Hi Louiseandfin

I wondered what the outcome of your appointment was as I too am waiting for an appointment next Monday for possible Subgungual Melanoma (2 week urgent referal). 

Thanks

Hi there

Apologies I have only just seen this so I hope your appointment went ok?

I saw the specialist 10 days ago, he took some name clippings for testing and referred me for a fast track plastic surgeon appointment. The wait was hell but I saw the plastic surgeon and the results from my nail clippings showed NO fungal. I immediately went into meltdown. 

The dr advised he will be making 2 incisions on my thumb to peel back my skin, nail and some of my nail bed. He said there is a chance it's melanoma but he's since lots that are benign so again, more waiting. The procedure is next Thursday, he did say they sometimes have an idea once the skin is peeled back, however, he did say I'm not showing any sign of Hutchinsons which is a positive to cling to. So it's an anxious 10 days now. My Dr has advised me to take a week off work after the procedure as it's quite painful if the paracetamol wears off once the local anaesthetic has gone and has stated I shouldn't drive either. I will keep you posted. Let me know how your doing.

xxx

Hi Louise,

I hope you manage to keep yourself busy over the next few days to keep your mind off things. I also hope the surgery & results bring you good news. Look after yourself while you are recovering & let us know how you get on xx

Hi Angie

i had the biopsy yesterday, it's not pleasant at all, on quite a bit of pain relief and my arm is in a sling to keep the thumb raised. He said he's fast tracked the biopsy to pathology so just a waiting game now, the surgeon felt confident about a benign result, however I am aware that the results is the only way to tell, so I'm feeling optimistic. It's either going to be a fabulous Xmas or the worst Xmas ever - fingers crossed xxx

Hi Louise,

You must be feeling pretty sore but at least the surgeon has given you something positive to focus on. I hope you aren't waiting too long for the results and that they bring you good news. Rest up for now & try & enjoy the run up to Christmas. Please keep us posted. xx

Hi Angie Just got back from the hospital, I have MM. I have a CT scan booked, lymph nodes biopsy and amputation for early Jan. It's PT3A (what does that mean) she said it's mid range but treating it as high. I'm floored xx

Hi Angie Just got back from the hospital, I have MM. I have a CT scan booked, lymph nodes biopsy and amputation for early Jan. It's PT3A (what does that mean) she said it's mid range but treating it as high. I'm floored xx

Hi Louiseand fin,

So sorry to hear your news, especially at this time of year, however don't panic. I've accepted your friend request & I will send you a private message. Meanwhile, I'm a little confused as to your stage of PT3A. If it's T3A that means the melanoma is between 2 & 4mm in thickness (depth) - T3, and the A means it's not ulcerated (which is good). I don't know what the P refers to though. Did the consultant give you anything in writing, such as your histology report? If so, it may sound like gobbledydook but I can work out what it means. 

I will send you a pm,

Angie x

Hi,

I have been referred to dermatologist and is panicking if it’s melanoma, please can anyone let me know how you got on?

Edited on Tuesday, 22/01/2019 - 21.02p.m by Moderator Steph. Photograph removed by moderator in line with Cancer Chat’s terms and conditions.

Hi Louise,

My wife is waiting for results, so your post chimed with me. It is heartbreaking for anyone, but with a young child, it must be devestating. How have you been?

Sorry to hear your wife is waiting for results, is hers Acral/subungual also?

I'm doing really good considering, having treatment etc but feeling positive 

Thanks for replying, Louise. She has to visit a specialist next Friday, and Subungal is suspected, but I think she has convinced herself it is bad news, so everything is a little fraught at the moment. Do you expect the specialist to take a biopsy, if they see fit, on the first appointment, or is there yet another wait.?

Hi worried hubby

I have sent you a friend request so you can private message me if you wish to do so?

Is this appointment the 2 week fast track appointment to see the dermatologist or has she seen the dermatologist and is now seeing a plastic surgeon? If she is seeing the plastic surgeon for the first time, at this stage they will discuss the next steps re biopsy and what they will do.

How long has she had the mark and is it also on her thumb?

The odds are good re acral/subungual in the fact it is extremely rare, however, I was an unlucky one and I am stage 3B at present but I'm happy to talk things through and share my experience or answer questions based on my experience if you want, again, you can message me privately or here its whatever suits you best.

Hope to speak soon and stay off Google, its extremely outdated and the stats are very old and do not include all the amazing treatments now

Hi Louiseandfinn

How has your treatment been for you? I hope you are as well as you can be. 

Iv a biopsy on Saturday on my thumb, I have a similar timeline to you except my appointments have been delayed due to having a baby. 

 Could I trouble you to ask how your biopsy and recovery was. But concerned about nappy changes and holding my 4 month old. (Daft, I know)

It was impossible to ask my consultant questions as my autistic 4yo wouldn’t leave my side and was getting into everything. How long did you wait to recieve your results, were they over the phone or face to face? How much of an amputation did you have? 

Warm regards 

xxxx

Hi there

I have sent a friend request if you want to PM me xx

I too would like to know how you managed after biopsy.

i am currently waiting for the 2week referal. 

I noticed the line on my thumb at the weekend but have no idea how long its been there.

i gave birth to premature twins 3weeks ago so been abit busy with hospital visits etc to bother taking care of myself. So when i noticed it and googled(stupid i know) i then pooped myself and got to the dr asap!

i cant stop looking at the line. Im so worried about it as google gives all the great results

with the stress from the twins and then this on top im really not coping well.

Hi Gyerb11,

Wow, you really do have your hands full - I'm sorry you now have this worry on top of everything else.

Subungal melanoma (Acral Lentiginous melanoma) is not common so there is every chance that yours will be found to be something like a fungal infection or trauma. If you can't remember having seen it until very recently, there is every chance that it's nothing serious - if it does transpire it's melanoma then you have caught it quickly so that's in your favour. 

Please don't google - it's way out of date and gives only worse case scenarios. If you want to learn more about melanoma the best websites are this one (CRUK), Macmillan, NHS and the Primary Care Dermatology Society. 

I hope you aren't waiting too long for an appointment. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)