Hi Tash,

Thank you Sunny for flagging me to Tash's post.

I'm sorry that you have been plunged into the deep end here and been given little information by the hospital. 

A melanoma diagnosis is always a shock & takes a while to get your head around, especially at the speed yours has happened. Once melanoma is diagnosed the next step is always another surgical procedure called a Wide Local Excision (WLE) - this is where a wider margin of tissue is taken from the area to ensure any stray cancer cells have been mopped up, a 'belt & braces' procedure. 

The depth of your melanoma decides what stage you are - did they tell you the depth when they rang you? This link explains the different Stages www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../stages-types

The lymph node procedure that was mentioned is a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) and this is only offered if the melanoma is more than 0.8mm in depth. Patients don't have to have this procedure if they choose not to - this link explains the WLE & SLNB in full www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/.../sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy-for-malignant-melanoma.pdf

It's a lot to take in but please read these links because they explain everything far better than I can in a post. The most important question you need to ask is - What is my Stage & depth of my melanoma? Hopefully you are early Stage (Stage 1) which has a 95% chance of successful treatment by surgical removal. Once the WLE and SLNB (if offered) are done you will receive regular check ups for a while.

Sadly your mother has the incorrect view that melanoma isn't proper cancer, something that many believe until it happens to them. It is proper cancer because, left untreated, it will spread internally & can be fatal. Melanoma is now the 6th most diagnosed cancer in the UK and it has a 15% death rate so it must be taken very seriously. I don't want to scare you or your mother but it may be helpful to show your family this link which shows the reality of a melanoma diagnosis - you need your family & close friends to understand & educate themselves so that they can give you the support you may need www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../melanoma-skin-cancer

All that being said, there is a very, very good chance that your surgery will cure the problem and that you will have no further recurrence in the future. I will send you a friend request so that, should you accept it, I can send you a private message with some more information that you will find helpful.

You are being treated quickly so the odds are in your favour for a very good outcome. Try not to worry or panic and I'm sure all will go well. If you read my profile page you will see that I've had many years with this disease but I'm still here & fighting fit. Good luck & please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Thank you both so much for your lovely supportive replies. I wasn't expecting anybody to pay any notice. I'm extremely grateful. I've also accepted the friend request Angie. What wonderful people you are! X

No worries Tash, I will send you a message x