3a melanoma

Hi there is your appointment in Belfast ? 

Yes it will be

I was there last week with my husband for first appointment if I can help you in anyway with questions 

Thank you. Do you mind me asking what stage your husband is and what treatment they are offering? I had to go private to get the SLNB and the consultant is recommending Nivalumab but I'm now moving back to the NHS and I'm worried they won't offer me any as it was a small deposit in the lymph node. The NHS wouldn't do the SLNB for me even though it was recommended for my original stage of 1B.

Did it take long to get the appointment with the oncologist? The waiting is the worst

Hello Clayoh,

I know this post is from 2 years ago, but wondering how is everything for you since then?

Did you had treatment in the end?

I has something similar, a 1B stage, with 0.2mm of active cells in one lymph node.

However for me they told me I won't have treatment, just surveilance every 4 months with ultrasound.

Curious how you are doing.

Thanks

A

Hey!

So with really small deposits in the lymph node there is still a lot of debate whether to get treatment or just monitor and observe. I have a feeling I had found some research saying advisable over 0.3mm and above. So I was adamant I was having the treatment . I had the SLNB in ROI and they told me if I was being treated in Ireland i would definitely get treatment, however as I was based in NI they very much said it was up to me. Had 6 sessions of immunotherapy which initially was OK but then ended up in hospital quite ill twice with Colitis. I was then on steroids for 7 months just finished in Feb this year. Finally 2 years later I have turned the corner. Who knows if my scans without treatment would still be all clear but I have to say I was quite unlucky with the side effects. I wish you well! 

Where did you go private for SNLB as I’m 1B but ulster hospital said I don’t qualify for this test as not stage 2C or above. I’m constantly checking my nodes as I have to do a monthly skin check then I see the hospital every 3 months. Thanks Kelly 

Hiya! I went to Dublin.. It's awful that you were not offered that I thought this had changed! I'm almost sure that it needs to be done at the same time as the wide excision though. It's positive though that you have had your WLE almost a year and no recurrence. Sounds like yours was in the exact same place as mine top of my foot just beside ankle joint. The Ulster were wanting to do the skin graft on me under local anesthetic which sounded horrific to me!. Hope you continue to be well :) 

Hi to be honest it was a bit daunting wide awake and 2 parts of my body being worked on but thankfully got clear margins. Good luck in your journey