Hi firstly I don't believe I've actually been told what my diagnosis is, I waiting 18 weeks to get a result of melanoma and was told they couldn't stage it but was between a 2 or 3, now from what I've read up they wouldn't know it would be 3 without extra tests etc,
Secondly, I had a wide local excision and SLNB from both auxiliaries. I've been told there is no cancer cells in what they have taken, thank goodness! But where does this leave me, I know I'd have to have 3 monthly checks but in terms of insurances am I classed as in remission or still a cancer patient as such?
Thank you so much for any help you can give and apologies they may be stupid questions!
Hi Charliepink and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I'm sorry to read that you've recently been diagnosed with melanoma and I know what a shock that will have been for you.
The staging if melanoma is complicated as there are different ways to stage it. The first is done using something called the Breslow thickness and I'm guessing that this is the staging that you've been given. If you click on this link you'll see that if your melanoma was between 1mm and 2mm thick you will be staged at 2 and if it's between 2mm and 4mm thick you'll be staged at 3. I'm guessing that yours is probably 2mm thick and, therefore, could be either stage 2 or 3.
It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
