Hi, I’m new to the group and looking for someone to talk to.
i had a mole removed on 18th sep via excision biopsy. I was told by the Dr that she usually writes out with results or if there is anything to discuss she will ring and I will come in to discuss. Today I received a letter asking me to go to the hospital Thursday this week so just two weeks after excision. I am really concerned they this means I have melanoma. I have two young children and the waiting stage is making me feel sick.
am I right in thinking if there was nothing to worry about I would just receive a letter confirming? So the fact that I have been called back means it is something much worse?
thank ypu
Hi Hapywife and a warm welcome to the online community
Waiting for results is probably the worst stage for most people but you're lucky in that you only have a couple more days to go.
You said in your message that you would get a call to go in for your results if there is anything to discuss and this looks like what this appointment is for. Unfortunately, there's no way for us to know if this means bad news or not as different hospitals have different protocols for giving out results. Sometimes you're asked to go in even if the news is good so that your wound can be checked.
I realise that this doesn't really answer your question but I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you on Thursday.
Do come back and let us know how you get on and, even if it's bad news, there's plenty of people in the group who will support you. I was diagnosed with melanoma nearly 3 years ago and I'm back doing everything I used to do, except for sitting in the sun!
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Results usually take between 2-6 weeks to come back depending on how busy the pathology laboratories are. Mine took 6 weeks but it looks like your's are already back. I think that it would be better to know now than possibly have another 4 weeks of sleepless nights 
I know it's pointless telling you to try not to worry because we all do. However, you need to find some way that works for you of limiting the amount of time you spend worrying as it's exhausting and will in itself make you ill. Some people clean the house from top to bottom, others practice mindfulness while I immersed myself in my hobbies.
Do you have someone who can go with you to your appointment on Thursday? If it turns out to be melanoma then it would be useful to have a second pair of ears as there'll be quite a lot of information to take in. You might also want to think about questions you might want to ask. I'd recommend that you write them down in a notepad and take it with you because I can guarantee that you won't remember them when you get there. Also make sure that you write the answers down and if the consultant tells you something that you don't understand just ask them to explain it again and don't leave until you feel you know everything that you want to.
Hopefully, everything is okay and you won't need to be asking questions but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
That's good that your husband's going with you.Try not to fixate on how soon you've been called back Hapywife as that has no bearing on whether you have melanoma or not. It just means your results are back.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
All the best for today Hapywife. Do come back and let me know how you got on.
Sending a supportive ((hug))
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Hapywife
I'm sorry to hear that it turned out to be melanoma but it's good that it's "very early stage".
The further skin removal you mention is called a wide local excision (WLE) and will be done under a local anaesthetic like your original excision. The plastic surgeon will take away a margin of between 1-2cm all around the original site to make sure that no stray cells remain. This will be sent off to be biopsied, just like your original excision, and you'll get the results a few weeks later.
As you haven't mentioned having a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) I presume that your melanoma is less than 0.8mm deep as SLNBs are usually only offered to those whose melanoma is deeper than this. If this is the case you'll have 3 or 6 monthly check-ups for a year afterwards with your dermatologist.
Hopefully your dermatologist has explained how to do monthly skin and lymph node checks and given you advise on how to be safe in the sun. If not pop back here and I'll happily oblige!
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
