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tab66
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Hi, I got diagnosed with stage 1 Melanoma about 3 months ago and am waiting for an op to see if it has spread. 

I was advised a 3 month wait for my op so was hoping it would be before Christmas but found out recently it had been delayed until New Year and I am struggling to handle the not knowing. 

I know my odds are good but still have that little voice in my head saying "what if it has spread?" 

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    Is it a sentinel node biopsy you're waiting on? Stage 1 is reassuring. Was it in a visible spot that you caught quickly(?) because that would be another factor in your favour. Attend all your dermatology appointments and keep an eye on your lymph nodes. I think it's healthy to be respectful of melanoma but not let it impact your living too much when it's not proven that it's spread or recurred. Keep out of strong sun, wear good sun screen and be observant of those lymph nodes. Especially the ones local to the melanoma x good luck xx

  • Offline

    Is it a sentinel node biopsy you're waiting on? Stage 1 is reassuring. Was it in a visible spot that you caught quickly(?) because that would be another factor in your favour. Attend all your dermatology appointments and keep an eye on your lymph nodes. I think it's healthy to be respectful of melanoma but not let it impact your living too much when it's not proven that it's spread or recurred. Keep out of strong sun, wear good sun screen and be observant of those lymph nodes. Especially the ones local to the melanoma x good luck xx

  • Offline

    Is it a sentinel node biopsy you're waiting on? Stage 1 is reassuring. Was it in a visible spot that you caught quickly(?) because that would be another factor in your favour. Attend all your dermatology appointments and keep an eye on your lymph nodes. I think it's healthy to be respectful of melanoma but not let it impact your living too much when it's not proven that it's spread or recurred. Keep out of strong sun, wear good sun screen and be observant of those lymph nodes. Especially the ones local to the melanoma x good luck xx

  • Offline in reply to Lyns21

    Thank you. It is a sentinel node biopsy. It was a mole on my arm that had been there a while. 

    I know I'm probably worrying over nothing but there is always that little bit of doubt. 

  • Offline in reply to tab66

    Hi,

    I'm sorry you are having to wait so long for your WLE and SLNB. Sadly these appointments are taking longer to arrange because both procedures are done at the same time & a radiographer needs to be present to carry out the ultrasound for the node biopsy. If it was just the WLE surgery, it would be done quicker.

    Some melanoma patients choose to not undergo the SLNB because of the long waiting times or because they don't want to put themselves at the small risk of side effects it causes. The SLNB is not a treatment - it's used to more precisely stage the melanoma which then determines if any drug treatment is necessary (so, in a roundabout way, affects treatment)!

    I know that the anxiety of waiting can be overwhelming but take comfort in the fact that your melanoma has already been removed & that the majority of patients that have a WLE & SLNB get clear results. As a Stage 1b patient the chance of a spread is approximately 3%. Perhaps contact the hospital and ask to be put on their cancellation list if you are in a position to take a last minute cancellation over the next few weeks - some patients cancel appointments just before Christmas as they don't want to be recovering from surgery over the festive period.

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

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

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