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21 posts since

23 May 2019

I am so scared right now.  I am having a mole removed next week for a biopsy and it is literally all I can think about. The mole has changed and has a dark spot on it that wasn’t there before.  The doctor says he’s not ‘overly worried’ but want to take it off.

My mother died of melanoma and I can’t shake this horrid feeling.  I had a baby 3 months ago and can’t believe this is happening to me when I should be so happy.  I want to be here for him growing up. 

 

My husband tries to reassure me, but honestly there is nothing he can say that makes this worry go away.  I know there is no point to this post, but I had to get it off my chest. It’s going to be a very long few weeks Sad

475 posts since

18 Jul 2011

Hi Newmum,

I can fully understand your worry, especially having lost your mum to the disease. The positives to hang on to are these – the doctor didn’t seem overly worried so they are making sure they are correct in their assumption that it’s probably benign. It could be a dysplastic navus – a mole that looks dodgy but is benign. These have to be removed though because, if left in situ they have the ability to turn cancerous. Pregnancy can change existing moles or cause new ones and dermatologists see a lot of new mums for this reason. Most of the time the moles are fine so yours may have changed due to increased hormones and it will hopefully be OK. 

If the results do come back as melanoma don’t panic. Treatment has moved on apace since you lost your mum (and continues to move on) so melanoma isn’t as deadly for all patients as it once was. I myself was diagnosed Stage 1 23 years ago – sadly it returned & had progressed to Stage 3 10 years ago however I’m still here fit & healthy so please take heart. If you would like to chat more, if only to get your worries off your chest, then send me a friend request & we will chat by private message. Meanwhile good luck with the biopsy surgery and the results. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie

21 posts since

23 May 2019

Thank you for your reassuring words, I really appreciate it. The waiting it so hard and is taking over my life atm.

 

My mum past in 1997 so I guess you’re right, a lot has changed.  I’m  glad to hear you are doing well and I hope that long continues for you. I have sent you a friend request and will let you know.

Thanks Angie, and  likewise, I am here if you need to talk Happy

10 posts since

22 May 2019

@Newmum ‍ I’m not surprised you’re worried considering you lost your mum, I’m sorry to hear about that. 

I think feeling anxious is very normal and common. I’ve got my dermatology appointment next week and I’m just convinced it’s something sinister, I’m even imagining my funeral. Which isn’t completely RIDICULOUS but I think it’s natural to worry. 

My doctor told me that 99% of people who have moles removed do not have a cancer that has spread, usually they are surface cancers or confined to that area. 

I have 2 young children too so I totally understand how worried you are feeling ❤️ 

Ill look out for your updates x

21 posts since

23 May 2019

Thanks Misty768

My imagination has been running wild too. It’s hard not to let it.  Every time I look at it I’m convinced it’s bad. I trying not to look at it at all now.

I hope your appointment goes well. Let us know how you get on X 

 

21 posts since

23 May 2019

Had my biopsy yesterday. Not feeling confident about the results atm, not sure if that’s because I’ve just had the procedure.  Now more waiting! 

 

@Misty768 did you have your appointment yet

10 posts since

22 May 2019

Hi Newmum, 

I have just got back from having my biopsy, they took quite a lot away and I now have a very sore foot and am struggling to walk – oh the fun. I have a 2 week wait for the results now, appointment is on the 14th June. 

What did the doctor say when he did your biopsy? Mine said that it was definitely consistent with melanoma but could still be a benign mole. 

I really hope we both have good results and it’s nothing to worry about x

475 posts since

18 Jul 2011

Good luck Newmum and Misty768 – hope you aren’t waiting too long for your results and that they come back clear xx

21 posts since

23 May 2019

Glad they got it off for you. Mine is on my ankle so I’m also struggling with walking a little too. It’s horrible isn’t it. 

They didn’t really say anything about it during the biopsy.  They said I should get a letter in the post with the results or get a letter to come in and discuss. Should hear in about two weeks too. So scared. 

Hope you heal quickly and we both get good news x

21 posts since

23 May 2019

Thank you Angie. Me too.  Hope you’re ok XX 

21 posts since

23 May 2019

Still no letter :(. The consultant said 2 weeks, the lady that removed it said up to 4 weeks and the leaflet I was given said up to 8 weeks, so I’m a bit confused about what to expect tbh.  I went with the two weeks as thought that was the most likely.  Getting fed up and upset thinking it’s bad news.  

 

How did you get on @Misty768 I’ve been thinking about you XX 

475 posts since

18 Jul 2011

It usually takes between 2 – 4 weeks. I’m assuming your consultant is the dermatologist and the surgeon was a Plastic Surgeon so someone may not be up to speed with the current histology waiting times. Seeing as your consultant said 2 weeks I would ring their secretary this week and ask if your results are back. They can’t tell you your results over the phone (if they are back) but they may be able to arrange an appointment so you at least have some idea of the time scale. Please don’t think the wait necessarily means bad news – it can just be down to histology and dermatology workloads and holiday/sickness periods.

Good luck,

Angie

4602 posts since

15 Jul 2010

 

Hi Newmum,

I’m so sorry to hear about your worries. My mum died of secondary breast cancer and, when I was first diagnosed I was convinced that the same would happen to me. Fortunately, that was 10 years ago. I had a second bout 9 years ago and, more recently I have had further worries with 3 suspect melanoma maligna. These were all on different parts of my body – my face, just below my eye, my back and my leg, just above my ankle.

I was referred to see a dermatologist, who referred me to see a plastic surgeon. He carried out an excisional biopsy on each occasion. I was told to make an appointment for 4 weeks, but when I went to make it, I was told that they would send me an appointment in the post. When this arrived it was for 4 months. I phoned up the consultant’s secretary to be told that this was the first available appointment.

Fortunately, I was at the hospital a week after I had my biopsy to have the stitches on my face removed. The nurse asked how I was and I told her about my return appointment. She said that I shouldn’t have to wait that long. She told me that the plastic surgeon was in the unit that day and went off to speak to him. He returned with her and phoned his secretary himself. When he returned, he told me that my results were already back and that the lesion was benign. Fortunately, the other 2 were benign too. I return in a few weeks for a check-up on my face and leg and, hope that all is still clear.

Appointment times seem to vary a lot from one hospital to another. We all tend to think the worst at this stage, but fortunately this seldom turns out to be the case.  It would certainly be worth your time phoning your consultant’s secretary to see if she can bring your appointment forward. If she can’t, ask to be put on a waiting list for any cancellations.

I do hope that you are successful in doing this and, that it is all good news when you get it. Do please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

21 posts since

23 May 2019

Thanks Angie,

If it doesn’t come on Monday I’ll give them a call.  It’s so awful waiting for the postman everyday. 

Your reasurance about the waiting time is really helpful.  I really appreciate your words of support. 

Thanks again and hope you’re ok X 

21 posts since

23 May 2019

Thank you Jolamine

I’m sorry to hear about your mother. 

4 months is a ridiculous amount of time to wait. I’m glad you managed to get your results sooner and it was good news.  

I will call them on Monday if the letter doesn’t appear and hopefully I’ll get an appointment or at least  an idea of how much longer I’ll have to wait.  Thank you for your advice.

I hope your next appointment goes well x

 

 

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