Hi Claire,

Waiting for results is the worst part of this whole experience I'm afraid. Four weeks is the current average waiting time in these days of Covid - before that they were about 2 weeks. All you can do is find something to distract yourself away from worry & Dr Google!

The good thing is that you have had this checked out very quickly & that it's been removed. It's rare for solar lentigo to become cancerous but if it is, it's been caught very early and will be easily treatable.

Be kind to yourself, try some meditation, a massage or a walk in the fresh air to take your mind off it for an hour or so. Good luck with your results and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi Angie,

Thank you so much for your reply. Another two weeks of waiting is going to be torturous. I've spent the last few weeks filled with fear of "What if it's spread all over my body". I then start looking it up on Google. I know I must stop that though. 

I just hope I spotted the changes early enough. Obviously I know back in April last year it was all ok, after the dermatologist looked at it. It just goes to show how quickly changes can happen. Once I knew this needed to be removed, I looked up Solar Lentigo and possible connections with skin cancer. That lead me on to Lentigo Maligna and Lentigo Maligna Melanoma. One thing I do keep trying to remind myself of, is that the trusted websites I have looked on, all say the it is slow growing, so hopefully that is in my favour. 

The nurses have been absolutely amazing and so kind. My wound/scar is very neat. It's about 4.5cm in length. I know it was done as an ellipse shape, I forgot to ask him how deep he would be going into the skin. I'm guessing it was fairly deep as I can see a sort of indentation in my arm and also how much the skin has been stretched at the widest point of the wound. I have two lovely mountain peaks at either end but as long as everything has been taken out, I don't mind those. 

I'll do my best to keep myself busy over these next two weeks and of course I will let you know how I go on. 

Thank you so much for your advice, it means a lot. 

Claire x

Hi Claire,

A very warm welcome to our forum. My plastic surgeon told me that I would get the results within a week, but when I got the appointment through, it was for 4 weeks.

Fortunately, I had to attend the hospital to get the stitches removed the week after surgery. When I mentioned the 4 week wait to the nurse, she said that the surgeon was in the clinic. He phoned his secretary there and then and, hey presto, my results were back. Fortunately, both lesions were clear. I sincerely hope that yours turn out to be too.

Please let us know your results when you get them. Remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

H Jolamine,

Thank you for your welcome and reply. 

The hospital told me it would be anything up to 4 weeks but they would do their best to get them through sooner if they could. This is mainly because I was an absolute anxious wreck. 

I don't have to go back for the stitches to be removed as dissolvable ones were used, which I was glad about, I'm quite squeamish and am not very good with seeing stitches in the skin. 

It's great to hear yours we're all clear, that must have been a huge relief for you. 

I've just been doing what I know I shouldn't do and looking on Google (again) looking at all the information about Lentigo Maligna Melanoma.  

Yes, of course I will let you know my results. Thank you for your support. 

Claire xx

Hi Claire,

Try to avoid consulting 'Dr Google', as this will only heighten your anxiety. Besides, there really isn't any point in doing this until you get your pathology results and know exactly what you are up against.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Angie,

I had the phone call from the hospital this morning. Everything is ok!!! It was something called a Seborrheic Keratosis and is completely benign. When the nurse told me, I burst into tears. The sense of relief is incredible! I feel like I can get on with life again now. 

I'm going to buy myself a UV parasol for when I'm out and about and can't necessarily be in the shade. I might look ridiculous but I don't care  

Thank you again for your support,

Claire xx

Hi BellaClaire,

Thank you for the update. I'm delighted to hear that you got the all clear. Mine were Seborrheic Keratosis too. I'm not surprised that you cried when told. It's such a relief after all that worry.

Take care in the sun from now on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Claire,

That's wonderful news. I bought a UV parasol a few years ago - it goes around the world with me as I find that sunhats make my head too hot!

Enjoy the summer now - when we have one!

Angie xx