Melanoma diagnosis today.... feel sick

Hi  and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm very sorry to read that you've today been told that a mole you had removed was melanoma. I can remember only too well how numb and shocked I felt when I was told I had malignant melanoma over 3 years ago now.

It sounds like this diagnosis has come at a very difficult time for you so it's understandable how shocked and emotional you feel right now.

I'm afraid that melanoma is a form of skin cancer and if you want to read more about it then please click on this link. From my own personal experience I'd recommend that you don't google 'melanoma' but read the information on this site or Cancer Research if you want to find out more. Information out on the internet is generally very out of date and there are loads of people in this group whose brains you can pick if you want to ask any questions.

On the plus side, if you're Stage 1 then it has probably been caught very early. For most people the operation that your consultant has mentioned, called a wide local excision (WLE), is all the follow up treatment you'll need. I have had this operation so I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Most are done under a local anaesthetic and just take away a further area around the original excision site to make sure that no stray cells have been left behind.

The stages are further divided into a and b. If you're Stage 1A you'll probably have check-ups every 3/6 months for a year. If your Stage 1B then you'll have 3 monthly check-ups for 3 years followed by 6 monthly check-ups for 2 years. I was Stage 2A and have just come to the end of my first 3 years of check-ups.

This is a scary time but there are plenty of people in the group who will give you support. No question is too stupid to ask and, if you just feel like a rant, that's okay too.

Sending a supportive (((hug)))

Thank you so much for your reply. I don’t think I’ll get too much sleep tonight worrying about this and my mum in hospital xx

I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry too much about your diagnosis. As my skin cancer nurse specialist (SCNS) explained to me, the melanoma has already been removed with the original excision and the WLE is just a mopping up exercise.

I'm just adding this booklet on understanding melanoma for you to have a look through if you want to. Clicking on the image will take you there.

When I was first diagnosed I didn't think there'd be a minute of my day when I wouldn't be thinking about my melanoma. It was the last thing I thought of when I went to bed and the first thing I thought about when I woke up in the morning. Now, if it wasn't for the fact that I volunteer in this community I don't think I'd think about it much at all, except for when I go for my check-ups.

My best wishes go out to your mum as well.

x

Hi

I just wanted to check how you're doing today. I hope you managed to get some sleep last night.

x

Aw thank you! I did sleep but woke up at 4.30  I read the leaflet you sent which was great Thank you so much! I do feel a bit better today, but it’s always in the back of my mind x

It will take a long time for it not to be at the back of your mind , but one day you'll suddenly realise that you haven't thought about it recently

Hi just thought I’d update! So I had my wle on Tuesday on my hip which is still very sore! Whilst there I asked the surgeon if he could have a look at a couple of other moles I was worried about. (I am covered from head to toe and it’s impossible to keep an eye on all of them!)

anyway, the consultant took a look via Skype and decided that one on my left side had to be removed as it changed colour over the years and gone black! That’s being removed next weds and I am so nervous! I just keep thinking what if I’ve missed another mole and could be malignant too! I’m so scared at the moment xx

Hi

Hopefully your WLE wound is feeling a little less sore today. When I had mine done I took the advised paracetamol and ibuprofen for a few days but found that I could manage without them very quickly. It took a while for the area to calm down completely but you'll get there.

I'm sorry to read that you're now having another mole removed and it's natural to worry that you might have others that need removing. Like you, I have load of moles and my consultant got me to take photos of the different areas of my body, ie upper left arm, back, lower right leg, etc so that I could compare myself now with the photos taken. That way I stand a chance of spotting if any have changed when I do my monthly check.

You're still in the very early stage of diagnosis so it's perfectly natural to feel scared but these feelings will pass with time. Will you be having a physical appointment with your consultant to get the results of your WLE or will it be by telephone. If the former, then take the opportunity of getting him to check you over from head to toe if he hasn't already done so.

All the best for Wednesday and don't forget to ask the surgeon how long the current wait is for results.

x

Hi

I'm just checking in to see how you're doing and if you've had the results back from the second mole you had removed. As we haven't heard from you I'm hoping that means it wasn't another melanoma.

Hi thanks for thinking of me! My second mole came back as pre cancerous but as we got it early all good! I’ve been thinking recently is there a chance the melanoma could return in the same place or is this unlikely? I’m literally covered in moles so can’t help thinking that I’ll be back here again at some point! Xx