My Melanoma Story

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Hi everyone,

I first discovered something was wrong when one day after a shower I noticed blood on the towel, thinking to myself where it had come from so I had a look in the mirror and noticed 2 nodules on my upper back. They looked like skin tags but after further examination decided it was best to take myself to A&E. I was seen rather quickly by a nurse and she told me that I would need to see a Dermatologist in about 2 weeks. She also took a photograph of the lesions. I then get an appointment in August at Shoreham Southland's Hospital, I was seen by the Dermatologist and he said that they looked like a Merkel Cell Tumor, he arranged for me to come back in a fortnight and have them removed. In September 2022 I went to hospital to have my small operation because the area was so raw the injections to numb the area were painful and took longer to take effect. The nodules were removed and they would be sent for a biopsy. After about 3 weeks I get a letter to attend the hospital I was seen by the same Dermatologist and he told me that the lumps were a Melanoma, a Macmillan nurse was in the room as well so new something was up. He also said that I would need further intervention as it was quite deep and thick. He recommended that I have a wide excision surgery with a sentinel lymph node biopsy, but told me this would not be at a local hospital. My next appointment was at St George's Hospital in London with the plastics team we had a long chat and a small examination to see if there were any other signs of melanoma spreading. He arranged for me to have some scans these included a CT scan and MRI. In a couple of weeks time I get a phone call to say that a couple of lumps nodules were found and that they would need investigating. The nodule on my liver came back as nothing serious but the nodule on my back was abnormal so I would need a FNA and a biopsy. The biopsy came back clear so my main operation can now be done. A appointment was made for me to have the operation on the 3rd January 2023 I was admitted on the 2nd as I have type 2 diabetes and would need to be on a drip before they could operate. Operation went well but because of the diabetes and other problems I spent 3 days in hospital.

I came hom on the 4th January. On the 16th February I went back to St George's Hospital to get the dressing changed and to make sure that I had no infection. I told the nurse that I had a pain on my shoulder and I also had a stabbing pain underneath my left armpit, she sounded not too concerned and arranged for me to get my stitches removed at my local doctor's surgery on the 24th February. The nurse that took out my stitches discovered that I had an infection so I was put on a course of antibiotics for seven days. I also got my appointment back from St George's Hospital to get my results the biopsy on the Lymph Node came back clear so I was happy about that, she told me that I would need to have regular scans and checkups for the next 3 years to make sure that the melanoma does not return. She also asked me was there anything else that I was worried about and told her about the lumps that had appeared. She had a feel and decided for me to get an ultrasound scan that afternoon. It was confirmed that there were 2 lumps, and these would be looked at by the team. A few days went by and I then get a phone call from the plastics team saying that 1 of the lumps was showing some abnormal characteristics and that I would need a biopsy to see what it is. I waited about 2 weeks for the results I then get a phone call to say the team had a meeting about me and I would need to see them. I asked the lady on the phone what it was and she told me that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. I have another CT scan booked for the same day as my appointment with the plastics team on the 31st March. I am really worried now as I don't know what is going to happen.

  • Hi.  I was due to have awide local excision but after my CT scan something was spotted in my armpit and I had to have an ultrasound biopsy. This delayed my operation. Result came back that a lymph node proved positive.  On the 30th March I am now having all the lymph nodes taken out in right armpit and a WLE to the original melonoma, also to right arm.  I started doing lots of research, big mistake, as every bit of advice etc., contradicted someone else.  Now going with the flow.  I should find out in about 2 weeks time the outcome of my op, then it will be oncology.  Try not to worry, easy to say, and take each day as it comes with a positive attitude. Good luck. 

  • Hi Dragonlady70, 

    since I’ve joined I’ve realised there are so many differences in this weird and wonderful world of Macmillan.

    my consultant said to me a long time ago, read things with an open mind, you will never get 2 people with the same symptoms and diagnosis. Might be only slight differences but never the same.

    I’ve  read some right horror stories but my own story would be frightening to some but an easy read for others.

    like you said, an open mind and be positive is the way forward. 

  • Hi,

    sorry to hear of your worries, we all know it’s easy to say “don’t worry” but it’s the only way to stop giving you stress, tension and headaches. Stay strong, try and do things that make you happy. Coffee/tea and cake days out. It’s hard to do if you’re not that way motivated but believe me I was highly strung but learnt to be more positive with all the problems I’ve had in the last 3 years. Be good, be safe my friend. 

  • Hi. So agree with your comments. 

  • Hi. Thanks for your comments. Definitely enjoying coffee and cake! 

  • Hi MikeJ, I hope your appointment went ok and that the doctors have explained what happens next to you.  I'm sorry to hear that in the end some of your lymph nodes had traces of the melanoma.  This usually means you will need adjuvant treatment which is exactly what I had.  I had one year on IV immunotherapy (Pembro).  It involved having regular bloods done pre each treatment, then visiting my local county hospital 's chemo unit where I was given the half hour infusion with saline before and after the main drug. Luckily I had very few side effects and the staff in the unit were great. Plenty of tea/coffee/:water and lunchtime free sandwich if the time was right. We also could enjoy the relaxation of reflexology as it had been set up some years ago by one lovely lady- free of charge.  

    Take care x

  • Hi everyone,

    Thank you all for your nice and positive comments. I had a quick chat yesterday with the plastics team and they explained to me what will happen if the MRI scan of my head and a CT scan on the rest of my body come back clear and that the melanoma has not spread to other places then I will have an operation to remove all lymph nodes from under my arm. If the results are not good then I will not be having the operation and will be seen by the oncologist team to discuss further treatment.