I’ve recently been diagnosed with stage 1b, awaiting WLE and SLNB, how do people manage and process the uncertainty and potential unknowns of what may come in the future?
Hi Andy1983d502ab and a very warm welcome to the group which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I was diagnosed with stage 2a melanoma 9 years ago and, like you, had a WLE and SLNB.
I don't think I consciously processed or managed my diagnosis more I just adapted my day to day living to accommodate it. I wasn't going to have a cancer diagnosis change who I was or what I did, except for being safe in the sun, and I try to live in the present rather than worry about something that might never happen. I'm not saying that this instantly happened, but evolved over time as I got further away from the initial diagnosis.
I think that one day I suddenly realised that melanoma was no longer the first thing on my mind when I woke up and the last thing I thought about before I fell asleep. It might not feel like it now but I'm sure you'll get there too.
When you have a minute, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. 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.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Andy,
I have to give you credit for reaching out to this forum as early as you have, I wish I had at the time but didn’t have the courage and had a real bad time dealing with it all.
I had exactly the same, Stage 1b. It was on my leg, and I was referred to a plastic surgeon on my diagnosis (after it had already been removed). I really struggled with all of this. In the past I often “googled” health stuff but purposely didn’t for this so my head just filled itself with all sorts. I should have asked for more support, or information, or importantly just reached out to this forum as you have. I have ginger hair and fair skin, enough said,
I had a wide excision via the plastic surgery team, something my wife and I now call my “shark bite” on my leg. And maybe this answers your question slightly, I have become strangely proud of my shark bite. It’s the physical measure of what I have been through and I have no issue showing anyone as a reminder to stay safe in the sun. But it took me a long time to get there (I am four years in).
After my wider surgery I settled into the 3 monthly visits to my MacMillan supported nurse for ongoing checks of my scar, my lymph nodes, and my skin (whole body). I cannot tell you what these visits meant, and it was only then that I started to process it all and settle into the way of life post surgery. My nurse is amazing and has been consistent to me for three years. Earlier this year she uncovered something new, it was Basel cell carcinoma and I had it removed thanks to her work.
So in short, the NHS are amazing, MacMillan working along side them are also amazing, and fingers crossed you will get all the support you need along the way.
The very best of wishes to you, stay in touch and speak up at any time 
