Hello Zo-zo and thanks for your post,

I am sorry to hear about your situation. I can understand how unsettling it can be to wait for results but unfortunately it is really only the doctors and the results from any biopsies taken that can confirm whether your lymph node is involved. Try not to use the internet as a guide as it is so general and does not reflect your situation. 

Hopefully you will know more today.

You are welcome to ring and chat this through with one of the helpline nurses. Our number is freephone 0808 800 4040 and the nurses are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

All the best,

Catherine

Oh thank you. I've been told today that I will need to go to hospital to see a surgeon. I have looked him up and he is best man for job so that's great. At this point in time can't say about possible spread but obviously my lymph node being hard since Jan is a serious sign. My Dr was lovely today bit when he talked about surgery I was just saying all I care about is my mortality. He couldn't give me a reassuring reply. Might be a possibility of immunotherapy after surgery and scans etc. Just now have to wait and hope my appointmentvis as soon as possible. Its a strange feeling. Its like a time bomb regarding the spread situation. I am quite numb to the diagnosis and all I seem to care about ATM is others and the impact this will have on them. I'm expecting first grandchild in July this year so this has come at a horrible time. 

Hi Zo-zo,

Try not to look at Dr Google - the information is old (lots of new advances in melanoma treatment these days) and it gives misleading information ie. melanoma can spread aggressively in a small number of people but take years in other people.

You sound to be under a good team on the mainland - I know of someone in Jersey that has been under the mainland for several years & are very happy with their care.

It's difficult when you are awaiting surgery & results & don't know the confirmed stage yet. All you can do is find ways to distract yourself to keep your sanity. Meanwhile, I've sent you a friend request. If you have any questions or would just like to chat, we can do so by private message after you've accepted my request.

I hope you get a quick date for your surgery and you are well on the way to recovery by the time you become a grandma. 

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Aww thank you for your reply. Maybe I shouldn't have googled so much as I have kinda convinced myself this is a death sentence.  Maybe when I have more info we can talk again. I'm glad to see you were diagnosed along time ago and still here to tell the tale bless you. 

Hi Zo-zo, as has been said please don't Google, too many half truths. I had what proved to be a melanoma removed from my forehead in June 22, in December 23 I noticed a swollen lymph node in my neck so although it had spread it hadn't exactly rushed! I had my lymph node surgery early Feb and still waiting for final results although I am due to sart immunotherapy in a couple of weeks

Good luck with thatvthen he good to continue to hear your story and yes my friends all tell me stop looking on Internet. I've got alot of info now so I will stop. I'm 55 by the way and had  a .5mm melanoma removed from my leg 7 years ago. 

CRUK and Macmillan is as far as I look now. I'm more than 20 years your senior and have had way more BCC's than I care to count dating back to the early 1980's. I did have a previous melanoma removed from my leg years ago but that was at a time when you were just told it had all been removed, no follow up or anything. It's so much better these days!

Thanks I'm feeling a bit more optimistic. I'm glad I put a message out in this site last night. 

The ball has started to roll. I have an ultrasound on Friday 19th to check if any spread to liver I think wish it was sooner but hey ho lucky to live in a part of the world wirld where we have good health care.. hoping to hear from the hospital ASAP about my surgery date. Need to get this bloody lymph node removed can't help feeling like its like a time bomb in my head. I'm not stressing too much which is great. I take anti anxiety medication for PMT can't help thinking this is what's keeping me calm. But whatever works is good for me. 

Thank you for your message. The ball is rolling for my treatment thankfully.. I have a scan booked next Friday at my local hospital to check for spreading to liver. Scary thought but hopefully will be clear. Waiting to hear from the hospital about my surgery. I hope I don't have to wait too long this swollen and hard  lymph node feels like a time bomb...