Good evening,
I'm new here and thought I'd ask as few questions to you lovely people out there in the world in a similar position to myself
For a bit of background I finally had it confirmed I had a Level 1B melanoma removed at the end of July, I then had a referral for a wide skin excision and sentinel node biopsy but at which point I was told I also had a Basal Cel Carcinoma on my left cheek.
I've had all of this surgery just last Monday, I was at hospital for 14.5 hours total and wondered for some advise and updates and how everyone found the following:
- since diagnosis and throughout how are you sleeping? I'm managing 5 hours max, I'm 41 and really even when exhausted my brain struggles to turn off and when it does I wake up at stupid o clock and cannot switch off again.
- the Wide Skin Excision was alot larger than I thought, how quickly were your stitches removed? Tomorrow I'll be on my final dressing change before I'm back to hospital on Tuesday
- the Basal Cell on my face is in an awkward spot, it doesn't bother me that much but does anyone have any personal tricks for me once the dressing has been replaced next week?
I'm currently signed off til mid/late October which is a very long time for me as I run a pub in London. Switching off is hard for me too.
So sorry if I am waffling my way through this, thank you all for being here, for anyone who replies. Hope everyone is in good spirits xx
Hi Carl201807956b and welcome to the skin cancer group.
I've had both a melanoma and a couple of BCCs removed, although not at the same time.
I didn't have any difficulty sleeping, as I took the recommended painkillers after I'd had the WLE and SLNB. Both areas were uncomfortable for a few days and I did find that I slept better if I didn't lie on them. The WLE was on my arm and the SLNB in my armpit.
You haven't said where your melanoma was, or where you had the SLNB, so that might make sleeping more difficult.
I had dissolvable stitches, so didn't have to have them removed. I know they had completely gone by the time I went for my post surgery check-up and results a couple of weeks later.
I can't help with any experience of having a BCC removed from a cheek as mine were on my back and chest. Again I had dissolvable stitches.
All the best with your check-up tomorrow.
Anne
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
