New recruit

Hi Driver1936 and a very warm welcome to our corner of the online community which I hope you'll find is an informative and supportive place to be.

We all understand what an anxious time waiting to find out if you have melanoma is. When you say

Driver1936 said:

so now on Tues 1st Sept I start the long road

do you mean that's when you're having a biopsy or when you are getting the results from/going to your teledermatology appointment?

Hi,  the 1st Sept is my teledermatology appointment which came through pretty quick I think.

Is it wrong not to feel anxious, am I not taking it seriously enough ? Family seem more concerned than me I know its a big thing,

Having gone through it 40 years ago and came through it (with bits missing) I'm currently in the mindset that the last 40 years have been a bonus.  The help and support that is available now is way more than the last time and it feels so much easier for me, I know its a scary time and we all approach it in our own way. Last time it was go here, go there, do this not that and felt very much out of my hands and very little information.  There was no forum's to get help or talk, there was no internet to be fair.  I do know its good to talk and hopefully everybody going through this journey can find somebody to talk to, it helps.

I don't think there's any right or wrong way to feel. A lot depends on your personality. I'm very much a get on with things type of person so don't tend to worry, which I realise is a blessing. So you just deal with it how it suits you and don't worry about how others think you should be reacting.

Let us know how it goes on Tuesday.

Hi I think very one deals with this differently I was horrendous first two days then got life into perspective I am 8 months down the road after removal of melanoma and lymph node am at this moment no cancer present I think because it’s very common now the system is more streamlined and so much more is known and treatments have moved on melanoma is so much more treatable that makes you feel that it is so curable and you are monitored for 5 years and not to left 

Good luck with everything keep in touch let us now how all goes 

That's great to read that you've no evidence of melanoma at the moment CMK 

I just wanted to add that the length of time you're monitored for depends on the Stage of your melanoma. When I was diagnosed 10 years ago, everyone was monitored for 5 years regardless, but now it's between 1 and 5 years.

You can see more information about follow ups on the NICE website by clicking here.

I didn’t realise the monitoring was different I had stage 2 Desmoplastic melanoma on my chin line 

so I feel lucky if you can call it lucky to be monitored every three months for 3 years and every six months for 2 years they also said if any issues between just contact them direct and they will see me straight away I have had absolutely first class treatment on the NHS in Hull they have been amazing 

Hello Driver1936 - I do hope all goes well tomorrow and everything continues to move forward quickly. It’s the waiting that’s difficult I think. I’ve had WLE and a couple of lymph nodes removed after melanoma on my forearm. For me (misdiagnosis so nearly 2 years lost) it was the anger and shock at first. Now I’m much more positive, know treatments are improving all the time and I’ll follow expert advice and try not to expend energy worrying. I have oncology meeting on 3rd to discuss possible further treatments. Everyone finds their own way but forums like this are incredibly helpful - stops me worrying family and friends!

• Hi FifiL,  seen at Teledermatology had a few pictures taken and now the wait to hear anything back,  its the waiting that I find difficult but like you say no point in expending energy.
• Good to hear you're being positive, good luck on the 3rd and hope all goes well.

It's not wrong at all to not feel anxious - it sounds like you're taking it seriously, and having been through this a long time ago, you know more or less what to expect. The great news is that 40 years on, the treatment options are incredible, if it comes to needing that. All the best!

Hi Cathryn.  Sounds like you've been on quite the journey yourself. It's certainly a long bumpy road but great to know there are people to talk to on the way which is a great help.  Things have changed greatly over the last 40 years, certainly not feeling alone this time around.