SLNB Decision

LB78 5 months ago

5 replies
58 subscribers
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Hi, I was wondering if there might be a way that I can see who in the forum decided against having a SLNB when having a WLE? I’m going through the process of making my own decision at the moment and I think it would help to know how others felt about it. I know it’s a personal decision but if there’s something I haven’t considered or information I have missed it would be really good to hear about it.

thanks so much to anyone who can share their decision making process with me.

latchbrook 5 months ago

Hi LB78

I had the SLNB at the same time as my WLE.

I replied to your previous post with my reasoning but will also add here that it was because I didn't want to worry if the melanoma came back in the future that I could have known sooner if I'd had a SLNB.

All the best with your decision making.

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

LB78 5 months ago in reply to latchbrook

Thankyou for replying again.

i have now decided to go ahead with the SLNB. I know that I would be constantly worried about something being there if I don’t take this opportunity to check.

latchbrook 5 months ago in reply to LB78

I know that the big worry is lymphoedema but I've had 2 SLNBs, one for melanoma and one for breast cancer and a total of 3 SLNs removed. Touchwood, I've never suffered with lymphoedema.

The main thing to be careful about is to never use the arm on the side that the lymph nodes were removed for blood tests, blood pressure checks, injections, etc.

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

SilverAspen 5 months ago

I have just been diagnosed with Stage 1b melanoma and I feel traumatised, as the dermatologist my was convinced that i had a basal cell carcinoma.
I’m seeing a Consultant on Thursday and I’ve thought this decision through very carefully. I’m not looking forward to any aspect of the procedure (scan, general anaesthetic etc), but i do want to know whether it has spread. At least then i can take further action, although immunotherapy sounds scary too! However, I think that not knowing would be worse. I would forever be wondering whether the cancer was spreading and 3 monthly monitoring may only pick up symptoms when they’re well advanced.

I plan to agree to the procedure.

Good luck with your treatment. I hope you have a good outcome.

LB78 4 months ago in reply to SilverAspen

Hi, thanks so much for replying.

It’s all quite overwhelming isn’t it and a lot to handle emotionally.

i feel the same as you that id rather know as soon as possible if there’s any spread and at least then it can hopefully be treated quickly.

this has all been quite scary and a steep learning curve. I’m trying to stay away from google as it really doesn’t help a lot of the time.

im so glad to have found this forum, its really helped me to connect with others and be able to ask questions and be open about how I’m feeling.

i wish you all the best with your treatment over the next few weeks and hope we will both be able to put the experience behind us very soon.

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