Hi Collie-mum, I would seek advice from your team with regard to self-checking. How you should do it as well as the frequency.
Recurrence anxiety is something we all have to live with. It is very unpleasant. But it does get easier over time.
Maybe ask your team to give you a prognosis? I'm not a medic but believe it will be excellent. Hearing this will mean you will worry a lot less.
Wishing you all the best. x Harry

Hi Collie-mum,

I know how devastating it is to get a diagnosis of melanoma but seeking advice & information will help you to understand and deal with it and the worry will lessen as time goes by. There are lots of places to get great advice about melanoma - Melanoma Focus is a recommended website as it's full of information and they also have a nurses helpline. Melanoma Charity for Professionals, Patients & Public - Melanoma Focus

Stage 1a means you've caught the cancer very early and surgical treatment is usually successful. The chances of it never recurring are 97% so the odds are very much in your favour. For those that do have a recurrence, melanoma treatment has improved vastly and is showing great results. 

You should have been given the details of, or even met, your specialist nurse who you can contact at any time with any questions you have. Either they or your consultant will show you how to check your lymph nodes once you receive your WLE results back but meanwhile this video should answer all your questions. How To Check Your Lymph Glands - Melanoma Awareness (youtube.com)

Good luck with your WLE. I'm almost sure your results will bring good news & you will then be monitored for a period of time. I will send you a friend request so that, if you accept it & you have any further questions, we can chat by private message.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thanks for the advice Harry. Really appreciate you taking the time to reply, and thank you for being positive. Best wishes to you too. x