Newly diagnosed 2a

Hi Gavin and a very warm welcome to the melanoma group

I was diagnosed with melanoma coming up to 5 years ago now and, like you, was Stage 2a having been told that the curious lesion I had was nothing to worry about. You can read my story by clicking on my profile if you want to.

Having not expected my lesion to be anything serious it was a great shock to be told I had melanoma. I can remember how numb I felt.

It's natural to feel as you do but, although it won't seem like it now, there will come a time when melanoma is not the last thing on your mind as you fall asleep or the first thing you think about when you wake up.

I had both the wide local excision (WLE), which I expect is the further surgery you mention, and also a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and I'm happy to chat this through with you if this helps.

Also if you want to ask anything or just have a bit of a rant then please do.

When you feel up to it, it would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment so far in your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. 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.

x

Hi latchbrook. Thanks for the reply. Just not sure what to make of things just now. I have a 6 year old son and am terrified he's going to lose his daddy.

The consultant yesterday said it's very important for my immune system to stay positive, which I'm not sure how to do after my diagnosis.

I'm going to see my GP on Monday to see if they can suggest how I can get through the next few days while I wait to speak to the surgeon.

Gavin

Hi  I have just had a melanoma T3a removed from my face and had the sentinel node biopsy. Like you the dermatologist wasn’t worried at all but it came back as a 2.5mm melanoma. My sons are older but like you am terrified they are going to lose me. The waiting around etc is so hard but I have found relaxation apps have helped me relax a little. 

Hi amccl,

Yes, I also find relaxation apps useful, and am trying to stay as positive as possible. I also take anti-anxiety supplements such as ashwagandha, theanine, and St. John's Wort which also help a little. I wish you the best of luck.

Gavin

In addition to my post below, could you let me know how you found the SNB, and whether you've had the WAE on your face yet? Thanks.

 my melanoma was just a tiny spot above my eyebrow so the WLE runs fromm my eyelid to nearly my forehead ( much bigger than I ever thought). The SLNB was at my left ear area three tiny nodes were removed. The ear area was Tender afterward that affected my balance for a few days. I got this done just about 5 weeks ago and took a few days to recover but I have been fine physically it’s more mentally I have struggled. Unfortunately last Monday I was told the melanoma was present in two of the nodes that were removed so I am awaiting a ct letter as I am now stage3. Hoping the ct comes back as clear and I will be starting adjuvant treatment very soon ( I hope ). 

Hi Gavin

I'm sure we've all had the same thoughts as you. I was diagnosed at the beginning of December 2016 and found myself wondering 'will this be my last Christmas' but here I am nearly 5 years later. 

I haven't heard that it's important for your immune system to stay positive before but I think it's helpful for your mental wellbeing to try and stay as upbeat as possible. However, it's impossible to be positive all the time and it really annoys me when people who haven't had cancer say things like 'you must remain positive to beat this' as it puts so much pressure on you when you've enough to worry about it in the early stages of a diagnosis without worrying that you're not being positive.

My best advice would be to stay off google and ask any questions about your diagnosis and treatment here as most things that you want to know will have happened to someone here who can share their experience. 

To keep my mind from wandering to the 'what ifs' I immersed myself in my hobbies so now's the time to treat yourself to some 'me time'. Lots of people find mindfulness really helpful and, if this is something that interests you, have a look at this page from the NHS which list apps, some of which are free.

x

Hi amccl,

 Thanks for the details. I sincerely hope that the CT scan is clear and that the adjuvant treatment starts soon.

Gavin

many thanks , the waiting is so difficult the last few days have been so rough as my mind keeps rushing to worse case scenarios. 

Thanks latchbrook.

My concerns, while clearly to a degree for myself, are mostly for my wife and son. My son is such a bright, cheerful little boy that the thought of what his daddy becoming seriously ill and dying would do to him, I find very hard to process.

I'm going to book an appointment with my GP today to discuss options to help us through the next while. I understand that a skin cancer specialist nurse will also be in touch soon to answer any questions we have for now.

I've tried mindfulness in the past and will try this again over the next few days.

Gavin