melanoma toenail ?

Last night my husband googled a dark line that appeared on his big toenail a few ago. We expected it to be a fungal nail but were horrified to discover it's possibly a melanoma. 
I contacted a dermatologist who I have seen in the past and sent him a pic. He said that it could be a number of things but to get an urgent referral to dermatologist for a biopsy via the GP first thing on Monday. He was sadly unable to see us as is not working until well into the new year. :-( 

we have private healthcare and we're able to see a gp online last night who has done a referral letter and sent it to us to arrange with the private healthcare (but didn't Mark it as urgent)!  but nothing is open until tomorrow and I'm doubtful that Xmas week we will get anything done / if there will even be any private consultants working this week and then would they even do a biopsy? The dermatologist seemed to think it would be plastics (which he also specialises in typically). 
 

so basically I have been knocked phisically sick with worry and anxiety over this and my husband is struggling too but coping far better than I am. I can't think about anything but this , don't want to eat or do anything and am in tears constantly. We have 3 children and a dog to look after and I can't go on like this. What if it is melanoma? The prognosis online looks awful and I can't bear to even think about that. 

ive had a read of some threads on this and wonder if anyone has any advice or success stories? It's not a trauma that we know of. He doesn't remember injuring his toe. He's 47, white with no major health problems. Please help 
 

Parents
  • Hi Jistincase78, 

    iam a 36 year old mother of 2. At the beginning of this year we noticed a brown stripe I had on my nail since I was 14 (damaged in art class at school) had became darker and wider. I went to the Gp, was referred to dermatology and from there refered to plastics. Biopsy was taken at the beginning of lockdown, I was called 2 weeks later and advised it was melanoma in situ. I've had a further 4 surgeries on my right hand ring finger. Now no further treatment required. I feel this is a good outcome, I'm a bit self conscious about the look of my finger but in the grand scheme of things it's not really important. 
     

    I have spent many a night googling the worst of what could have been. Please stay positive, and take comfort in knowing you have started the ball rolling and it could be something simple. 
     

    I hope it all goes well 

  • Hi thank you for your reply. I'm so sorry you had melanoma but pleased you have had it removed now need no further treatment. What a horrible time for you. I've never been so terrified about something in my life and just wish it wasn't this time of year this was happening so we could get seen without delay. 

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