Hi Dons, I had a wide local excision in my leg and sentinel node removal 10 weeks ago following a very rapid referral. Photo, 2 week referral, mole removal, confirmed stage 2 then further surgery. Everyone was brilliant. It was a longer recovery for me with the WLE- a couple of days of lying on the sofa and taking max pain killers (make sure you ask for strong painkillers to take home- I had dihydrocodeine which I used for a couple of days and then cut back to nights only). The pain was worse than the mole removal but not excruciating! I was still able to watch the tennis so not at death's door. I was knocked for 6 though so make sure you have support? It took me a couple of weeks to get back on my feet, am lucky that I can work at home, I cut my hours back, obsessed about dressings :laugh: didnt drive for a couple of weeks though largely due to the lymph node removal being at the same spot as a seatbelt, didnt have the energy to walk more than to the end of the road and back at 2 weeks. Everytime I was tired I rested or slept. I am now walking, but not at normal levels (mountains and 12-15 miles) and swimming. My recovery was hampered by getting Covid via my son 3 weeks after surgery just as I was getting back on my feet. The irony given the double vaccination and isolation/infection control measures I put in place! The good news is that I was only ill for a few days with Covid but very tired and I still get tired which could be a combo of surgery +Covid or the latter. For anyone reading this do not be put off being vaccinated!! I didnt end up in hospital with Covid which given my immune system was probably weak, I say power to the vaccine. I am now walking 7-10 miles every weekend and swimming twice a week. Clothing if out for a long time-  boat necked vest with linen shirt, hat, factor 50 sun cream. I put the latter on as part of a normal morning routine and have it in every bag/ around the house/at work. Talk to your nurse about what you can and can't do, my view is don't let melanoma imprison you but do take a risk based approach. Have had all clear on lymph node btw so back to stage 1a! Hope it all goes well for you!

Hi,

You have already been given some good advice from Tracy. I just want to add, for the moment, not to get too hung up on sun esxposure - you will find a way to feel safe after the first summer. Clothing - try to make it close weave cotton - linen isn't good because it's open weave & UV can penetrate it - denim is best or a man made fibre like polyester or even buy some UV Factor 50 protected clothing, especially for the beach/swimming - lots of companies like Mountain Warehouse are carrying more choice & it's not as expensive as it once was.

If in & out for a few minutes at a time (running after your children) don't worry, it's for longer exposure that you need to ensure you are adeqately dressed and/or use at least Factor 30 on uncovered areas. A hat & sunglasses are also important. You only need to do this between April & October in this country as the UV level isn't as strong in the winter but I like to walk miles so I always wear Factor 30 on my face in the winter (I'm usually covered up against the elements the rest of the time). The trick is to watch out for your skin turning pink - if it does, you need to cover up.

I'm going to send you a friend request - if you accept it I can send you some further information by private message. Good luck with the WLE and scans & please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi,

I hope you are recovering well from Covid and your melanoma surgery. I hope you don't mind but I will also send you a friend request so that I can pm you some information that you may find helpful. Take care,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thank you both for your tips. I'm a bit of a worrier as I'm sure we all are. 
when I had my mole removed the dermatologist took a bit of skin off around the mole, it felt a bit tight before I didn't experience any pain just a bit cautious but it took me 2 weeks to get back to working out but nothing strenuous. This time he will be taking off 1cm round the scar so will be more uncomfortable and may take a little longer to recover. 
I am due to have a scan and biopsy done in groin not sure if I'm needing to recover from that as well? Let's hope they can do it both same time. 

I hope you're recovering from covid well [@Tracy2021]‍ ive been lucky we have had it in our house as yet but kids are now back at school It's good they haven't found any melanoma in your lymph nodes and they have put you at 1a  

I've accepted your friend request [@AngieT]‍  I've seen a few posts you've commented on you've done amazing and I found you very knowledgeable with melanoma. 

just another question have any of you had melanoma run in your family as I'm the only one in mine? 
Ive limited who knows my diagnosis as I haven't told my children as I don't want them to worry especially my eldest as he's in his final year for his GCSEs. 

Hi Don,

I'm assuming that the scan and biopsy will be a Fine Needle Biopsy (the scan shows them where to apply the needle). If so, it's not too invasive and doesn't cause any problem afterwards.

I'm the only one in my family diagnosed with melanoma. However, since ten, my brother and his two adult children have all had dysplastic moles removed and we were all under the same dermatologist. We all took part in her familial melanoma research for a short time. My niece was genetically tested but didn't have the gene they were looking for. 

Angie x

I have just recently been diagnosed with melanoma stage 1a and I don't think I am coping. I have three young children and I am petrified I am going to leave them without a mother. I also have over a hundred moles and I am now worried that I could have many more melanomas. I would love to chat to some people who are in a similiar position to me as this is feeling like a very lonely place to be in. I feel like I am living a nightmare and am feeling very low. Will life ever feel the same again? 

Hi,

Yes, life will be the same again. Stage 1a is a very early stage cancer and there is a 97% chance that, after a wide local excision, you will never have any further problems.

Having a lot of moles will make you anxious but please know that the odds of having another primary melanoma (not connected to the initial melanoma) are very, very small. You may benefit from Mole Mapping where they make a record of what moles you have, where they are and any that are above a certain size. They can then be monitored for any changes over time. Only a few areas of the UK offer mole mapping on the NHS so it's a question to ask your consultant or nurse. You can go privately - I believe it's done annually but I don't know how much it costs. Either ask for a recommendation from your consultant or nurse or search the Internet for those in your area that provide this service.

Meanwhile, I will send you a friend request so that I can send you a private message with some more information. Time will help you deal with your diagnosis easier, believe me.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi 

Iv just been diagnosed yesterday I was told they caught it early that it's was 0.6mm deep , I am been sent for a WLE but I am petrified it has spread and I am going to die , I I'm 33 and in the middle of an IVF cycle , so it couldn't happen at a worse time . 

All Advice welcome x

Your story is exactly the same as mine, my youngest child wasn't even 1 year old when I was diagnosed, I had exactly the same thoughts and fears as you do. All I can say is, I think this is perfectly normal to feel this way in the early days, it's a massive shock to the system. I am 18 months on now and I still have days when I struggle but most days I rarely think about it, or if I do it's just a quick thought. Be kind to yourself.