Hi Dann3112,

I'm sorry to hear your mum is going through this. Your mum should have been told her stage after the biopsy results were given to her. The stage is based on the depth measurement of the mole/melanoma. 

Was the groin node removal done at the same time as the second excision? If so, this is called a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) & is done when the melanoma is more than 1mm in depth. A SLNB would mean your mum is either Stage 1b or Stage 2 (a, b or c). However, if melanoma is found in the node that's been removed, her Stage will change to Stage 3. 

Does your mum not want one of you to go into the appointment with her so she has an extra pair of ears to catch everything the consultant says? Has she been given any leaflets to read and/or the name of a Cancer Specialist Nurse to call if she has any questions? This should be done as the norm once diagnosed with melanoma. They certainly would have explained more to her during the pre-op appointment and post op when she was discharged, including how long it will take for the results to come back. Once they have been returned & given to your mum they will then decide what happens next. If there is no melanoma in the node and mum's original staging was either 1b or 2a, she will just have regular check ups for 3 or 5 years. If her original staging was 2b or 2c, or melanoma is found in the node so she becomes Stage 3, she will also be offered a period of drug treatment & will receive regular scans.

This website is great for information Patient Guide - Melanoma Focus but I suggest you pump mum for more information as the Staging is an important part in order to know what might happen next. Meanwhile, I will send you a friend request. If you accept it I can send you more information that may be helpful. Good luck to mum,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)