Hi JK,

I'm sorry you have this diagnosis but I'm glad it's Stage 1b which, as your consultant says, has a 90+% chance of not spreading. The Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) and Wide Local Excision (WLE) will hopefully come back clear & then you will get regular checks for a period of time. I know many Stage 1 patients who have had no further problem - because of this they rarely stick around on the forum but quite rightly get on with their lives. I stick around because I was one of the unlucky ones that was Stage 1b many years ago & then it returned 13 years later - I am now Stage 3 but I'm still fit & healthy 10 years after surgery. I was one of the unlucky 7% who have a recurrence or spread but I'm lucky to have not had any further problem up to now.

Also, new treatments for melanoma have been showing promising results so the landscape of melanoma treatment and survival is far better than it was 5 years ago. So although downhearted don't lose your positivity as the odds are definately in your favour. Good luck with your surgery and please keep us updated.

Angie