Hi,

I had a mole excised from the sole of my foot a few years ago. I had to stay off my feet for the first 48 hours and keep the foot elevated as it bled a lot. I then hobbled around for another 10 days to ensure the stitches didn't open (some patients are given crutches). I suggest that you get a sick note for 2 weeks off work if your job is on your feet. You can't risk the wound opening, especially as it could get infected. Good luck with your results and please let us know how you get on.

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi,

I find this really interesting and particularly to hear another case.

So, for years I had one mole on my foot, literally cannot remember when it arrived. A couple of years ago a new one cropped up on the arch of my foot (about half the size of a grain of rice) but I thought nothing of it as I have a number in weird and wonderful places, all small, flat and similar. 

Anyway, after losing my mum (not cancer related) and having my son, along with the moles cropping up here and there I took the decision in November to get them regularly observed and professionally assessed.

Anyway, off to the dermatologist and he did not seem overly concerned but wanted to monitor for changes. I go back in a couple of weeks but to my knowledge it has not changed. Other very faint ones have appeared on my ankle on the other foot and toe but again, these don't concern me. 

My question is, what made your Dermatologists decide to remove. I just find that mine is deciding not to but others I have spoken to have had their removed and then others not. Just seems inconsistent and I do not want something left which could put me at risk. 

Thanks

Thank you very much Angie for your expertise! I think I will call the hospital and ask about the cancellation list... I did mull over the private route but I just don't have the finances to start that ball rolling despite the importance of it! The Nurse Practitioner from my GP said about the wait "you're a spring chicken, cancers of the feet are very slow growing and age is on your side" which is slightly relieving but worrying non the less! I will definitely update as and when I can as I would like to give people some sort of reference if going through anything similar. Thank you once again and wish you luck with your own journey x

I can vouch for the SkinVision app, it is really good. 

It is funny what you say about the Nurse Practitioner. Like all these professionals they know their stuff and as such almost expect you to 100% trust them however, when you are worried you cannot help but have that little bit of doubt. 

I hope things go well with your appointment when it comes round and hopefully you get something sooner. I'll post an update about mine too, always good to form alliances at times in your life like this. 

Hey,

Just a small update... I was called "out of the blue" last Thursday (6th May) by NHS and said that a second consultant had looked at my picture and requested that I be seen quickly so was offered the choice of 2 different hospitals to go to. They were futher away but that's fine, I was just glad I was actually getting seen quicker! So had a letter come through post with new appointment date of 20th May and a leaflet with "Why have I been given a 'Two Week Wait' hospital appointment?" (which I had not received before). Will update again after the appointment. Hope everyone is keeping ok..!

That's good to hear. Hope all goes well at your apointment xx

Hey!

I think your experience confirms a lot of my suspicions with dermatologists and consultants in general. One may not see anything of concern and another just wants it removed on the cautionary side. But I guess any "red flag" would push you down a two week route to ensure it happens so you don't get pushed back again and again. 

I have my appointment (review) tomorrow. I have two on my foot - one is super old and never changed, a little funny in colour but great symmetry and then the other is better on colour but not great symmetry. Funny things moles but as my dermatologist told me, view them as family. You would feel unsettled if someone at a family was not someone you recognised or knew or "looked" very different. Treat moles the same way.

I'll let you know how I get on. A bit nervous now it's only tomorrow.

Matt

Good luck today! Hope you get on ok :happy:

Hey! 

So it went well today. My dermatologist, a student and a nurse in the room. Both the dermatologist and nurse referred to the photos taken 6 months ago which were on a screen in different angles and colours and they believe now change. So they are happy not to see me for another year. 

He explained a lot to me so I believe all I can do is trust them and wait till next year. 

Hi Matt,

That's really good to hear. Should you find something worrying in the coming year you can always contact them for an appointment. Breathe easy now for another year,

Angie

Had my appointment today! Waiting Room was empty, the Nurse asked the Receptionist if they were finishing up early as the last 3 patients hadn't arrived and she said I was there which caused a sigh. I was in there less than 5 minutes, didn't ask me any family history or any history, looked at 3 moles through the dermascope (I'd noticed 2 more on my arm since the foot) and said they were fine and to just "keep an eye on them", went back to his computer and started typing so I took that as my cue to leave..! So although very relieved I don't feel 100% atm... But I suppose that is the end of my journey here! Well wishes to everyone and thank you for the advice x

It's strange isn't it? We don't want it to be anything bad but when they are not particularly worried we are not entirely at ease either.

You sound like me though. You want some explanation. With my dermatologist he just put it this way - he could pick flaws in numerous moles on my body and if he could remove any risk at all he would literally have to take my skin off and put on a new one. As he can't do that, they can only observe. The ones which have always been there would slowly change over time and once they notice any "red flags" through monitoring they would take evasive action. Unless it screamed "danger" now, he says there is no need to cause me worry and discomfort. 

Just hang on in there, relax, enjoy life, take photos every few months and just know your body. Oh yeah, and slap on the SPF 50 and be sun smart because if we worry this much about moles, lets avoid too many more.

Good luck, have a lovely summer (once it arrives) and drop me a message if you ever need to chat. 

It's strange isn't it? We don't want it to be anything bad but when they are not particularly worried we are not entirely at ease either.

You sound like me though. You want some explanation. With my dermatologist he just put it this way - he could pick flaws in numerous moles on my body and if he could remove any risk at all he would literally have to take my skin off and put on a new one. As he can't do that, they can only observe. The ones which have always been there would slowly change over time and once they notice any "red flags" through monitoring they would take evasive action. Unless it screamed "danger" now, he says there is no need to cause me worry and discomfort. 

Just hang on in there, relax, enjoy life, take photos every few months and just know your body. Oh yeah, and slap on the SPF 50 and be sun smart because if we worry this much about moles, lets avoid too many more.

Good luck, have a lovely summer (once it arrives) and drop me a message if you ever need to chat.