Shocked to have suspected Melanoma

Hi Graham and a very warm welcome to the online community

I don't think there's a person in this group who won't identify with the worry you're feeling waiting to be seen by a consultant. The trick is to find some form of distraction or to only allow yourself to think about it for a set amount each day, say 10 minutes.

We all have different ways of distracting ourselves and you need to find one that works best for you. I'd normally say things like meet up with friends or indulge in your hobbies but I realise that's not quite as easy at the moment with social distancing. However, you can still make yourself a cup of coffee or grab a beer and sit down to talk to friends via Skype, Facetime, etc.

Lots of people use mindfulness apps and clicking here will take you to the NHS page on mental health apps with links to ones they recommend, some of which are free. You might also benefit from looking at this information on how to ease your worry when waiting for tests and results. 

Finding a way of coping now will stand you in good stead because if the consultant wants to remove your lesion then you'll be first waiting for surgery and then waiting for results. You could have another couple of weeks waiting for surgery with the results normally taking anywhere between 4-6 weeks to come back depending on how busy the pathology labs are.

Having been diagnosed with melanoma over 3 years ago I'm now passed the point of waiting for diagnosis but I still see someone every 3 months for check-ups. I'm not saying that I never worry that the melanoma might come back or that they might find something at my check-up but I've learnt to enjoy the now and not worry about something that might never happen.

Do come back and let me know how your consultation goes

x

Hi Graham

I'm just getting in touch to see how you are and to see if you've had your appointment with dermatology yet. If you've been, how did you get on?

x

Hello again and thank you so much for getting back in touch with me.

Before I go any further, I hope all is well with you, and that you are managing to stay safe during this dreadful and frightening epidemic.

i am so sorry that I didn’t get back to update you following my original post, but I think my life was in something of a ‘whirl’ following my referral and I think I subsequently lost my way a little bit in keeping up with everything I should have.

I have now had my appointment, and the results were as follows:

For the mole on my upper back, the doctor diagnosed this as ‘mild acitinic keratosis’, which I have been told is non-cancerous, and for which I have been prescribed a cream called Efudix which, I have been told, should sort the problem out in two or three weeks.

For the mole on my lower back, the diagnosis was a ‘benign naevus’, for which no treatment is required.

Thank you again for thinking about me. You are a good person, and I am so very grateful for the help,you have given me during this worrying and frightening time.

Kind regards as ever

Graham 

Oh, that's great news Graham! I hope you've had a little celebration, albeit at home 

I'm very well, thanks for asking. I get out for an hours walk most days and seem to find something to keep me occupied for the rest of the time. Had a go at making iced buns today as I've bought a bread maker. My husband has given them the thumbs up so I think I'll be making them again

Look after yourself

x

Hello again,

Thank you for your kind words.

I’m planning to look after myself by increasing my running this week. It’s not that long ago that I was regularly running around the 5K mark a few days a week, so I’ve set myself a goal of getting back to that. 

The buns sound really nice, and make sure you tuck a few away tonight with, perhaps, a glass of wine? 

You take care of yourself, too, and stay well.

Regards

Graham 

Ooh... iced buns and a glass of wine. Now that sounds like a winning combination.

x