Hi Libby,

sorry to know about suspected lesion. It's very natural to feel anxious and worried. Let me assure you probability of melanoma diagnosis is very low. Still lower at your age.

i had exactly similar story where I noted a black line on my toe nail which kept on growing for 6 months and my old nail is lifted. I was referred to a specialist and got it biopsied last week. Regarding biopsy, since it's on nail, it needs to be done by specialist. Injection will be painful but later procedure doesn't feel at all once Anasthesia sets in. My biopsy was done under local Anasthesia which is usually the procedure. I'm awaiting the results.
it will be good to go prepared for the biopsy and it doesn't take more than an hour.

 Let's think positive that it's less likely to be a cancerous. Another thing that reassures me is noting it early. So well done for observing it and going to your doctor. In less likely situation,  where if it is malignant, it is god to detect it early and get treated asap. Hope you speak to someone - family/ friends / GP to help you cope with anxiety and be more positive about early diagnosis.

 It is hard. 

 My best wishes for you. Hope this helps. 
kind regards,

xxxx

Thank you so much for your lovely reply. I instantly feel a little bit better. I have lots of friends and family around me but they really don't know the right words to say to me which is understandable. It's hard for someone to understand when they aren't going through it themselves. Luckily there hasn't been much change in the line since I first noticed it and I'm otherwise extremely healthy with no other symptoms. Fingers crossed all will be okay and I'm sending well wishes your way too. Please keep me updated. We're in this together xxxx

Hi Libby

 I'm glad my post helped and you are feeling better. It's great to know you have lots of friends who can support you. Yes it's difficult for them to understand if they haven't been through it. 
Having no change in line is a good sign and let's hope it's nothing sinister.

 Thanks you for your kind reply and wishes. I feel better to know I'm not alone here :) 

Good luck.

xxxx

I have my biopsy on 17th December. I'll let you know how it goes. 
 

it definitely is reassuring knowing we aren't alone <3 

i'm so glad I found this forum because I was feeling so lost before.

all the best xxx

Hi Libby

Hope you are well. I havenot got my biopsy reports yet but I have been referred to a specialist BCC nurse clinic for my appointment on 28th January. I do not know what it means, but hoping it to be okay.

I am trying to find out. I also wonder if there's anyone else who can guide me with this.

tahnks.

Hi Libby

Hope you are well. I havenot got my biopsy reports yet but I have been referred to a specialist BCC nurse clinic for my appointment on 28th January. I do not know what it means, but hoping it to be okay.

I am trying to find out. I also wonder if there's anyone else who can guide me with this.

tahnks.

I have my biopsy this Thursday and I am so so anxious about the procedure. Any tips on how to relax? 
 

hows everything with you? 
 

x

Hi Libby 

things are fine with me thanks, my wound is healing. It takes really long time and must be kept dry .

 Thankfully my biopsy reports are normal and pigme Was due to haemorrhage, no cancer.

 About biopsy only injections-3/4 are painful rest you won't feel anything when they cut. 
most importantly remember to take very good pain killers ( codein etc) because it does pain after anaesthesia wears off.

good luck, my best wishes for you

Libby

 it's very natural to feel anxious. If you want, take someone with you for moral support. Just remember chances of cancer are very low and it's done just to make sure and save further trouble. I practice deep breathing when I feel more anxious. 
you should be fine. Take care!

Oh I'm so happy for you. You can finally relax and look forward to Christmas! How long did the biopsy roughly take? I don't want to be in there for hours :( thank you for the advice! X

I really wanted my partner to come along but I think due to covid, he won't be able too unfortunately. I'll just have to put my brave face on! 

Hi Libby 

sorry to know your partner can't come , yes you'll you be brave. I was alone too,  i don't have anyone here with me. Biopsy takes about an hour, most of the time is taken for a finger to get numb. After that biopsy is real quick.

 My best wishes for you Libby.

 Let me know how it goes!

Oh that's reassuring that it isn't a long process! I will post as soon as I'm finish to let you know how it went. 
 

thanks for the support

Hi Libby

How are you? Are you done with the biopsy? How did it go?

I had a follow up visit today, I am asked to repeat the biopsy, referred to other specialist since line persisted even after biopsy!

:(

Hi Healing7, 

so nice to hear from you! I've been meaning to update you! I was supposed to have the biopsy in December, however they looked at my finger and decided against it. I left with them just taking a picture to send off for a second opinion. I got a call around 3 weeks later from the plastic surgeon saying he still wanted to do the biopsy as he isn't confident that it isn't malignant. I had the biopsy last Friday! 
 

I was super anxious, but once I was on the ward I was put into a room with a girl who I actually knew! So that helped a lot, we were in there all day so sat chatting which calmed our nerves. Biopsy went really well, not gonna lie the anaesthetic wore off almost instantly and I was in a lot of pain! I've had my dressing change once which wasn't enjoyable as it got stuck! But feeling much better after it's been changed and the doctor said that they are happy with how it looks. (I haven't dared to look at it yet lol) 
 

they took the whole nail on my left ring finger aswell as a biopsy of the nail bed! they said around 4 weeks for results, but they may want to do another procedure in the future depending on what the results are. 
 

really sorry to hear that you have to go back. It's really not an enjoyable experience is it. I have all my fingers crossed for you and believe your super strong! We're in this together ️
 

please keep me updated and I will update you also! 

Hi Libby,

 I'm so delighted for you that it went well. Sorry to know about the pain after anaesthesia and especially at the time of dressing removal. I can imagine it must be very painful. Anyways, it's over. Do update me with your biopsy report. It must be really comforting to have someone known there at the time of biopsy. I'm really pleased for you!

 My best wishes for your report and I hope it is all normal. Tc.