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Melanoma diagnosis

Moonlighy
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Hi

i was diagnosed with melanoma on Tuesday. I can’t even remember the thickness so  waiting for full details. I know cancer cells were also found in the  good tissue. 
They immediately ordered MRI and CT which I was lucky and got a cancellation for those on Wednesday. 
absolutely terrified I know they will be doing a wider excisio with skin graft or flap, still not healed fully from the first excision as it was in an awkward place! 
the delay in finally getting my mole removed has been a long time as I was passed around trying to find the right place for the excision to be done. Going back to December   I then had the truma of my mum passing away in February.

life is a lot to deal with at the moment. 
S 

  • A very warm welcome to the forum S, although I'm sorry to hear you were diagnosed with melanoma last week, and that your mum passed away in February.

    This must be a very difficult time, but our members are here for you S and I'm sure those who have been on this journey will be along soon to share their experiences and advice.

    We have some information about melanoma and the treatment you'll be having on our website, but if you have any further questions or would just like to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses, you can give them a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They're very knowledge and will do all they can to support you and put your mind at ease whilst you wait for your operation.

    Do keep posting if you find it helps S, and remember that we sending all our strength and support your way.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Steph

    Thank you for the reply. Hoping I will have details of next stage soon.  So terrifying as my melanoma was not in an obvious place so had no idea it was there

    Everything is so hard but thank you for your response. 

    Sara 

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    Hi Sara,

    I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis - you will still be in shock from the news & naturally very worried, especially after the delay in diagnosis and your mum's passing.

    If you haven't been offered a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy at the same time as the Wide Excision, it sounds like your melanoma was possibly Stage 1b (below 1mm in depth). This means that, even with cells being found in the surrounding tissue, it's still been caught reasonably quickly and the odds of it spreading or recurring are approximately 3%.

    Hopefully the wound from the WLE will heal better than your initial surgery and the results will be clear. You will know more after the scan results are discussed so try (I know it's hard) not to dwell on it all. You will be in good hands now & hopefully it's been stopped in it's tracks.

    Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

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