I had a cancerous mole removed from my back 16 years ago, followed by 3 years of checks.  About 5 years ago things started happening.  Vitilgo appeared on my arms and face, old moles disappeared and others faded.  I also have coeliac disease and at the time i developed microscopic colitis, no big problem , however i was given steroids.  The steroids made me very ill.  I was reluctant to take them as by the time i saw the specialist things were starting to settle down again.  Weird things started happening and i had frequent trips to my GP. I appeared to be in fine fettle but something was going on.  I then developed granulomas on my legs for which i was sent to see a dermatologist. At this point i was seeing 4 specialists but no one connected the dots.  A rheumatologist sent me for a scan and a one cm mass was showing on my lung, this was January 2017.  I had follow up scans and it was shown to be growing but due to errors in the system my case was filed many times.  I am extremely grateful to my GP as she chased things with the hospitals  i ended up paying the NHS in Oxford to remove it in October 2017, I was then told it was melanoma.

I saw the oncologist 6 weeks later and after a follow up scan it was suggested i watched and waited as there was no cancer showing.  I had 3 month scans and checks to begin with and now i have 6 month scans and check ups.   I have had amazing support from my partner and we have since married. I have coped really well and rarely feel overwhelmed, until now.  My autoimmune issues are playing up and with  COVID it is not possible to see someone for relatively minor issues.  (Now I have guttate psoriasis) I worry now that my body is fighting again.  Since my operation  I have read papers and journals on melanoma, i find them interesting and helpful.  However I have never found any other case of stage 4 where they are watching and waiting, only stage 3 patients.  There is data to show that people (stage 3) who take adjuvant therapy rather than watch and wait fare better.  My last appointment with the oncologist was a telephone call and my next one is also planned to be a call.  I feel i should at least try taking adjuvant therapy.....  Any thoughts?

Fiona