Hi Louiseandfin,

I'm sorry to hear your GP has taken this long to refer you and I can understand how worried you must be. 

Please don't Google - the information you find is worse case scenario and is well out of date anyway. Melanoma research is moving at speed these days and new treatments are being tested & approved all the time which means it's not as desperate as it once was. 

Can I suggest that any information on melanoma you want to read about is from either this site, Macmillan, the British Association of Dermatologists and Melanoma UK.

The good thing is that you have now been referred under the 2 week rule. Once you see the dermatologist they will have a good idea by looking at it as to whether it's something more serious than a fungal infection and if so, they will arrange to take a biopsy. 

Please try not to think the worst. I know that the year delay is worrying you but it's not necessarily any worse because of the delay. I hope the news you receive is good, but if not we are all here to help you. Please let us know how you get on,

Best wishes,

Angie (Melanoma patient, Stage 3 since 2009) 

Hi Angie, 

Thank You for your reply I'm going out of my mind with worry 're the delay and reading how aggressive it can be.

Can I ask what happened with your diagnosis x

Hi Louise,

Mine wasn't subungual melanoma, it was an existing mole on my shin that had gone almost black. This was 22 years ago when there was no treatment available other than surgical removal. Even though I had left it a year to see my GP the melanoma was still only very thin in depth & I was Stage 1. After 5 years of check ups I was discharged but sadly it returned as a lump in my groin 13 years after first diagnosis. This necessitated all my lymph nodes removing from my groin & pelvis (where another node was affected) and I now have regular check ups. Thankfully I am still clear so I'm hoping that's that but I'm forever watchful.

No doubt you have read the statistics - most patients don't bother with them as melanoma isn't predictable like some cancers and therefore every case is different & might follow a different path. For example, 50% of melanoma patients have the BRAF gene which has mutated (BRAF +) the other half don't (BRAF wildcard). Braf+ is more aggressive, however there is now targeted treatment that works on those patients as well as immnotherapy. Braf wildcard only have immunotherapy that works. I happen to be BRAF+ yet mine hasn't been aggressive because it took 13 years to return from Stage 1 to 3 and I'm still here 9 years later with no evidence of disease (NED) - that's how the stats don't always reflect reality for every individual.

The main thing is to get through the wait without driving yourself crazy. If you don't already practise it try yoga or mindfulness - anything where meditation is involved. Also keep busy with work and/or hobbies you enjoy. I do genealogy and it's saved my sanity over the years, delving into the lives of my ancestors.

I hope your appointment comes through quickly. Make sure you take someone with you as it's very easy to forget any questions you wanted to ask, or to take everything in that's said to you if you are alone. Good luck & let us know how you get on,

Angie x 

Thankyou Angie and I'm so pleased you have the all clear. Your response has been very helpful and I do appreciate it xx

Omg I have just had surgery for the exact same thing. Can you advise me on this as I am terrified of lymphediemia!! Thanks x 

Hiya everybody ..I am having a big toe looked at under nail black blue and brown fir over 4 months no recollection of injury? It throws and tingles I have had antibios incase it was an infection but that was over phone with gp (covid) grr...I saw gp face to face and within 2 hours she had me an appointment at hospital tomorrow:0 what should I expect?? Will they biopsy first appointment 

? I have read all your brave posts and hope my outcome will be good x

Hi

I am a week post Biopsy.  My first appointment with dermatologist was just to look.  They called in a plastic surgeon while I was at that appointment and they decided I would have half thumb nail removed and punch Biopsy.  They took photos and I had x-ray of my thumb.  When I went for biopsy, whatever it is,  had grown quite a bit during my 4 week wait.  So they have taken off my whole thumb nail ( its was very  painful but easing now) and done a biopsy  of the area.  Now awaiting results which I'm told will be 4 weeks.  I am hoping your results are Good.    Good luck.

Hi

I am a week post Biopsy.  My first appointment with dermatologist was just to look.  They called in a plastic surgeon while I was at that appointment and they decided I would have half thumb nail removed and punch Biopsy.  They took photos and I had x-ray of my thumb.  When I went for biopsy, whatever it is,  had grown quite a bit during my 4 week wait.  So they have taken off my whole thumb nail ( its was very  painful but easing now) and done a biopsy  of the area.  Now awaiting results which I'm told will be 4 weeks.  I am hoping your results are Good.    Good luck.