Stage 1 melanoma

Hello all,  

 

I'm a newly diagnosed stage 1a melanoma patient. I got my results yesterday and was very shocked. got to have a wide excision op in the coming weeks they said 4-6 weeks? This seems very long wait to be removed so I am panicking if I do have cells there will they spread in that time. I haven't been reading google as the stories will end up frightening me.

I was in total shell shock yesterday but today feel okay. I am only young just hope the excision doesn't show anything. I then have to have 3 month check up once a year. Will life be the same again. 

just wondering if anyone can help me if they have been through this. 
 

Thank you all. 

  • Welcome to Cancer Chat, emted, although I'm sorry for the reason that brings you here.

    I hope other members who are either dealing or have health with melanoma will stop by soon to share their experiences with you and offer support. Until then and since you have just been recently diagnosed, I thought I might leave you with some information we have on our website about stage 1 melanoma, you can find more by clicking here. Also, there is this other page about follow-up appointments which might be of use.

    With best wishes,

    Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi. 

    I hope you are well.

    I feel we may be in similar positions. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Melanoma on Tuesday. Luckily my WLE is Following Thursday. 
     

    how was your WLE? 

  • Hello! 
     

    Yes I'm doing good thank you. I hope you are doing the best you can.

     

    so sorry to hear about the news, I am still awaiting my WLE! Having it 26th February so not long to go now. Hoping this long wait hasn't caused me anymore harm. We're you stage 1a or 1b may I ask? Don't worry if you don't feel comfortable answering 

     

    best wishes 

  • Yes, every mole, every twinge in my body I think the worst. My nurse specialist has said it's been caught early trying to reassure me, but I think it must be natural to feel this way. It's the big scary C word.

     

    Diagnosed 1a 0.4mm. Where's your location? 
     

    best wishes

  • Hi,

    I'm glad you have a date for your WLE. The wait will have very little, if any, adverse effect as your original excision took all the melanoma away. A WLE is really a belt & braces procedure, just to ensure there is no cancer cell that's broken away into the surrounding tissue. It's quite rare for a WLE to find a lurking cell, particularly in a Stage 1 patient, so try not to worry about it.

    As I've mentioned on virgo22's post, you've caught it early so the odds you will have no further problems are very much in your favour.

    Good luck,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

  • Yes, I am absolutely covered in moles everywhere so not good!

    yes I am so glad I went to see the dermatologist. I haven't been in years for a mole check up. Yes the C word is scary hopefully it will all be over soon. 

    mine is the same, my mole was on my back right on the muscle so when I had it removed I couldn't move my arm without a tug so not looking forward to that again. 
     

    Best wishes xx 

  • Hi Angie 

     

    thank you so much for taking the time to comment on this post, I really appreciate it. That is all good news and reassuring. I'm hoping after this next part it will all be over for me. It's just the waiting around that's sending me a bit crazy at the moment. 
     

    I hope you are doing well, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. 
     

    stay strong 

    Xxx