Thank you so much for your reply.  It does help to know that someone else is in the same situation.
 I actually had three suspicious looking moles, and of the three, the doctor was convinced that one was a basal cell carcinoma, as it was flesh coloured.  That was the one that turned out to be the melanoma.  So far, I’ve only seen a dermatologist, but on Thursday, I am seeing a plastic surgeon.  I live in N Wales, and my nearest major hospital is 40 miles away.  The consultant I am seeing on Thursday is in N W England, although he is holding a clinic in my local hospital in Wales.  I will have to travel 80 miles for the surgery though.
The specialist nurse who gave me the results this week did give me quite a thorough examination, including the lymph nodes.
i haven’t seen my pathology report, but it’s a good idea to request a copy.  At the moment, I almost don’t want to know, but there’s no hiding from the facts, and as you say, it gives you a good basis for asking for clarification.  
i will keep in touch to let you know how I get on.  Good luck with your procedure in January.  The waiting is almost unbearable, but it will be December tomorrow, which makes it feel closer.

Do keep me posted about your own treatment too.  All the very best for 3 January.

Dear Caroline, thank you for your reply. Sorry for the delay the notification went into my junk folder. My heart goes out to you, as you are right, part of us wants to know, the other part of us doesn't...I felt that myself. So your Melanoma was a flesh colored mole along with other suspicious moles where they thought it might be a BCC instead it was melanoma. How shocking for you, I don't care who we are, how robust, being told you have any form of cancer it the most dreaded words we fear. I admit I was shocked, numb and terrified..I suppose I still am especially the latter. So you're based in N Wales with your nearest hospital 40 miles away, that is quite some distance for you cope with as well as your diagnosis. I am pleased you are seeing a plastic surgeon some specialise in Melanoma, and other skin cancers and there removals and treatment. I too had a plastic surgeon from the a cancer hospital in Oxfordshire where I live..so I believe you will be in good hands thank goodness, just such a shame you have to travel 80 miles for surgery. I'm NO cancer expert and don't profess to be but I'm of the understanding 1A and 1B are the earliest forms of the disease if not found earlier, in-situ and these stages it has not usually (less likely) to have gone to the lymph nodes, excellent you have had them checked. Yes, I did find having the pathology report sent to me an eye-opener in as much as, although a lot of it was like trying to read Latin, there was still enough I could understand or at least query that without I wouldn't have had a clue what to ask my surgeon. I would love you to keep in touch with your journey, how you are feeling and coping, it's a difficult time which is an understatement so I will not say ' try not to worry' it's futile, of course WE shall worry, and as you say the waiting unbearable, you're constantly looking over your shoulder looking at every single mark, spot or blemish that may appear. You don't feel free, you feel under siege. Lets both keep in touch as our diagnosis are so similar. Please take care of yourself..All the very, very best is wished for you. [And for me :-) x

  Thank you so much for your understanding.  I will definitely keep in touch and will be thinking of you and your surgery in the New Year.