Waiting

Hi  and welcome to the melanoma group

I had a WLE and SLNB a couple of years ago but thankfully only had to wait two weeks for the results. I didn't have a CT scan as well though so it may be that which is holding up your husband's results.

Unfortunately, length of time to get results is no indication of whether they're good or not. It's usually down to how busy the pathology laboratories are or how busy the people who look at the scans are.

It's normal to have "what if" moments and we've all been there. I think the trick is to try and allow the worries only a short time in your thoughts as they won't change the future but will ruin the present.

Do come back and ask any questions you want as we have a vast amount of experience with melanoma in this group. Also make sure to tell us how your husband gets on.

Sending a supportive (((hug)))

Hi , thank you for your reply latchbrook it is very much appreciated (so is the hug :) )  . 

I rang the skin specialist nurses this morning to see if there was any indication of results being back and any appointments coming up.She didn’t know but said she would see if she could find out and ring us back. 

She rang back about an hour later, she said results weren’t showing but hubby's case was due to be discussed on Thursday at the MDT meeting and we now have an appointment with a skin specialist nurse on Friday next week. Hopefully we will have some answers then and can move on from the “what if” stage to “what’s next” . 

That's good news that your husband has a date to meet his SCNS and get his results .

I know next Friday will seem a long way off at the moment but it gives you a chance to write down the questions you might want to ask her, depending on what the results are. Of course the results could be that no further melanoma has been found and he's now just on three monthly check-ups, as mine was when I went back for results following a WLE and SLNB.

Let me know how he gets on and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for him.

So we’ve got to Friday, the nerves are kicking in a bit as we wait for transport to go to hubby’s appointment. Hoping for the best but not even sure if the results are in yet. Fingers crossed things go ok..will update later x

Well the results were in ..2 nodes removed during SLNB 1 out of the 2 showed microscopic traces of melanoma but the other was clear. CT scan was “unremarkable” so hubby is stage 3c but all melanoma has been removed . Another mole removed during the WLE was benign. 

Appointment to follow to discuss adjuvant therapy /possible immunotherapy but due to hubby’s existing health conditions this may not be advised , so possibly 3 monthly skin checks with 6 monthly CT scans will be the way forward. We are relieved the wait is over and that the treatment he has already had has removed the melanoma ...and hopefully that will be that  . 

Hi

I'm sorry to hear that the results weren't what we'd all hoped for

There are people in this group who are Stage 3 and currently on treatment so I'm sure they'll be able to answer any questions you might have thought of overnight.

Let us know when your husband has his next appointment through and I'm sending you a virtual ((hug))

Thank you Latchbrook, we are actually feeling quite positive about the results we got. Although it would have been better to have had the news that all the tests were clear, given the original melanoma was pT4b I think it’s probably the best we could have got. The SCSN was lovely and as we were last appointment spent quite a long time with us. The therapies which may be suitable could be the sticking point as he has 2 auto immune  issues already but I’m sure the oncologist will explain things in more detail when we see her. 

I will be doing further reading and searching  for members who are having the available treatments but we are having a quiet few days of relaxing. The nurse has assured us that, for now, he is free of melanoma ..who knows where the future will take us but whatever it throws at us we will deal with as it comes. 

Thank you for the hug, hugs are always appreciated . Gentle hugs to all who may need them, hope everyone has a lovely weekend x

Hi Soulmate33

My dad was diagnosed with skin cancer stage 4 in January 2016. At that time it had not spread to any other parts of his body. In January 2019 we found that it had progressed to lungs, adrenal glands and there were nodules in the brain.  We were told that chemotherapy was not an option. But his case would be put in front of a multidisciplinary panel to see if he would be eligible for immune therapy. I am pleased to confirm that he was accepted by the Beatson. He had been on treatment since 1st April every 4 weeks. So far all scan have showed that tumours are shrinking, the nodules in the brain have disappeared. The staff at the Beatson are fantastic, caring and interested. We have our fingers crossed for the future, my dad is 83 and doing well on his treatment, with few side effects ( a severe itch). Hope this gives other families bhope.

Thank you for your reply ...I’m sorry to hear the news your dad has metastasis but good news the tumours are shrinking with immunotherapy. 

My hubby also has multiple sclerosis which may (or may not) have an influence on his suitability for immunotherapy but we remain positive that, for now at least, the melanoma has been removed and he is in reasonable health at the moment (apart from the ms and several other issues ) We take each day as it comes anyway as hubby had bad days and better days (I hesitate to say “good” days because every day is a challenge for him) 

Enjoy all the time you have with your dad and I hope and pray that the treatment continues to help him live a full and happy life x