Hi Lauren,

I'm really sorry that you are going through all this and the wait for results are taking so long.

I know several melanoma patients in Northern Ireland and sadly the waiting times are very long. This is due to the Health Service being impacted by problems within the Government. 

I really hope you aren't left waiting that long and that the situation improves within your health service.

Angie (melanoma patient)

Thankyou Angie for all of your wonderful support xxx

Hi Sophie,

My heart was in my throat as I was reading this as I am going through a similar thing right now. I am so pleased to hear it was benign you must be so relived.

My appointment with Dermatology is next Thursday and I am bricking it. My lymph node on the same side of the mole has been raised for 4 weeks now so as you can imagine my head is shot to pieces. Praying I have the same outcome as you.

xx

Hi Reyhan,

I’m so sorry to hear you are experiencing something similar. It is really hard to not let your imagination run wild. 

Yes I can imagine - I had convinced myself my swollen glands were to do with it and had begun to peace together the absolute worse scenario. It turns out they were to do with tonsillitis in the end! 

I do hope it works out okay - in the meantime try and distract yourself. I know it’s easier said then done but this process can be prolonged and it doesn’t help to worry yourself sick. There are lots of people on this thread who have been a real comfort and help to me. 

Please let us know how you get on xxx 

Hi Sophie, 

i am so happy for you after reading all your previous posts I can imagine how nervous you were feeling.. I just hope I have the same outcome :( 

No I went for my referral and they told me I would get a letter to have the mole removed but due to covid 19 I could be waiting up to 9months... then two days later I had a call from the hospital asking if I could be down within the hour to have it removed. Then they told me I will have to wait 12 weeks for the results. I assume our health service here in N.ireland isn't doing aswell as yours in England. Many thanks for your well wishes and help. I will keep use informed once I know x 

Hi Angie, 

yes unfortunately I believe this is the case for us in N.ireland. When I first went to the GP they sent an urgent referral and told me I would be seen within two weeks.. four weeks passed and I heard nothing so I rang the appointments line at the hospital and they told me I would have to wait a year to be seen and would only be seen sooner if my GP red flagged by case. Luckily my GP did and I was seen within two weeks back in April.

When I spoke to the consultant they told me I would need the mole removed and tested and I would have to wait between 6-9months for this to happen due to covid 19 but to try not to worry (easier said than done). Two days later I got a phone call from the hospital to ask if I could be down within the hour to have the mole removed and of course I jumped in the car and went straight down.

When they removed the mole at the start of May I asked when I should have the results and they just said it will probably be 12weeks due to covid19. It's been 4weeks and I'm not even sure if I should be expecting a phone call or a letter for my results so I'm just a ball of nerves thinking the worst. But I will keep use informed as soon as I find out and wish you all the very best x x 

Hello everyone, 

This post has been very helpful for me. I am 25 and my boyfriend noticed a new mole on my shoulder/back last Sunday ( 30th August). I sent images to my GP that day and they asked me to give them a call. I called them on Tuesday and went through a series of questions. They told me they would refer me to the dermatologist within 2 weeks. The dermatologist called me on the Friday morning and told me I have an appointment on the following Tuesday (today).

I have started to get a little nervous now as they got me in so quickly and called me a few times on the Friday. I am trying not to worry myself too much, but I am a worrier by nature. It was great to read that other people, like Sophie, were going through the same thoughts and feelings that I am. 

My appointment is in less than 2 hours. Wish me luck! 

Hi Bella 

My results came back as clear too but it has made me think that urgency to get you in doesn't always correlate with the outcome! Even though at the time I didn't think that way at all...!

Hope it goes well! Xx

P.s so glad to hear your results were clear Sophie! I'd been following this thread but hadn't any notifications but just seen the updates.