Hello Jodie_m, 

You did the right thing to go to the doctor's about this and it's good that they are taking this seriously and have referred you so that it can be looked at properly. 

It's normal to feel so anxious about the wait - this is something many of our members who are currently waiting to be seen by a specialist or who are waiting for results can also relate to. The first thing you need to stop doing is consulting Dr Google and doing any kind of research about it as it will only bring up the worst case scenario and will be enough to give you nightmares! This won't help you with getting some sleep which you will need in order to feel a bit less anxious while you are waiting. There are some helpful tips on this page to help you cope while waiting for important news. All you can do for now is wait which I know is the hardest thing and take one day at a time keeping focused, busy and distracted. It won't be long now until you get some definite answers. 

In terms of what to expect from this appointment and what the process is, I thought I would signpost you to this thread  by another member who was also worried about subungual melanoma and where one of our members [@AngieT]‍ gave as always some helpful advice. ‍ 

You could also give our nurses a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and they will be able to tell you more about what to expect and what the process is exactly. 

I hope it all goes well for you and that you get some definite answers very soon. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thank you so much for the reassurance! I just had a call today and they have pushed my appointment forward to this Thursday!!! Instead of next Wednesday!

I have two emotions:  relief that I will have an answer much sooner, but also nervous wondering what the reason for pushing it forward was!

Hi Jodie_m,

Sorry you are going through this. I am going through a similar experience myself. I saw the dermatologist a few weeks ago on the 2ww pathway and have got a biopsy booked for next Monday. 

I cant really help as I am as freaked out as you are but what I can say is the dermatologist appointment wasn't anything to worry about in itself. Mine was just like a doctors appointment  I was only in there 5 mins, he looked at my nail with a microscope, asked a couple of questions and then said he was booking me in for a biopsy and I left. I was so shocked I didn't even ask any questions lol, I went in expecting him to say its nothing to worry about and send me on my way.

Fingers crossed for your appointment and let us know how you get on 

Xx

Thank you so much for your reply, it's really comforting to talk to people going through the same thing!

is yours on your nail too? If so is yours a distinctive line? Mine is more a triangle, it started off as a line but has spread out in to a more triangular shape.

for the last three months my toe was in no pain but the last couple days it's been a bit sore especially when wearing shoes!

I have my dermatologist appointment this Thursday! Just ready to have answer now!

Yes we are not alone, although I would rather no one else was going through this aswell :)

Mine is on my big toe nail, it's never been a line. It started off changing colour about 5 months ago and was bleeding from under the nail every other day for ages, I tried fungal treatments etc and they didn't help, it just kept getting worse. So I submitted an econsult to my Dr and he asked me to come in and had a look, told me to come back in 10 days if not any better so went back and he referred me. I havent had any pain the whole way through, which I find strange, normally with bleeding etc you expect pain. 

Now a quarter of my nail is blackish and is sort of lifting. But the doctors the whole way along have said its a really healthy nail so definitely not fungal. 

I'm 99% sure it will come back as nothing to worry about  but that 1% is driving me mad . Its the waiting that is the hardest part, but you are not alone and feel free to message me if you need to talk or vent 

Xx