Melanoma stage 1a - worried about symptoms I've been having since declining the WLE

Hi everyone x

so I was diagnosed in May with melanoma stage 1a. 0.2mm. On my right leg. Just at the side of my knee. 
To my surprise … did not expect that!! 

I was offered the WLE- but declined this due to my derm and the plastic surgeon saying this was a very small melanoma and the chance of return is very very slim. 
I’m not the best around needles and blood … the thought of another procedure was causing me nightmares and countless sleepless nights. My cancer nurse called me almost immediately when she found out I’d declined this … which of course gave me second thoughts as to whether I’d made the right decision. We have another appointment booked in a few weeks - she said this is to make sure I know how to check my lymph nodes etc. perhaps a bit of a telling off too for declining the WLE? 

I am writing this post for some advice. 

over the last few weeks I have had some very strange feelings. Random bursts of sweating. Without feeling too hot? Intense itchy skin… feels like ants are crawling over my bones. All worse at night time which is driving my partner crazy because I’m fidgeting most of the night! Random sharp pains over my torso that make me jump. Rashes over my tummy ( not itchy) 

I have researched and researched these symptoms. With the melanoma diagnosis. I just have a horrible feeling that this isn’t over for me. They say when you know , you know ? 

I am very much looking forward to my appointment in a couple of weeks to hopefully put my mind at ease but in the meantime. Has anyone experienced these things with the same diagnosis ? I’d be so grateful to any replies. 

many thanks to whoever has read all of this. I wish you all a wonderful day. 
Godbless 

  • Hi Kate,

    I haven't experienced any of these symptoms & I don't know any other patient who has, although it definitely needs checking out at your appointment. In fact, the usual symptoms for a progression (spread) of melanoma would be a painless, hard lump in one of the lymph node areas (in your case, either behind the knee or in the groin). Spread further than that would produce symptoms of pain in a specific area rather than across the torso. Sweating, rashes, itching aren't a usual symptom of melanoma but may be something totally unconnected.

    Hopefully the nurse can put your mind at rest & I'm sure she's not going to tell you off about refusing a WLE - she will just want to ensure that you know what to check for in the future. Try not to Google, it's not up to date and it tends to focus on worse case scenarios! Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)