A new AgeUK footcare lady I hadn't met before found a mole between my toes, which by the size, shape & colour I identified as a melanoma. Well I'm 76 & registered disabled & haven't had hand to feet access for 30 years so I've no idea how long it had been there. Then I examined the raised skin on my tummy, leg & arm & realised they too looked like melanomas, which I'd naively assumed were just dry skin due to ageing.. Well I haven't looked in a mirror for 25 years, since I split up with my ex, so I was absolutedly devastated to find another half dozen big beetroot coloured moles on my chest & midriff. So I thought I'd pluck up courage to see the GP tomorrow but if it's eventually offered I just can't face the thought of chemotherapy on a Zimmer frame!
Out of choice I live alone, don't have any living relatives & at the moment I feel extremely sorry for myself, am wallowing in self-pity, & feel tearful at the most stupid things on television. Three cheers for a Kindle! And watching Judge Judy! In between the loo, & 3 meals a day while watching wildlife on channel 91, all I can do is lie in bed reading undercover cops autobiographies which takes my mind off reality for an hour at a time thank goodness. Oh & I've suddenly found a renewed enthusiasm for murdering Vivaldi on my sopranino & descant recorders - poor neighbours aye - so I need to remember that I suppose.
Like the song says, "...laughing or weeping the world goes on...." & this time tomorrow I might've bucked up a bit.
All the best to anyone going through anything similar.
Hi aidememoire and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and I was diagnosed with melanoma nearly 9 years ago now.
The online community is divided into different support groups so I'm going to recommend that you join us over in the melanoma group which is a great place to ask questions, share experiences and get support.
To join, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
Chemotherapy is rarely used as a treatment for melanoma. If after the excisional biopsy is performed on your moles it is found that you have melanoma, then for most people the only other treatment that's needed is a larger excision all around the original biopsy site to make sure that no stray cells have been left behind.
Depending on how deep the melanoma is you'll then have check-ups for between 1-5 years where a dermatologist will inspect your skin.
Try not to dwell on the thought that these moles you're concerned about are melanoma as it's impossible to tell by just looking. I've had 2 moles removed, the first the dermatologist thought wasn't a melanoma and it was and the second one the dermatologist thought might be a melanoma and it wasn't!
All the best for your appointment tomorrow.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi aidememoire and thanks very much for your kind words. Yes I'm doing well thanks, although I've had another primary cancer to deal with since my melanoma.
The moles that you're concerned about will only be removed if the dermatologist thinks they might be a problem. I'm covered in moles but have only had the two removed.
Tomorrow your GP will examine you and refer you to a dermatologist if he/she is concerned about any of the moles they see. This referral period is often called the 'two week wait', as that was how soon the NHS aimed to see you from referral but that's been replaced by the 28 day faster Diagnosis Standard in England.
Do let me know how you get on tomorrow.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi aidememoire
That's the best news possible! I hope you're having a little celebration.
There's no need to apologise as supporting each other is what this community is all about.
Anne
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
