Not a nurse obviously, but what i will say, you might not get another appointment for a while after those 6 weeks, so you need to consider that too. Such are the waiting lists for NHS appointments.There's never a good time to get a biopsy or anything, but getting a cancer diagnosis is even more inconvenient. What we learned during our cancer diagnosis, work etc doesn't matter. None of it matters if you ain't got your health. You say you want it all done at once, but that's not the way it works. If you have to wait 2 weeks for those results, you'll also have to wait 2 weeks for those same results later on. So you will have to factor all that in too.

My wife was initially all, but, but my work, my commitments elsewhere outside of work  ... Then when you're off and outta action, you realise the work goes on, the world keeps spinning, but you're left with the treatment and recovery. I know nothing about the cancer you are being tested for, but it's always better to get it seen to sooner rather than kicking the can further down the road. I get you're scared about the possible diagnosis, but the reality is, fear doesn't change what is already in motion whether it be good or bad. Most things do turn out to be benign, but some don't. Getting a good result will also allow you to get on with your life and put all this behind you sooner.

Please consider that, if it is melanoma, the quicker it's removed the more chance treatment will be successful. Speed is important with melanoma. Don't make any decisions until you've managed to speak to the clinician. It may be that only the nail and nail bed needs to be removed and you can travel to your sister's wedding with the minimum of mobility issues.

Results are taking an average of 8 weeks to come back so going to the wedding and work etc will help distract you throughout the long wait. If it is melanoma, you will then require further surgery which means any postponement of the initial surgery will push back your further surgery into Xmas. So I'm afraid there is never a convenient time to undergo cancer tests.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Angie, Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009

Thank you, AngieT. I am hoping to talk to a clinician today but I am having trouble being connected. I would even be willing to go in and talk to them face to face if needed. 

It is likely that it will be only the nail and the nailbed that needs removing as that is where it is most present. Taking 8 weeks to receive results is actually reassuring because if I have the biopsy next week, in the next 8 weeks, I have the wedding, a work conference, and a long distance holiday planned too. There's just a lot going on that I can't risk being immobilised for, but I understand that cancer waits for no-one. I just wish the GPs had listened to me and referred me sooner when I told them I had what looked like a toenail bruise but with no trauma.

Thanks again!

Hello and thanks for posting,

Unfortunately, we can't give you specific advice as to what to do, based on the symptoms/situation you describe, as your dermatologist knows best.

I do think though given the current NHS climate, it would probably be better overall to keep the current booked appointment.

Otherwise, you could be placed much further back in the appointments queue, or have to be re referred again. There is never a good time to engage with getting our health concerns sorted out, as it tends to cause anxiety. Equally, it can cause more anxiety whilst waiting for a future appointment.

I hope you get this issue sorted soon.

Best wishes,

Vanda

Thanks, Vanda. I appreciate the reply. I think I will keep the appt but I will try to get a clear idea about what to expect post-procedure. I truly hope its a two week healing process, and I am fine afterwards. However it took me 5 weeks to heal from a minor procedure on my hand a few years back when they said it would take 2 weeks, hence my apprehension.

One thing we learned from the last 2 years, the sooner you get something seen to, the sooner you get back on your feet (no pun intended). So many stories on here about people putting stuff off, whether it's because they sat and ignored the elephant in the room, or because they found something late, that had they went and got seen to sooner, it would have involved less invasive treatments.

We fully understand your desire to get to that wedding, and your work commitments because we too were in your position. But put yourself front and centre. You risk a much much longer recovery kicking that can further down the road. If it came down to it, it's better to miss a wedding and be inconvenienced for 5 weeks than to risk putting yourself out of action for months on end all because you wanted to meet certain obligations to others. Seriously, I do get why you're considering this, because we all do. But no point trading in a week or two away for a few months of crappyness should it be something.

Just to be clear, no one is judging you, no one thinks you're daft, because we have all been there in some shape or form. But talking as someone that has come out of this with the wife at the other side, you owe it to yourself to put your health first. If your little sis knew what you were willing to do, she'd probably be mortified if she had all the facts at hand.

Thanks ProfBaw. I appreciate your message. I completely agree and if someone was coming to me with the same dilemma as I had, I would tell them the same thing. That their health is more important. It’s just much harder when it’s me and I feel like I will be letting people down and risk wasting their time and money, including several ‘bucket list’ items if I don’t heal up in time or if there are complications. I really hoped the doctor or surgeon would get back to me and explain what to expect in terms of surgery and healing, but I haven’t heard back. I would like to be prepared with all the facts before I tell others. I know my sister will understand, truly, but it’s more that I would like to know with certainty if I will not be able to attend. Similarly, work will have to deal with it and my friend will understand too, but I would like to know so I can give them a true expectation. I am hoping the procedure will be a punch hole biopsy but if it’s not, I might end up losing the whole nail, and I don’t know how that heals post-biopsy.