Melanoma

Hello

Sorry to hear you have had a second melanoma. It’s must be really tough to have a recurrence. 

I have had a similar experience. I had a melanoma removed from the bottom/side of my foot near the heel in April 2024 and a skin graft from my arm. It took 13 weeks before it healed completely. The surgeon (who did a great job) said it would take 3 weeks to heal so it was very frustrating that it went on for so much longer even though I did everything I was advised to do (elevation, not too much standing/walking, shower only with a limbo bag to keep it dry) and more (didn’t actually walk on the foot until it was fully healed even though I was told I could). My macmillan nurse reassured me that feet are problematic places to have a melanoma simply because of blood circulation and that it would just take time to get better. 

Once it was fully healed I started walking without a crutch and for the first month or so my foot would swell up, so I would elevate it still as much as possible. It gradually subsided and while I have a dent/hole in my foot it’s very manageable now.

So if my experience is anything to go by you are doing fine - just keep elevating it when you can and ice it as you are doing. It should hopefully resolve in a few weeks’ time.

Best of luck!

Claire

It sounds as though yours was in a similar place to mine. Mine was on my shin just above my ankle and I had a wle and skin graft carried out the beginning of February this year. The skin graft died, but the wound healed on its own. My leg/ankle will swell if I don’t keep it raised while sitting or if I stand for too long. We had a very warm weekend a few weeks ago, which is a rare thing in Wales, and it swelled quite badly.

Hi Carys,

Thank you so much for your reply it was a great help. I'm sorry you've been through it too.Glad to hear it is more manageable for you now.

Yes it still swells up, I think now it could also be because in 2017 I had a lymph node biopsy done and had mild lymphodema, so probably this is having an impact.

I don't know if you feel the same but I felt I wasn't informed enough by the consultant about how this procedure will make you so immobile for quite a long time. They said it would heal quickly and I'd be able to walk etc but it hasn't been like that at all. I live on my own and needed a lot of help. I understand everyone is different but I felt the info online etc is very random. The hospital also didn't give me any advice when I was discharged  I think they were just so busy but still.

Anyway I'm trying to put it all behind me again and move forward. Thankfully I received results that it was negative for 'in transit' melanoma, massive relief.

I hope you are still doing OK.

Many thanks.

Thanks LampY for your reply. Sorry to hear you have been through it too. I hope you are getting on OK.

I'm in Wales too and know exactly what you mean about the rare heat!

All the best.