After reading lots of posts I've decided best bet is to put my story out there and hope that one of the knowledgeable and helpful people I've seen can offer some advice.
so I've had swollen lymph nodes and a couple of issues which was put down to nothing.. I've had a x2 groin u/s on lymph nodes. The first showed reactive, the follow up I was told that they were just a bit more obvious and if I've no issues in my legs they're likely nothing. It's prob been 18month/2 years that they've increased in size and number. I've had fatty lumps and cysts removed before and so accepted I'm lumpy...
fast forward to more recent and my best friend had a mole issue, which made me think hmm I should check my bloody one. I get the first gp and he looked it over and wasn't too sure so asked me to come back to a gp who specialised in this with her dermascope etc. I go back and she checked my back over, a couple there made her a tad concerned and wanted to refer me and the one that had niggled she thought was sebhorric and likely they would remove with my referral. It was when I was looking down top off that I remembered a dark mark on my belly which had been growing/I was aware of it ie itchy? Felt there (not sure this makes sense!) and I said "oh actually can you check this". Her whole demeanour changed and she took images as case study with her colleagues (asked permission of course and I'm all for learnings!!). She then said she was very concerned of skin cancer, how it presented and put me on the urgent usual 2ww.
I felt stupid as I know this had been growing over the last 18month/two years. I know this as I am a gym girl and I have progression photos. I also remember burning. so I feel bloody stupid. Especially as even though I burnt, I am very conscious of spf. I wear on my face daily.
I actually was away on holiday and then went to my derm apt. She agreed on the waxy seborhic and froze that off. She was also concerned on belly and one other on my back too. She wanted to remove both there and then but couldn't so I was back in couple of days. I was told the larger one was over 6mm, it's jagged and multiple colours. Basically looks like all the bloody melanoma images (trying hard not to overthink here!!!) it's being biopsied as suspected melanoma, but outside could be severely displastic too. She also checked lymph nodes and she wasn't happy. Another consultant agreed whatever outcome was that I needed further checks. So I was referred back to gp as a back up whilst we waited for biopsy.
gp (my usual one) was great, called me in and wanted to check again himself. He then agreed that they are far bigger and more than US suggested. Still no results (this was 4 weeks in). So he chased results and also wanted to request another US.
Then Monday came and dermatologist called and said she had note from GP and she was going to request a us biopsy on lymph nodes and that I needed bloods. She also explained that my biopsy had been sent to specialist in London. The blood form was being sent but she asked if I could collect the form as it would be quicker and I actually had those done same day. That was to check for metastatic melanoma amongst other things (still trying to not overthink)
I called derm on Friday and left a voicemail to see if any update on my bloods/us request/or results and didn't hear back. The machine message says they check x3 a day and so I guess it's still no news! ( still trying not to overthink)
so then here I am. I do suffer with some anxiety, but it's been relatively in check recently. What's making me nervous is the familiarity of when my husband was diagnosed with cancer (now in remission thankfully)
im also wondering if it's usual for them to request bloods and us if the hosp first biopsy was clear. I know they like to be sure on these things... but my mind can't get the derm call out of my head, she said that we're pushing ahead with lymph biopsy whilst they wait to hear back.
I dont expect answers, I think just getting this in black and white will help me. I know the reality is until we get the results I'm in limbo.
but has anyone experienced similar!?
