Not quite what I expected

Hi everyone, new here, new to cancer, or so I thought. Four years ago, I had a mole removed from my forearm for a biopsy, came back as a melanoma, so I had a large area of my forearm excised and a lymph node removed from under my armpit, to check if it had spread. Fortunately it hadn’t, so we were very relieved, they kept a check on me for four years and only recently discharged me. Last summer I started having strange sensations in my left arm and chest when I exerted myself, so I was referred to a cardiologist who suspected angina, he prescribed me some tablets which worked very well at relieving the feeling I was getting, but also arranged an MRI of my heart under stress. The results came back, my heart was fine and I didn’t have angina, however, they did notice a nodule on my right lung. After a series of tests they thought it was a cancer, but because of its location, weren’t able to do a biopsy, so they decided to remove the complete middle lobe. Surgery took place on 12th January, all being well, home the following day, or the next. After serious complications, I finally came home 32 days later. The cancer was confirmed as being a melanoma, which they are certain has spread from my arm. I’m seeing the surgeon tomorrow for my follow up. Because of the nature of the surgery I had, I now have a massive swelling on my lower right abdomen, which is a result of the nerves which were severed, this swelling is very sore sensitive and very uncomfortable, hopefully in time it will improve. I’m now under the oncologist and have been offered immunotherapy, which I am quite nervous about. I’m 63 and prior to surgery, was extremely fit, now I look like a very old man in his 80’s!

  • Hi J.C,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry to hear of what you've been through with this and the difficulties you've experienced.

    I hope that your appointment went OK yesterday and that you now have some further information about next steps and what to expect.

    I also hope that this forum can be of some help to you - we are always here for support if you need it. Hopefully you'll get some more replies to your post soon, but otherwise do feel free to have a search of the forum for other relevant discussions and people to connect with.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Ben, thanks for your reply. Appointment was fine, surgeon has officially referred me to oncology, although I’ve already seen them. Immunotherapy starts on April 12th, quite apprehensive about it, but I don’t think I have a choice!