Hi Kayleigh,

The swiftness of your appointment is a good thing as it will be removed tomorrow and you will get the results back quicker. It isn't a reflection of the possible seriousness, it's more likely that they had a cancellation and the consultant slotted you in so that you aren't waiting longer than necessary to go ahead with your IVF.

Good luck for quick and clear results. Please let us know how you get on.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Angie, 

Thank you for your message. I am very grateful it's being done tomorrow, as like you said, at least the results will be back quicker. 

I will try to be positive that it's a good outcome and if not, that I have the strength to overcome it. 

Thank you again for your kind words. I will be sure to update when I know more. :) 

Hi Angie,

The mole excision went well today. I watched the whole thing as it was being done. They had to cut a leaf shaped area around the mole to allow for a straight scar up my forearm. The mole itself was only about 5mm but the scar will be about 5cm. Goodness knows how big it will be if I have to go back for more to be taken away if it comes back cancerous. 

Just need to get through the 8 week wait now which is probably going to be the hardest bit. But at least I didn't have to wait for the removal itself and therefore the delay isn't quite as long it could be.

I wondered, when you had your stage 3 melanoma, did you feel that it had spread to your lymphnodes or was there any indication or was it only when you had the results back and you had to have more skin removed and testing of the lymph nodes?

Thanks :)

Kayleigh

Hi Kayleigh,

I'm glad your surgery went well. Waiting for results is definitely the worst part - all you can do is keep busy to help take your mind off it for a while.

My mole was originally removed in 1996 and was diagnosed as a Stage 1 melanoma. I didn't have a Wide Local Excision as my Plastic Surgeon took a large margin in the initial excision. I also didn't have a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy as my melanoma was less than 1mm depth.

Unfortunately it returned in 2009 - I noticed a golf ball sized, painless, hard and immobile lump in my groin. My GP referred me for an ultrasound as he thought I'd ruptured a tendon. Fortunately I was still under my dermatologist for her familial melanoma research and had a six monthly appointment coming up so saw her first. She took one look and arranged for a fine needle biopsy to be carried out. An hour later I was diagnosed with melanoma in the groin node. It was removed 3 weeks later, along with all the other groin nodes and pelvic nodes. Melanoma was also found in a pelvic node. Thankfully I'm still melanoma free but have to be very aware that any new lumps, bumps or symptoms may be the melanoma having returned. The plus side is that, should that happen, treatment for melanoma has progressed leaps and bounds in the last 10 years.

xx

Hi Angie,

Thanks so much for your reply and for telling me your story. It helps to know what to look out for. I'm so sorry to hear that it came back from the initial diagnosis, but so pleased to hear that you were able to beat it and remain cancer free. I hope that is always the case, but like you said, cancer research and treatment has come such a long way and at least you know what to look out for. 

I am currently on annual leave from work which actually isn't the best timing as I could do with being kept busy, but will hopefully find some things to do whilst off to help pass the time. 

Thanks again for your reply. Helps to have supportive people around :)

Kayleigh xx

Hi [@Susan24]‍ and [@AngieT]‍ 

I just wanted to update as promised. 

I got a letter through on Friday 21st asking me to attend the dermatology department at the hospital to receive my results on Tuesday 01st November. I was extremely anxious and unfortunately, I believe that due to the anxiety of waiting for so long, a complication from my IVF egg collection and then catching covid, I had fallen into very poor health with severe debilitating migraines and spasmodic torticolis. I am still unable to function properly which has been extremely distressing. 

I phoned the dermatology department to ask if there was anything they could tell me over the phone but unfortunately they were unable to do so, however there had been an appointment cancellation so I was re-booked to attend Tuesday 25th October. 

I got a call on the Monday to say that the dermatologist was unwell so would I be happy to have my results told to me over the phone. Of course I accepted this and waited anxiously for a call the following day.

I received the call just before 3pm and was told that I had melanoma in situ but that they are confident that with a further removal of some additional skin, they will have got it all and it has not spread. Whilst I would have preferred it not to be anything at all, it was the best possible outcome of cancer that it could be. The dermatologist also confirmed that my wife and I could now continue with our IVF journey. 

I am beyond relieved and now I am trying to focus on getting these severe migraines under control before we focus on expanding our family. :happy:

K xx

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