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Stage 1a & 1b Melanoma

AimeeJ
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Hi all, 

I was diagnosed in March with 2 melanomas, I recently had the WLE and SLB. I am so anxious about my results, I am one week post surgery and my grion is very sore and hard I am assuming its scar tissue as no infections in my scars. Has anyone else had their lymph nodes removed from the groin? I had 3 removed 2 from right and 1 from the left? How was your recovery? Is the pain and slight swelling normal? 
 

I have my results booked for 30th July, Do you think the melanoma spreading is unlikely? 
One melanoma was 0.3mm and the second was 0.8mm. 
 

I am 29 years old and suffer from health anxiety so any bit of illness I feel whether it be tiredness, back ache, headache good old google convinces me it could be cancer of the brain or bones... I automatically think oh god melanoma may have spread!!

Doctor gave me the option to have SLB which I did but the doctor who diagnosed me did not see to concerned about my melanomas but said they would do it for precuation.

Has anyone here been in my position and can give me some advice? 
 

Thank you, 

Aimee x

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    Hi Aimee,

    I'm sorry you are going through this diagnosis and the worry it brings, especially while waiting for results.

    I haven't had a SLNB as I wasn't offered it when I was diagnosed 1b 25 years ago. I have, however, had a full node clearance from my groin after being diagnosed Stage 3 12 years ago. Unlucky for me I was in the less than 3% of 1b patients that it spreads - my fault probably, because I left it a year before getting it checked out & it had plenty of time for a small cell to break away & lodge in my node, waiting 13 years to reappear! That is why it's very important for people to get their dodgy moles checked out as soon as they find them! I learned the hard way!

    Having said all that, I have been absolutely fine for the last 12 years and am NED (No Evidence of Disease - the melanoma equivalent of remission). 

    Your moles were very shallow - there is next to no chance of your 0.3mm one spreading as it wasn't deep enough to penetrate the next layer which it needs to do to spread. The 0.8mm mole was a little deeper but there is still a 97% chance of it not having spread, especially if you got it checked out quickly. The SLNB was only offered to you because your melanoma was on the very lowest end of the SLNB scale - anything that's 0.8mm or more is eligible for the procedure. Rather than being a treatment it's used to exactly Stage a patient so some patients don't take up the offer & prefer to just be monitored.

    The pain and slight swelling is completely normal whilst recovering. Did they suggest any pain relief? The best thing to take is paracetamol. I was also told ibuprofen alongside paracetamol helps but I hate taking too many tablets so I just took one type. The pain and swelling should start to reduce in another week or two, as long as you try to rest a lot & elevate your legs when sitting down and in bed (on pillows) which will help bring down the swelling. Watch out for any redness and heat as this warns of an infection - if this happens, contact your GP or your Skin Cancer Nurse (if you have been given a contact number) as you will need antibiotics straight away.

    I hope this helps and good luck for your results,

    Angie 

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie, 

    Thank you for your reply, really appreciate it! 
    I am happy to hear you have had the all clear for many years, that is great news. 
     

    I am remaining positive and trying to think of the bigger picture, There were no issues with my moles (I forget what they call it, possibly no ucluration?) when removed apart from Melanoma therefore it is not classed as high risk. 
     

    The mole that was 0.8mm if im being honest im not sure if it was a new mole as I have a lot but it noticed itching and called the GP right away.

    The pain is easing up but its the swelling that is the problem, if it wear knickers it hurts a bit.. i have been taking paracetamol.
     

    I will keep you updated on my results, fingers crossed for good results! 
     

    Aimee x

  • Offline in reply to AimeeJ

    Can I suggest that you either cut the elastic in the leg of any old knickers you have - that will help the pain that the swelling is causing. Or, don't wear any! I have a 15 ins scar from my groin and over my stomach from the clearance of nodes. I found it easier not to wear undies for a few weeks until the scar settled down! Don't be afraid to make any temporary adjustments that make you feel more comfortable xx

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