Hi Caroline,

Theres no point in me advising to to stop distressing yourself. I think the whole experience is a ghastly shock. Sometimes I couldn’t remember the simplest things. Six months ago I was in the same place you’re in now. It’s beyond comprehension how the mind goes into overdrive but it’s the fact that we are no longer in control. We’re waiting to be seen by this one, that one and the other and we have no say in anything. It’s the fact that one day our lives were happily moving on and suddenly this diagnosis stops everything   Once you’ve accepted these facts, stay calm. Make up your mind that you are not going to allow this “thing” to dictate your life. I remember being very tearful and my husband put his arms around me and hugged me. I knew my situation was having a terrible affect on his mental state too. I went to bed and asked God to please lift this terrible burden from me as I couldn’t cope. I woke up the following morning and the whole nightmare had gone. Gone completely and never returned. I genuinely believe that God will always help us. I’m not saying that he’ll take the cancer away. All I’m saying is that I am free of the hell that had moved into my mind so I have my life back again.  Once you clear your mind, you’ll be able to cope with everything.  
Im sure you’re now wondering what sort of a mad woman I am and I wouldn’t blame you but I’m actually a 75 year old happily married lady who plans to live for years like my mother who was 83 when she died!!  Stay positive. God is there for any of us. You don’t even need to be a church goer. You simply need to speak to him and he will hear you. It’s so sad that people today no longer choose to believe. 
cheers Caroline. Please keep in touch. Stay positive and remember, onwards and upwards. X

Hi Caroline,

I usually come on & reply to melanoma posts asap but I've been away so am just catching up. I'm pleased that you have had a chat with SycamoreGold & GrannyRose & have been able to share your concerns & experience so far. I'm also glad that you don't have to wait too much longer for your WLE & SLNB after such a long, worrying wait. 

I just wanted to say good luck on the 30th & if I can help with any questions or advice please just ask. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi SycamoreGold,

I'm sorry to hear that you too have had such an awfully long wait & have your WLE scheduled for 3rd January. Sadly, waiting times have got longer due to the Covid lockdown, a lack of dermatologists & histologists and the fact that more people are becoming aware of checking their skin & seeking medical help than there ever used to be. 

A SLNB is not offered to Stage 1a patients as research shows the chance of melanoma spreading with such a thin melanoma is minimal (about 1-2%) - they weighed up the invasive procedure (GA, dye & side effects possible from removal of lymph nodes) against the possibility of it having spread to be counterproductive to putting the patient through it. I know that many, like yourself, would prefer to at least have the option but I'm afraid that's the thinking behind it.

As with Caroline, please contact me if I can help answer any questions etc & good luck with your WLE. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Grannyrose,

I'm so happy to hear you are doing well on the immunotherapy - long may it continue.

Angie

Good morning Annie,

I hope you enjoyed your few days away. It’s wonderful to be able to say to you that all is well. I know how very anxious I was when first diagnosed but that’s all in the past and the surgery is long over and behind me too. You are so very kind remaining on the forum and constantly offering advice and support to others     The encouragement is seeing that you are a survivor and that is a joy to see. Keep well, keep up the good work and have a wonderful and joyous Christmas. 
Best wishes,

Grannyrose. X

Thanks Angie.

 It was lovely to hear from you.  The more people that you know who are on a similar journey, the less isolated you feel.  I will certainly keep you posted on my progress.  Have a good Christmas.

Hi GrannyRose. Thank you for your inspiring post.  

 I am calming down, largely because I have a surgery date that is very close. It was the thought that I was going to be left in limbo for three or four months that was making me feel so panicky. In that situation, it’s hard not to foresee the worst scenario.  in a way, I think it’s a defence mechanism, because if you think the worst is going to happen, then there’s a chance it might be better when you anticipate.  For me, that’s worse than thinking everything is OK and receiving a terrible shock, which was what happened when I had my diagnosis.  I didn’t really know much about melanoma staging, treatments, prognoses etc.  Why would I? I’d never had to deal with anything like that before.  Having talked to the medical team, read as much information as I can about the diagnosis aNSW shared my concerns in this group, I feel so much better informed.

Now I feel more of a sense of acceptance.  Either it has spread to the lymph nodes, in which case it can be treated,  I will know that it’s there and something is bring done about it.  Of course, if it hasn’t spread, then that’s great news!  Either way, there’s nothing I can change, other than looking after my own health so that my immune system is as strong as possible. Unfortunately, stress does disrupt your sleeping patterns and I am aware that I’m not getting enough healthy rest, but I’m working on it.

I’m nervous about the surgery, but grateful that I’m being given the chance to have it.

i will definitely keep in touch with all of you through this forum.

Hi Caroline,

I've sent you a friend request so that, if you want to ask/chat about melanoma we can do so by private message. Grannyrose has given you two great melanoma resources to look at - I especially suggest Melanoma Focus as they also have a Melanoma Nurse Helpline that can be rung if you need any answers from clinicians about your treatment etc.

Take care,

Angie

Thanks Angie.  I'm happy to communicate by private message, but not sure how it works, as I'm new to this forum.  Where do I see your request?   ️