Hello Ruth and welcome to Cancer Chat,

I am sorry to hear you have just been diagnosed with melanoma. It is normal to feel confused in your situation and I can understand why you were frustrated that there was no previous record of a referral to get your mole removed. Do you know when you are having your general biopsy?

We have some detailed information on our website on the sentinel lymph node biopsy which you can read here. It sounds like you could do with talking to someone about how you are feeling and how to prepare before the biopsy. I hope you will meet others on the forum who have been through this before and that they will be along soon to reassure you and help you feel a little better. Feel free also to give our nurses a call on this free number (if you live in the UK) 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

We're all here for you anytime you need to talk. Do let us know how things develop for you if you get a chance!

Best wishes,

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Ruthn123.

General anaesthetic is nothing to worry about. I had one just six months ago, and I had a chat with the anaesthetist a few hours before I went under. He pointed out that the most dangerous part of the day was already over - I'd reached the hospital safely. The GA was a lot safer than the car journey to get there!!

The actual GA itself is pretty cool with modern anaesthetics. They use a drug called Propofol (or "Milk of Amnesia") to put you under. It's injected into a vein in the back of the hand. The anaesthetist might warn you it's going to happen, or might just do it. Either way, it's so rapid that you're back in the recovery room before you know what's happened. There's no counting down, no black veil descending, nothing dramatic or frightening. Bang, and you've woken up in a different room. It took me about five minutes after waking before I felt completely normal, but by that time the nurse had made me a cup of tea (the first of several) and plied me with a packet of biscuits (also the first of several). So, not a bad experience at all and I'd do it again if I had to. (Although there are easier ways of getting tea and biscuits). 

Regarding your teeth, tell the anaesthetist and if they have to intubate you then they'll take the necessary care. It shouldn't be a show stopper. 

Thank you for your replies you've helped settle my nerves a bit.

I went to my appointment on Tuesday and got to go back on 16th (when my original excision scar healrd more slight infection again) hopefully start getting biospy appointment date or referal then. Been told because of my age and depth of melanoma ill be getting ct scan and mri scan as well. Been told ill get scans every 6 months and skin checks every 3 months.

Still worried but can't do nothing about it at the moment so going to not let it get to me .

Thanks again for responds

Ruth