Hi,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Has your dad's consultant not offered any treatment other than surgery?

Although it's unusual not to remove it from the skin, they may offer him one of the drug treatments in the hope it will help stop it spreading internally. He should have been given a contact number for the cancer nurse - either, contact them with dad's permission or, if he has an upcoming appointment, go with him so that you can ask questions & you know what is happening.

Meanwhile, have a word with dad's GP and see if the practice nurse can regularly dress the melanoma to keep it clean & dry. They should really get involved due to your dad's age & situation.

Good luck & best wishes to your dad - please let us know how you get on.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009) 

Hey, thanks so much — really appreciate it.

Yeah, we did the biopsy and they said it’s too difficult to remove because of where it is (near the ear and eye), plus his age (he’s 89) and overall condition. So they’re not going down the surgery route.

We’ve now got palliative care set up at home - initiated , so we’re ready for the next stage. The good thing is he’s not really in pain and still has a good appetite.

He’s lost most of his mobility though, so we’ve got a hoist at home to help move him. Nurses come every second day, and I’ve been doing the dressing changes in between — learning as I go.

The wound itself is pretty big now (around 100mm), raised, and bleeds a bit. It smells pretty bad at times, but I understand that’s part of it. Just trying to keep it clean and under control as best we can.

Thanks again for reaching out — means a lot.

Hey, thanks so much — really appreciate it.

Yeah, we did the biopsy and they said it’s too difficult to remove because of where it is (near the ear and eye), plus his age (he’s 89) and overall condition. So they’re not going down the surgery route.

We’ve now got palliative care set up at home- initiated , so we’re ready for the next stage. The good thing is he’s not really in pain and still has a good appetite.

He’s lost most of his mobility though, so we’ve got a hoist at home to help move him. Nurses come every second day, and I’ve been doing the dressing changes in between — learning as I go.

The wound itself is pretty big now (around 100mm), raised, and bleeds a bit. It smells pretty bad at times, but I understand that’s part of it. Just trying to keep it clean and under control as best we can.

Thanks again for reaching out — means a lot.