WLE

Hi 195600qdg

How is your daughter now that a couple of weeks have gone by from her having a WLE and SLNB?

Yes, 2cm is perfectly normal for a WLE. That was the size I had. Whether your daughter had a 1cm or 2cm WLE depends on how deep her melanoma was. As you'll see from this treatment information from NICE it's recommended to have a WLE of 2cm for melanomas that are Stage 2 so I presume that is your daughter's stage.

I hope this helps and that your daughter is recovering well.

x

Thank you so much. As it’s on her face I was worried that it was 2cm. It seems a lot. I have been in shock about it all. Also removed part of ear lobe as it was in such an awkward place.  Thank you so much again and I hope you are keeping well x

Yes, I'm well 195600qdg and thanks for asking. Had my normal 3 monthly checkup last Wednesday and nothing untoward was found. I always feel a little stressed leading up to them and a tremendous sense of relief when they say everything's fine!

The guidelines for how much to remove in a WLE are the same irrespective of whereabouts on the body the melanoma was. I was lucky that mine was on my arem so there was enough skin to be able to close the wound without having to do a skin graft. When is your daughter due to get the results of her WLE and SLNB?

Your feelings of shock at your daughter's cancer diagnosis are perfectly normal. I wonder if you might also benefit from joining the family and friends group where you can discuss your feelings openly with others who understand what it's like when a family member is diagnosed with cancer. If you'd like to join just click on the link I've created and then choose 'join this group' on the page that opens. 

When you have a minute it would be really useful if could pop something about your daughter's journey so far into your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit 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.

x

Thank you so so much. You have been the most helpful and reassuring person by far. This journey has been a nightmare- not just for the obvious reasons but all the total mess ups - losing notes, not being able to access other Trusts systems (been seen by 3 different counties) procedures cancelled and talking to staff who think they are talking to someone completely different, wrong name address and dob. Even letters sent to wrong address.  You are the only sane calm person I can talk to. I’d hug you if you were close by.  X

That's such a lovely thing to say 195600qdg and I really do appreciate it. I'm not sure my husband would agree with the sane bit though!

Although I didn't have the same problems as your daughter I do know how idiotic it seems that different hospital trusts can't talk to each other. My excision was done in one county but I had to go to another for the WLE and SLNB as, at that time, the first hospital didn't have the equipment to be able to do it. When I went for my pre-op I had to give them all my details again as they couldn't access my records from the first hospital as they were under a different trust.

You can give me a virtual ((hug)) if you like 

x

Thank you. You’re wonderful x

I'm blushing now 

x

Hi 195600qdg

How are you? I'm just checking in to see if your daughter has had the results from her WLE and SLNB yet and to find out how she's doing.

x

 Thank you so much for asking.  The preliminary ones are clear. None round the skin or initially round the node. Getting full results in 2 weeks but we are very hopeful and grateful for that news at least.  The wound got infected but skin graft took. She had to keep going back to get the infection cleaned and went on anti biotics.  They’ve offered to re construct her ear later down the line.  I know it’s not 100% certain yet but that’s the best news we could have hoped for so far. 

Thank you you so much again for thinking of  us. I hope you are keeping well xx

That's great news 195600qdg! Do come back and let us know her full results.

x