Melanoma Results

Hi Pebbles267117a1c 

Although I was diagnosed with melanoma my appointment for results was made before the results were back, so I would have seen the consultant whether my results were positive or negative.

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis and hope you’re doing ok 

Yes, everything's fine now thanks. My diagnosis was 9 years ago now but I can remember how unpleasant waiting for results is.

Hi there, how were your results? I am also in NI. I have my Wide Local Excision at the Ulster on Wednesday

Oh it’s nice to hear from someone in the same area!!! Has it taken long for you to get to this stage? 
the consultant rang me on Monday evening to say all my results went back yet and they want to wait until they have the full report, so appointment has been rescheduled to 23rd December 

I had my mole removed initially at Braid Valley in Ballymena on 19th August and I had my results on 24th September. I’m so sorry you’ve been waiting so long, it’s unbearable! I call it ‘scanxiety’. I am in the Northern Trust so the pathway may be different. My understanding is that once the pathology report is ready (there may be a backlog so that’s why you may have waited longer), then it has to be discussed at the multidisciplinary team meeting (which is once a week) before they then schedule an appointment to discuss your results. I was given my results by my CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) and haven’t seen a consultant yet so it sounds like the process is a bit different compared with the Belfast Trust. I won’t overwhelm you with the next part of the process because all being well, you won’t need it, but to answer your question - it’ll be 10 weeks to the day after my diagnosis that I will have my second surgery. I was expecting to wait another 3 weeks. Thinking of you and please do update us if you are able. If you feel able to, I would be pushing for them to give you your results sooner as I think that length of wait is unreasonable considering the enormity of the news and the proximity to Christmas. I have had to push harder for things and it feels uncomfortable to do so but we and our mental well-being matter. It is such a stressful and worrying time and you are not alone. H (39yo female)

H thank you so much for taking the time for such a lengthy reply. Hoping you get some good news after your second surgery. Can I ask where your mole was? 
yes it definitely sounds like it’s being handled a little differently due to a different trust, I’m glad you seem to have been looked after a lot quicker, I think the waiting is the worst part. I’m also female and also 38, very similar l. 

I so feel for you with the wait. It was unbearable for me and I couldn’t have managed much longer with the uncertainty. Do you feel able to push to hear sooner? My mole was on my neck behind my right ear. What about yours? I can’t believe we’re so close in age. Do you have children (if you don’t mind me asking?)

Oh I’ll be on the phone again on Monday to find out if all the results are back and as soon as they say yes I’ll be pushing for an earlier appointment, thankfully the secretary I’ve been chatting with has been really lovely. 

Mine was on my right leg, I first went for an appointment in July but they couldn’t remove it at that clinic as it was too big (6mm) so I went back in September to minor ops, ended up with 7 internal stitches and 7 external, which I thought was quite a lot. 

No I don’t have any children, you? 

have they gave you an indication of stage or if you’ll need anything further? Xx

Oh that’s great you have contact details for your consultant’s secretary. I just so hope you can receive your results sooner. You’ve already had to wait a long time between July and September for it to be removed. Had it started to change? How has the healing process been for you? I really hope you won’t need further surgery. 

Yes, I have children who are with me full time and my daughter has special needs. Life already felt like a struggle and this just feels like such a lot on top of everything. I am stage 3b with an ulcerated nodular melanoma with 2 micro satellites (nearby areas it had spread to) so it’s a high risk for recurrence. They’ll be offering me adjuvant treatment (immunotherapy) in January. 

if you feel able to, please do keep us updated x