Hi Dizzidancer. Welcome to the forum that no one ever really wants to join.

My thoughts are with you at this worrying time.  

Please be aware that we're not doctors here, and I have NO medical qualifications. I happened to come through prostate cancer myself some years back, and I've had a few scares since.

Since you ask, a stage 3A melanoma has spread microscopically to up to three adjacent lymph nodes, but it has not spread more generally. The appropriate treatment is surgery to remove a wide area around the location of the tumour, and removal of the affected lymph nodes. You may also be offered radiotherapy and other forms of treatment, but I can't say for certain whether you will or not. 

There's no easy way to say this: stage 3 is serious, but stage 3A is the least serious with the best chance of recovery.  However, you will need to be monitored well into the future, and of course this will mean that you get constant worrying reminders. That is the lot of the cancer patient and the worry never completely goes away.  I have a PSA test coming up next month, and although I've been clear for 7 years, I feel it beginning to nag on my mind even now. 

Waiting for treatment and results is agony. I found acupuncture treatment from a Chinese doctor to be very helpful, but I had to pay privately.  There are also any number of relaxation and mindfulness videos on YouTube.  I sincerely suggest you don't use Google as it will only increase your stress; most of us old hands here have frightened ourselves silly at some time.

Thank you so much for taking the time to message.  I’ve already battled a pituitary brain tumour and although it was benign I still had all the same feelings as would be expected but this time it’s really real if you see what I mean? It’s not benign, it could kill me is all I keep thinking and the guilt of putting my husband & kids through it all again. Arrrrggggghh can I stamp my feet and say it’s not fair? 

Just thought I'd call in again because my granddaughter has just come in with slapcheek confirmed. It made me think of you.

I may go for surgery in a couple of weeks and we seem to be on a similar timescale so far so I'll keep comparing notes if we can ramble along.

David

Oh blimey David!!  Apparently though it’s contagious before they get the blooming rash so you don’t even know they’ve got until the rash appears.

apparently spread by coughing & sneezing so working in a school it just kept going round & round.

we have 28 in our class & there were 10 cases before the Easter holidays and another 3 confirmed since we came back! 

Yes I’ve got a Macmillan skin cancer specialist nurse & I know it sounds silly, but I feel like I don’t want to ‘bother’ her with silly questions.  I know it’s what they’re there for but it’s just me.

im glad to get a positive grip on things too

thanks 

Another teachers perspective! Thanks it’s good to know you’re here but not, if you understand?  I just cannot deal with the stress at the moment and need time to get my head together

Thanks 

As I said we all deal in different ways.  Good if you can get your head together in the quiet of home. Even though I’m a strong person, I’ve had a difficult six months with hubby Ill and brother passing away. This was just a final depth and I couldn’t cope. Whilst waiting for biopsy results I really flipped. Saw my GP and he oersuaded me to take some low dosage anti depressants. Reluctantly I kept to the minimum one a day but they got me through. I saw him again after the results and he again suggested some more long term ones. I took one then decided it wasn’t for me so I didnt take any more. I’ve had some  dark moments but I’ve got through them with the help of others here.

i got my op date today. 17 May.. another wait but I feel more positive now I have a timeline. 

I sent you a friend request so if you want to say something not on the  open forum then accept it and I can send a private message to you..  no problems if you don’t want to take it up. I’ve had a few friends like this who have really helped me through those dark moments when all I wanted to do was  rant...but not on the open forum.

Thanks I’m not sure how to find the friend request x

Hi Dizzidancer,

I saw you were having a bit of trouble finding the friend request Sundial has sent you so I just wanted to share some information from our help using the forum section which explains how to find and accept a friend request.

I hope this helps :)

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thank you I found it 

Out of surgery.  Still in hospital and in lots of pain.  The  Profressor said its a nodular melanoma, one of the worst apparently! 

In pain and feeling very low today - shouldnt have googled nodular melanoma! 

In pain and feeling very low today - shouldnt have googled nodular melanoma! 

Lots of pain relief on board and starting to feel much better - seeing my nurse wednesday x

Hi Pat

I saw you had posted on my intro so I've come here to respond.

We're almost walking this together hand in hand.

I had my surgery on 8th and have now practically recovered altho I'm not allowed to do much and I have a dead area surroundedby excrutiatingly sensitive skin.

My MDT is tomorrow morning so I may get a call soon.

I'm pleased you are feeling better and pleased I didn't get slap cheek.

I had my little holiday earlier and if you look at my profile, I'm keeping a timeline there.

Fingers toes and anything else crossed for us both.

David

Hi again

Just wondering if you have had any news.

I hope your primary site is now nicely healed and that your arm is much better.  Have you returned to work?

I'm still waiting to be called but have no worries.

David

Sorry been quietly very ill as the wound is infected! On antibiotics and being monitored closely by my CNS.  Results due on 4th 

Oh Pat

I'm so sorry to hear this. I was a little worried for you. I had three weeks of strong antibis so have been lucky. You seem to suffer unfairly. 

I'm wishing you a speedy recovery.

Is it your pathology results on the 4th?

Kind regards

David

Yes meeting the professor and getting results 

I think I am tomorrow at 11.30. Best of luck to both of us.

Everything crossed for us David x

Is your infection under control? I've just watched ambulance and have all sorts of horrible thoughts running through my head. 

I should look at something more like spring watch. 

Must get a good night's rest for tomorrow. 

Hope your weekend passes swiftly and calmly. 

David

It’s starting to respond but has broken down in three places!  

A typical set back in my life!