Hi Kirsty,

I can totally understand your anxiety. I had a Stage 1 melanoma on my shin removed 24 years ago. Thirteen years later I found a lump in my groin - a fine needle biopsy confirmed it was the melanoma that had returned in the node. I had a full clearance of nodes from my groin & pelvis (melanoma was also found in a pelvic node) and I was then monitored regularly.

That was 11 years ago & I'm still here, fighting fit and with no evidence of melanoma. I also know someone else, like me, who is 12 years Stage 3 & is fit & healthy. 

It's a traumatic time if you are found to have melanoma in your node(s) but the good thing is that treatment has moved apace since your melanoma diagnosis - Stage 3 patients are now offered adjuvant drug therapy which helps to stop a recurrence - it's showing great results so, in my consultant's words, it's not the end of the world.

Obviously there is every chance that your swollen node isn't cancerous & I really hope that is the case but don't panic & think the worst if it is melanoma. With good treatment & support you can get through this. I will send you a friend request - if you accept it we can chat by private message which hopefully will help you. Don't Google unless you are looking at the recognised websites like this CRUK website or Macmillan or the British Association of Dermatologist. Information on Google is old & doesn't reflect the change in treatment & good stats over the last few years.

I hope you aren't waiting too long for your scan/biopsy & crossing fingers for you that all is OK. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)