Hi! I’m new here and very anxious, I am stage 3 melanoma

When is had my original mole removed back in 2016, I had to also visit a plastic surgeon at east Grinstead who removed a 2.5cm excision from around the tumour location for biopsy and to lower the risk of any cells leaking from tumour...I treated it as a mini face lift! ..the guy was excellent and it's all very straight forward.

Your results I'm sure would be discussed at the next cancer discussion board which I believe are held weekly which maybe this week but someone should be telling you this.

Thank you Paul1971 for taking the time to respond to my post.

Important to keep positive and talk to people in similar circumstances. Been to a few local mcmillian coffee mornings allowing you to speak to many people in the same boat..quite uplifting!

The cancer nurse said she will speak to me this week. I popped into my doctors surgery, as my doctor left just before Christmas, and I had a text message to say that I have been assigned a different one, because I wanted to ask why have I not yet been referred to a consultant that specialises in cancer, and I have had a little bit of pain over the weekend in my armpit where the lump is in my lymph nodes. The receptionist said she would get the doctor to call tomorrow, as today has full capacity. And that I have been referred to an oncologist but the nhs is a waiting game I hope you are well now

Do you have a cancer relationship manager for your area..they are very good. Your doctor will have the info 

Thank you for your uplifting words  I intend to stay positive, as it is what it is! And you’ve just got to fight your best  eh! 

I will ask the doctor tomorrow, thank you, as it’s a whole new experience, so any suggestions or information is most helpful, kind regards 

Hi Squinky, 

so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It is scary and sometimes you just want somebody to talk to. 
I am due to have an operation to remove all my lymph nodes in my groin due to recurrent melanoma. 

I was diagnosed in November and my operation is scheduled for the 13 th Feb. The waiting is hard and you just want it done quickly. I have found the Macmillan team have been really helpful with elleviating my fears and giving me practical things to do and signposting to other relevant services. 
I did contact my dermatologist to let them know I hadn’t heard anything about an appointment to see the surgeon and they got it sorted for me. 
hopefully you will get the support you need xx

• Thank you Cornish pixie for taking the time to respond to my post. It is a very worrying time and yes you just sometimes need someone to talk to, and it seems that you get a little bit of comfort knowing that you’re not alone since joining this group, because you are sharing each other’s stories . What stage are you? My cancer nurse rang me yesterday, something else showed up on my scan but she said it was minor she is meeting with the specialists to discuss my results on Tuesday and then Thursday I have an appointment at East Grinstead hospital ( I am based in East Sussex) to discuss surgery for my lymph nodes removal. xx

Hi squinky, 

My first time I was stage 3 and had a wide excision on my leg to remove additional flesh from around the mole as well as a sentinel lymph node biopsy which indicated a trace in my lymph node so they also removed a few lymph nodes in my groin. I recovered well and have been receiving regular CT scans for the past 4 yrs now until Nov when I found a lump in my groin which is recurrent melanoma, I now am waiting for an operation to remove all my remaining lymph nodes in my groin. 
It is a journey and everyone’s is different so it’s great to know like you said that there are other people going through similar things to chat to. 
People don’t always know what to say when you mention the big C word do they . 
I hope it goes well with the surgeon and you get a date for surgery xx