he was going to excise it there and then, which he did & I was relieved he did. I was then placed under the skin cancer multidisciplinary team whom I didn’t see until February...I was then told the tumour has a Breslow thickness of in excess of 4mm and was extremely ulcerated. They advised a wide local excision sentinel node biopsy which eventually happened at the Royal Free on 4th March 2020. Due to lockdown, I waited until 16th April for my results which I received in a quick phone call that morning. Unfortunately it had spread to the 1st node and I would be referred to an . Being 44 and on my own with 2 small boys(6&8), so this was a really difficult time, especially as no treatment was happening. Thankfully, I started immunotherapy on the 4th June and have the 5th of 9 cycles this Thursday. I’ve recently had another excision on the front of the other should. Stitches out Thursday morning and just waiting for the biopsy results. So currently stage 3C and feeling fairly positive. Was a complete wreck from last December until May, when I eventually saw the oncologist, even though that was on zoom. The nurses have been fantastic and I am blessed to have great friends but I do often feel very very tired and I’ve had a fair few side effects to the immunotherapy. All manageable though so can’t complain.
just thought I would share my story as I know the beginning can be terrifying and emotional & daunting. I have a brain scan and full body scan every 12 weeks and a full skin check every 12 weeks. Blood tests every 3 weeks and treatment every 6 week.
And that’s it...just getting through it all day by day but happy to talk if anyone is at the beginning of something similar xx
Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community
I was diagnosed with melanoma almost 4 years ago now so completely understand the rollercoaster journey you've been on.
I can see that you've already found and joined the melanoma group and it would be great if you shared your story by copying and pasting your message from here into a new post there. If you'd like to do that then clicking on the link I've created will take you directly to the group.
When you have a minute it would be really useful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
I'll watch out for you in the group
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
