pT3a

Between now and 9am in the morning Simon, make a list of all your questions and also of the things that are worrying you about your melanoma diagnosis.

Then at 9am, pick up the phone to your SCNS (skin cancer nurse specialist) and ask her all your questions and explain to her about all of your worries. She has access to your medical records and can advise you based on those.

We only have our own experiences to call on so I can tell you that there was no spread to my lymph nodes between when my excision biopsy happened (mid October) and when I had my SLNB (mid February). As far as I'm aware all melanoma can be treated but how it's treated will depend on the outcome of your SLNB.

Hi Latchbrook.

Thank you for your reply.

I think it's with mine being so much bigger that scares me.

So you waited 4 months before you had your SLNB.

How come they wait so long, I thought everything would have been rushed more than that so they could hopefully stop it reaching the lymph nodes, if it hadn't already.

I was wondering if it actually take a while for it to reach the lymph nodes, as I thought it was really really fast.

When I goggled percentages of superficial Melanoma reaching the lymph nodes it said 8% do, but 8% of how many I thought.

Thank you Latchbrook.

Simon.

Having a SLNB doesn't stop melanoma cells reach the lymph nodes it's a biopsy to see if the cells are already there. You can read all about a SLNB by clicking on the link I've created. Add this question to your list for your SCNS tomorrow.

Grinch said:

8% do, but 8% of how many I thought.

8% means 8 out of 100.

Sorry Latchbrook.

I meant it's a wonder they don't look alot sooner to see if it has reached them not 4 months.

Thank you.

Simon.

How did your chat with your SCNS go today Simon? Hopefully she was able to answer all your questions and allay some of your fears.

Hi Latchbrook.

Really sorry, not done it as yet, 1st day back In work today really busy.

Tomorrow is my Cystoscopy for suspected bladder cancer and again I googled it and I have all the symptoms that go hand in hand bladder cancer.

I read yesterday that people with type 2 diabetes like me are 40% more at risk to get it as well, and also people who take Metformin like me for type 2 diabetes are at even more risk.

It scares me that they say 9 out of 10 cancer referrals turn out not to be cancer, but my last one was so it does not install me with confidence.

I will be be calling the nurse though i promise. 

Will the nurse based at where they did my 1st biopsy or where I will be going for my plastic surgeon appointment.

It was 2 different hospitals.

Thank you.

Simon.

Both hospitals will have a SCNS but usually you would contact the one where you were originally diagnosed. If you don't have their number your consultant's secretary will be able to give it to you.

All the best with your cystoscopy tomorrow.

Just to say good luck for that cystoscopy tomorrow!

And well done for getting through that first day back at work!

Take care, Simon. 

Thank you Latchbrook.

Much appreciated.

Simon x

Morning Simon/Grinch 

I've just remembered that you said you had an appointment letter for February and you didn't know what it was for. I said it might be for the first of your follow up skin checks with dermatology and you were going to phone to find out. If it was for dermatology skin checks, then that is the hospital where your SCNS will be based.

Hope everything goes smoothly today.