Hi Ali,

My first advice is - slow down, take deep breaths and steady your heart rate because I can tell from your post that your mind is going at a thousand miles an hour and it will wear you out.

You need to tackle your anxiety before anything else because it can take over & become more of an issue than the medical problem that's caused it. Have you spoken to your GP about it? They may be able to give you something to help. Also, consider counselling if it's becoming unbearable.  You have a few weeks to wait until you get the results so you need to find a way to get through the wait - distraction is a great help so try to do things that will take your mind off the waiting - hobbies, work, meditation, Mindfulness, yoga, singing - anything that calms the mind.

The wait for results can be anything from 6 to 12 weeks depending on the hospital trust involved, so you need to take things one step at a time.

Whilst it's unusual for anyone over 40 to get a new mole, it doesn't mean it's definitely cancerous for everyone. They like to remove them though, to be on the safe side. 

The thing to focus on is that it's been removed now and, if it is melanoma, you will receive further treatment which has every chance of being successful. Don't jump ahead to worse case scenarios because a) that rarely happens & b) worrying yourself sick won't change the results & the anxiety will make you less fit to deal with any further treatment that would be needed if it's melanoma. 

Good luck & please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)