Hello
I Started this journey recently in Nov 2020 having been diagnosed with currently Stage 2a Melanoma (2.5mm), awaiting WLE and SNLB scheduled for Jan 2021. As it is in awkward area on my skin and the skin in tight, it has yet to be decided whether a skin graft is required or flap.
I have had a lesion on my right shin for many years and as I noted changes to its appearance in 2013, I had it checked out and was referred to hospital whereby a skin scrape was completed and sent for biopsy, the results came back as benign. However, now it turns out that the skin lesion in 2013 has been reassessed by a different pathologist and I have been informed the skin lesion indeed was a melanoma in 2013. I also had the skin lesion again looked at G.p. in 2017 And the G.p took a further skin scrape and appears did not send it for a biopsy.
Has anyone had anything similar with having melanoma for a number of years and never realised or been detected early ?, Does this mean because I have had the melanoma for 7 years it has more likely to have spread these are some of the thoughts I have and get scared,
In addition I also had CT and MRI that they informed me was clear, however I have recently been informed following the scans being re-examined the CT scan shows a “spot” on my lung, and I would have to have further CT in the near future to ascertain if there are any changes, I was told to try not worry because the spot on my lung could be old scar tissue.
Im trying my best at moment to put a smile on my face and be positive around my family, as I don’t want them worried but some moments just hit me from no-where. Im worried about many things, the upcoming op and outcome of the tests completed.
Anyone with any advice to share or has a similar experience is very much appreciated . Thank you in advance and best wishes.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi latchbrook
Thank you for your kind thoughts x I’m now two days post op and at home recovering with plenty of pain meds and antibiotics, the care and treatment I received from all of the surgery team, ward nurses, ward staff and everybody was outstanding during my stay in hospital. I had General anaesthetic, 2 cm WLE on right shin, skin graft taken from left thigh and one lymph node removed from right groin. All ok when come around and taken to ward, pain managed really well with pain killers on all op sites, then I began with a temperature 
and the most horrific pain in the left hand side of my neck/jaw, turns out I had pulled muscle in my neck as they suspect through stress and worry I have been clenching my jaw in my sleep and hurt my neck the night prior to the op, and my temp is suspected tonsillitis. I was discharged the day after, I’m confined to the bedroom at home at the moment as I’m under strict instructions not to mobilise much only to bathroom ect, to allow the best chance for the skin graft to take. I’m being well looked after by my partner and teenage kids and feel comfortable and resting as I have no energy at the moment. I go back in a weeks time for wound checks and dressing changes and results of SLNB will be discussed with me and the consultant and they said this is about 4 weeks time. Xx
Hi TrueRed
I'm glad to hear that everything went well and you were well looked after in the hospital.
I found that following the hospital's advice on taking pain meds meant that I was largely pain free and after a few days I felt comfortable enough to stop taking them.
My WLE was on my arm and the SLNB in my armpit so I was encouraged to get up and exercise as soon as possible but I do understand that it's different when it's on your leg and groin nodes are involved.
Like you, I found that my energy levels were down for a few days and my husband did all the housework and cooking for the first couple of weeks. After that I was back to normal, although it took a good deal longer for all the soreness to completely go from the operation areas.
I'll be keeping everything crossed that no melanoma is found in your SLN.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hey MammaT 
good to hear all went well with you too and you doing ok xx take care and best wishes. Yes, being sore is part of my life too at the moment but getting plenty of rest and beginning to feel I have more energy now but I being cautious and telling myself not to do too much xx
