Return of my cancer

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2016, my story isn't unique. Was worried about a mole on my face,the GP said it was a good shape,colour etc so was nothing to worry about. Over a year later and my wife pushed my into bringing it up again with the GP. Long story short about a year later I was diagnosed,had 2 surgeries and was all clear.

Then only last week I was seen by the hospital because I could feel a lump underneath my skin only a cm or 2 from where my cancer was. I know it's back,of course the doctors wouldn't say but I knew by their faces it doesn't look good so I'll get confirmation next month. The point of this post is two-fold...just to say never stop checking even after being all clear for years.

Secondly,don't forget to check your insurance policies...I didn't even know the first time round that I had Critical Illness Cover,it was my wife who had arranged it and it was actually a doctor who asked was I insured-i said I didn't know, but my wife checked out policy and found out I was covered. As it was a fairly new policy I was paid out about a year later around £100,000. 

Now I know fine rightly that £ doesn't matter when it comes to your life,but isn't it better that SOME good comes from this horrible illness? Anyway,keep checking your selves AND your policies!

Marty

  • Hi Marty and welcome to the forum, although I'm sorry to hear your cancer may have returned. 

    I just wanted to thank you for your post and for your very sound advice. I'm sure our members will appreciate it and hopefully some of them will stop by soon to say hello and offer their support to you whilst you wait for your results.

    If there is anything in relation to this that you would like to discuss with one of our cancer nurses, they are available Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m on 0808 800 4040. 

    I really do hope the results bring good news when the time comes Marty, but if the cancer has returned then rest assured that the Cancer Chat community are here for you and will support you every step of the way.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Thanks Steph much appreciated.

    Marty 

  • Hi Marty, 

    I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and just like you, I forgot I bought three critical illness policies 20 years ago (Not paranoid at all!) It was my husband who mentioned that I may have critical illness policies. Yes, I would prefer not to have breast cancer but it definitely help that we are mortgage free and my husband can retire so that he can support me if he needs to. I am too young to retire but I can choose to work part time if I need to. I just had my lumpectomy surgery yesterday and waiting to see if cancer has spread. I wish you all the best. Izzy x

  • Hi Izzy,sorry about your diagnosis but hopefully you find out soon that it hasn't spread (I've found the waiting worse than any surgery I've had). Sounds like you're in a really good financial position which is one very big worry off your shoulders. I coined the catchphrase when I was diagnosed that if I was going to have cancer then I'll damn well get paid for it! 

    Unfortunately after my first melanoma diagnosis I couldn't get critical illness cover again but I can't complain too much. Really hope everything goes well for you!

    Marty