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Convinced I have cancer

Laurac1209
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I'm totally new here and I have alot on my mind so please bear with me as all these things may not be linked at all and may just be my anxiety linking them together... sooo... October last year I was experiencing night sweats and really tired and drained, went to Dr, sent me to haematologist who done tonnes of bloods, all were normal except my monocytes (white cells) were abit high.. I had bloods done 2 weeks ago and they were still abit high but not massively... December last year I ended up in a&e with a heart rate of 180 out of nowhere, so everyday since I've had to take a beta blocker(although they tell me this is anxiety I'm not convinced) I'm awaiting my 72hr ecg results..

So fast forward to around 4weeks ago I went to the Dr with a brown line down my thumb nail, she immediately tells me this is a sign for melanoma caused by a rare skin cancer (which has nothing to do with sun exposure) so she takes a photo (on my phone) fast tracks me to the melanoma  clinic, who have decided after looking at a photo and not actually seeing me in person, that I should wait until November to be seen and have another picture taken.. I have made an appt to go private as I am not happy waiting that long..  since seeing the Dr about the line on said thumb I am also having pain in the base of my thumb and wrist which is leading me to think the line is a melanoma and it has spread to my bone... 

I know this is a massive comment but I am out of my mind with worry

  • Hello Laurac1209 and thanks for posting, 

    I think most people with a symptom that might be caused by cancer find it hard not to worry even thought they know something else could be the matter. And I think when we are worried about our health we become hyper aware of our bodies and with any new ache and pain tend to assume everything is linked when it doesn't have to be.

    Unfortunately no one here on Cancer Chat can tell you if you have a melanoma or not, but I think a lot of people will understand the stress involved in waiting for a diagnosis or to rule cancer out. 

    Try as best as you can to keep an open mind and take it one step at a time. Melanomas affecting the nail are rare so for that reason alone something else is more likely to be going on. 

    I hope this private appointment is coming up soon so you can find out more. In the meantime do what you can to cope with the inevitable stress - it is usually best not to spend too much time online looking for answers as most people go round in circles without being much the wiser which keeps their concerns front of mind. Distraction is usually a better coping strategy, but difficult to pull off. 

    Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over. Our number is  Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are around weekdays, 9-5.

    Best wishes,

    Julia

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Julia

    Thank you so much for your reply.. my private appt is on the 24th August, so in a few days time, hopefully the consultant i see will be of more help, although I know the biopsy will be painful but I'd rather have it done as it is the only sure way to rule a melanoma out.. 

     

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