New here. Melonoma between toes

Hi FanniAnni and a very warm welcome to the group which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I was diagnosed with melanoma on the back of my arm nearly 9 years ago now and, like you, was surprised as it wasn't an area which really saw much of the sun.

There are a few members of the group who have had a melanoma between their toes and clicking here will take you to their posts. You could have a look through them and reply to any who are still members.

While you're waiting for replies, 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.

Hi FanniAnni, my melanoma was on the bottom of my foot, an area that definitely doesn’t see the sun. No idea where it came from. It was biopsied in Oct 23 and found to be stage 1b and had WLE and sentinel node biopsy Feb 24. Thankfully all ok. They are apparently considered rare on the bottom of the feet, toes and under the fingernails. 
The best advice I got was to get a pair of boot slippers a size bigger than I would usually wear to get used to walking properly again. It will take a while. Take care of yourself and if you have any questions I can help with please ask.

Hi.   Thanks so much for your reply.  I’m into third week with legs elevated and going for second wound check tomorrow.  
I’ve been wearing my hubbys Velcro sliders as they’re only things will fit.  Only been out to hospital so far.  Will know tomorrow what sort of dressing I’ll have according to healing progress.  
I’ve got myself into a bit of a dark hole as it seems these unusual melonoma - acral - can be more aggressive and reoccurrence rate can be higher than ‘normal’ melonoma.  Got myself completely stressed out !! Shouldn’t google really not great for mental health ! 
so glad you’re all ok now. How long did it take for you to recover ?   I’m desperate to get back to walking and socializing.  Really does make life very precious.  
Waiting for biopsy results.  

Hi, I think I used a frame for walking for about 4 weeks all the time but then started to hobble about indoors on my heel, not sure this was exactly what I was supposed to be doing. I did ask the nurse at the clinic how long a full recovery would take and she said approximately 18 months and I would say that’s about right. I’m 15 months down the line now and my foot still isn’t fully healed though it is so much better than it was, but the skin graft donor scar is still healing and I would say that there’s still a way to go with that. I bought myself a good pair of trainers as they were the most comfortable thing to walk in for quite a while.

Dont google was the best piece of advice I was given, it plays with your head, be guided by the professionals. Hope you don’t have to wait too long for your biopsy results and that you receive good news. If I was to give you any advice it would be to be guided by your body with regard to your recovery. We all heal at different rates. I still managed to get out and socialise even though I was wearing funny looking footwear for a while. My furry slipper was always a talking point

take care

Hi FanniAnni,

I had acral melanoma on the bottom of my foot. Like you, very thin and stage 1a. This was 5 years ago and I am still melanoma free until today. After the WLE and skin graft, I had no other issues at all. We really only read about the really bad stories on Google. Well, in case it helps, here I am, a good story (so far!). 

My excision site still hurts occasionally because of nerve damage. I notice it most when it's cold. But I'm walking normally and back to doing long hillwalks just like before the surgery. Even if it hurts some times, it just reminds me I'm lucky the damn thing is out of my body! I used crutches for a couple of months while the wound was healing (mine took a while but it got there). I kept the foot and thigh scars moist all the time as per doctor's orders. The nurse who did my wound check loaded me up with their supplies so I could help myself at home. The scar on my thigh is not at all noticeable anymore these days. The scar on my foot is ugly but who cares! I had to buy soft insoles for my shoes for a while, but I don't use them anymore.

Wishing you lots of patience and healing in the weeks ahead. 

Thank you so much both for replying. That’s really encouraging news.

you are right I shouldn’t google - it’s worse thing to do but you can feel very alone and scared can’t you.  

thrilled you’re back to hill walking.  Walking is my sanctuary and I’ve felt lost without it! 
Back to hospital for wound check tomorrow then again Friday to look at a mole I’ve found on my arm   And due to my paranoia taking my disabled daughter to look at one on the sole of her foot   Praying that one goes ok   Be glad to see this week out !

thanks again for your support

Definitely this whole journey is scary and can definitely make us feel alone. I, too, read everything there was to read on Google when I was diagnosed. 

My husband has had more than a dozen moles cut out of his body, and all have come back benign. My sister had one on the sole of her foot - it was also benign. So, not all moles are bad news. We're just unlucky because ours turned out to be cancer but also lucky because we caught ours early. It's good to be vigilant though and to get these checks, so you're doing the right thing. Here's hoping your and your daughter's checks go ok! 

Thanks so much ! She would never cope with surgery so praying he doesn’t refer her.  I’d never have queried it until my diagnosis.  Makes us hyper aware.