I was diagnosed with melanoma but the dermatologist consultant never told me the stage it was at. Iam waiting to get mole removed and a fluid taken out to check any spread. I am worried.
Having had 3 moles removed at different times, I can fully understand your worry. Not all moles are cancerous. I have been very fortunate and all 3 of mine were benign. However, I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. I was first diagnosed 14 years ago and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. I found my plastic surgeon very helpful in telling me exactly what he was doing, at the time of my melanoma surgery and I hope that you have the same experience. Don't be afraid to ask about the stage and anything else that the consultant omits to tell you, or that you don't understand.
I sincerely hope that this is at an early stage and that you can have some treatment. You will find that things become easier to cope with once you know exactly what you are dealing with. Try to keep busy while you are waiting for results.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
Thank you for your reply. I just don't understand why they don't tell you much. I did not think to ask at time as the shock of the words melanoma. I was not expecting it because the dermatologist I saw before biopsy said it did not look like anything serious. Hopefully I will get it removed soon its been a week now but he did say 2-3 weeks.xx
I waited about a month from seeing the dermatologist to seeing the plastic surgeon. Any cancer diagnosis comes as a shock, no matter how prepared we think that we are. They don't tell you that much to start with, because there's not that much to tell. Tests will be carried out on any tissue that is removed and you will then have a further wait for the results of these. I always find it helpful to write down any questions I have and to take them with me to any consultation. I hope that you get your appointment through soon.
