Hi

i had a WLE for stage 1 melanoma in May 2019, on the inside of my wrist. I had 30 stitches and it was very difficult to stretch the remaining skin over the wound. I am still in a lot of pain and have no sensation in many areas around the scar! The area is very tight and pulls, it will hurt all of a sudden like someone in stabbing me with needles! I’ve been told it can take years for the nerve endings to repair and some may ever do so. I have a smaller scar on my right breast also, from a second melanoma but that is tiny in comparison.  I’m okay though andalthough my arm is weaker and painful I get by! I’m sure in time your leg will improve. I now do t have to go back until november2019 but I have already found other sites I need checking. Best of luck to you. 

Hi,

For the skin around the wound have you tried massaging the area, and wound, with Bio Oil? If you do this twice a day it will start to soften the scar and surrounding area a little so that it doesn't feel as stretched. Unfortunately the internal tissues and nerve endings take a long time to settle down. I have a 15ins scar from my groin to my hip and after 10 years I still get the odd nerve pain, although most of the groin area is numb since the op. 

Angie

Hi thanks for your reply, yes I massage it about 3 or 4 times each day with either bio oil of moisturiser, as instructed by my consultant. I think it’s just the fact that I have skinny wrists and no spare skin so it is very over stretched and tight. I can’t bate things touching it lightly either. I’ve just accepted that it’s going to take time and will hurt for a while. It was a hatchett wound so is an odd shape too and unfortunately is right on the area where I would rest my arm. But all of this is better than leaving the melanoma in situ so I’m just grateful it was removed! 

Hello,

I had a wide excision on my leg and lymph node removed 4 weeks ago. Biopsy and excision were clear. Your posts resonated so much with me, so thank you for sharing your experiences! I thought I’d be back to full functioning by now. Today, my scar opened a bit and that was so scary! It’s been 4 months since the first biopsy and although I’m so happy about the outcome and hopeful about the future, I just feel very vulnerable. I thought it was just me finding it hard, but it seems that it’s quite common! All the best to all of you wherever you are in your journey.

Hello Everyone

It is a scary diagnosis when you find out you have Melanoma, While on holiday my Sister noticed the mole at back of my knee had changed, needless to say I got it checked out asap. Had referral from G.P. had biopsy in March, waited 3 weeks for results was told Malignant Melanoma, stage 1b 0..9mm in to margin which was a 2cm margin cut around mole. Had a WLE last week still recovering but it was better than I expected as I didn't need plastic surgery, now it's the waiting game again 4/6 weeks for results. Everyone says it will be ok, don't worry, but until I hear the words all clear I do feel afraid of the future.We are only human & sometimes it can be a scary place that we live in, it is a difficult time in our lives, but I have to think of all the patients staff & people who have lost their lives with Cornavirus & all the patients fighting for their lives that have got it,  & all the marvellous NHS & front line workers. We are still here thank goodness, we are still scared but l hope the outcome will be good for all of us, in the mean time I can only hope my outcome will be a good result I await the results with baited breath.

Hi

this is very similar to me. Mine was a stage 1b 0.9mm too but then they upgraded it to 1.1mm on my thigh. Having WLE and SNB tomorrow and feeling nervous. Seems even more like your on you own at the min with no one being able to go to any appointments with you doesn't it 

Hi 

I know it is nerve racking, I must admit I was nervous as it was under local anaesthetic, because of the Coronavirus they didn't do a SNB for me, they said it would be general anaesthetic,  obviously no staff available, Are you having general?

I did feel a bit on my own as my husband couldn't come with me, but you will find the nurses will be understanding & supportive, also there were 4 of us going through the same thing, keeping our social distances, but all there together, what area is the hospital? 

Good luck I wish you all the best, the results 4/6 weeks is a very anxious time, i have a telephone conversation coming up next month....

Regards

Take Care

It's been done in Hull which is about an hour for me so not to much travelling. It's been done under a geneal as I'm having the biopsy too. I would rather be having a local thow as I know what to expect with that but never had a general before and as much as people say it's so easy with a general it doesn't stop you bring nervous does it. I know loads of people that have had moles removed but no one that's actually been anything so minor really to talk to that gets it. Also not really sure what to expect tomorrow as wondering if there will be many people there like normal or not. 4-6 weeks for results seems so long thow. doesn't it. I don't know if this helps but when I was speaking to the consultant the other week he said he's personally never had a result come back anything other than negative for a WLE. Hope that helps a little?. What's the telephone conversation about if you don't mind me asking? Have you been going to hospital for your appointments.

I know it is very nerve racking but we know however nervous we are it could save your life, it's best to be sure that all clear will be clear, at least you will have peace of mind by having a SNB, if you have a mask & gloves I would wear them going in to the hospital, 

In a way general anaesthetic is good as you wont know properly what is happening, I am sure you will be fine....

That's good news re the Consultant saying WLE come back ok

My telephone conversation is to give me the results over the phone as like you I had to travel to a hospital an hr away in case i needed plastic surgery,  so rather than be at risk with follow up apt, they will discuss it over the phone....

I have a follow up appointment at my local hospital re the 1st biopsy in about 6 weeks time, i have been told they will keep an eye on my for 5 years as follow ups, which isca good thing.

I wish you all the luck, try not to be nervous,( harder said than done) the staff will look after you. Please keep in touch, let me know how you get on.

I have a friend living in Beverley so not too far from you.. lovely area.. i will thinking of you.

Take care

Hi Fenners how did your operation go? I hope all went well & you have had results back if so good I hope.

I have been thinking about you. I get my results next week fingers x all will be well

Take care

Regards

Lana

Hi 

it went ok thanks and yes I got the results the other day, a lot earlier than expected which was was great as they were all clear such as massive relief. My only problem now is a Seroma in my groin which is quite large and uncomfortable but I giesss that's a small price to pay. Got everything crossed for you that your results are clear too xxx

Hi 

it went ok thanks and yes I got the results the other day, a lot earlier than expected which was was great as they were all clear such as massive relief. My only problem now is a Seroma in my groin which is quite large and uncomfortable but I giesss that's a small price to pay. Got everything crossed for you that your results are clear too xxx

So glad all went well for you, do you have to have 3 monthly checkups now at local hospital? 

As you say Seroma small price to pay but at least it can be removed if it gets too bothersome.

You were having a  Lymph node biopsy as well while you were under, I think you said, unfortunately they didn't do that for me, I am just hoping hospital visits will be checking lymph nodes for me...keep in touch 

Take care

All the best

Regards

Lana

Yes, I'm back at hospital next Thursday so thinking that's the start of the 3month checks. 
Seroma is defiantly a small price. I'm sure they will keep a close eye on you.

let me know how you get on 

Claire xxx

Hi, just wondered if anyone has experienced this. Two yrs ago I had a mole removed from lower forearm for stage 2 melanoma. The scar is 6 cm length and my arm looks like a big shark bite.. over the last three months my arm feels tight and swollen and either end of the scar side is now swollen and hard.. I've recently had an ultrasound and mri scan on arm to check fir mets, I've been told over the phone by the nurse that results are

clear but because of covid I've not seen or spoken to tye consultant so no explanation of the results and why now after two years I have hard swelling in my arm and less mobility. Has anyone experienced this at all? I'm very worried. Thank you for any info you can add. 

Hi,

Did you have a Sentinel Node Biopsy where a node(s) is removed to test for spread? The reason I ask is because your symptoms sound like lymphoedema but this only happens if you have had a node(s) removed. 

Failing that I would ring the consultant's secretary & ask for a telephone consultation with your consultant in case it's an infection.

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

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)