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Original poster

Melanoma - I need some positive stories

39 replies

Freaking0ut · 26/01/2019 14:49

I have recently had a large mole/cluster of moles removed from my back. They had been there for at least 18 months but probably longer and had grown in size and spread. The consultant told me that it is more likely than not a melanoma. I have to wait around two weeks for the results and to find out how bad it is.

I am slowly going out of my mind imagining all the worst case scenarios and am feeling very scared. Does anyone have any positive stories regarding melanomas and their removal and treatment please? I really need to hear some positive perspectives on this.

OP posts:
windydoggy · 26/01/2019 16:25

Feel for you op .
My uncle recently had a dodgy mole removed and had to wait ages to see if it had spread .
All good now , they removed it and after body scan it hasn't moved anywhere else . So no treatment needed .

FourteenCows · 26/01/2019 16:29

My dad had a large mole on his leg removed that was a melanoma. He had removed and was “on watch” for relapse for 5 years, but he had no problems after removal and is well 18 years later. I hope it is smooth sailing for you op Flowers

SheepyFun · 26/01/2019 18:02

DH had a melanoma removed over 10 years ago. His GP had first said 'I don't think it's anything to worry about, but I'll get a colleague with more experience to take a look'. The colleague said 'I don't think it's anything to worry about, but we'll refer you just in case'. The consultant said 'I don't think it's anything to worry about (spotting a theme here?!) but we'll take it off just in case'. Testing showed it to be malignant. DH had a bit more skin around the area removed, but didn't need any further treatment. He has a scar, but has been otherwise fine ever since.

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Skin conditions
headstone · 26/01/2019 18:07

My Nan had one on her leg, it had been there ages without spreading. She lived another 15 years after removal and died of old age.

headstone · 26/01/2019 18:11

Also I believe that recent immune therapy has led to a bit of a breakthrough with metastatic melanoma diagnoses.

Original poster
Freaking0ut · 26/01/2019 18:17

Thank you so much. These are what I need to hear. I think it’s the not knowing that is the worst, my mind is all over the place 😐

OP posts:
Original poster
Freaking0ut · 26/01/2019 18:19

It doesn’t help that the few people I have told (mainly my mum) are not coping so I end up having to comfort them and try to be strong which makes it even harder.

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SeaToSki · 26/01/2019 18:22

My good friend, stage 4 melanoma. 1 year ago. Immunotherapy, the doctors are using the word cured. We arein the States and it was a clinical trial...

TearingUpMyHeart · 26/01/2019 18:26

It's very unlikely to have spread, in which case it is just a question of cutting it out, possibly also testing lymph nodes

If it has spread (v v unlikely), immunotherapy is a game changer - it had no side effects at all for my mother (is not chemo - it boosts your immune system) and she is now completely free of disease.

Trumponerous · 26/01/2019 19:19

My Dh had a mole removed in November. Just like Sheepyfun the GP and Dermatology clinic thought it was nothing much. They did cut it out with a bit of margin. He got results 3 weeks later (should allegedly have been 2), yup, melanoma. Went and had a larger margin cut away, tested clear. Will now have regular checks at Dermo clinic. He's not overly bothered but that could be because another worse health scare arose.

Original poster
Freaking0ut · 26/01/2019 20:50

Thank you. This is really helping. I am just hoping with every inch of my body that it hasn’t spread too far. It’s really hard not to be completely taken over with very dark thoughts about the future. The weird thing is, I always suspected that one day this might happen (pale, freckly skin, got sunburnt as a youngster). And now it has. It’s horrifying.

OP posts:
Original poster
Freaking0ut · 26/01/2019 20:51

And I’m glad to hear all your friends and family members have had successful outcomes! Flowers

OP posts:
MinorProphet · 26/01/2019 20:54

My mum had one removed with no further... anything. She barely remembers it and dint give it much thought (30 years ago) but she does wear sunscreen religiously now.

Habadabadoo · 26/01/2019 20:58

Try not to panic just yet!
I've told my eye mole story on mumsnet before but worth repeating each time I see one of these post. I went to the optician for eye test. He discovered a large mole on the back of my eye. He faxed the hospital there and then for an emergency app. It was awful. I was beside myself with worry. Turns out it was nothing to worry about!

southernetter · 26/01/2019 21:01

I know someone who had one removed from their foot 13 years ago and it never returned.

gingajewel · 26/01/2019 21:47

I had one on my neck which got bigger when my little one was born, four months later I took her to a doctors appointment and the doctor said to me “I no this isn’t your appointment but you need to get that mole looked at.” Three weeks later I had it taken off at the doctors surgery and it came back it was grade 1 cancer. Had a lot of skin taken off around it and tested and it hadn’t spread. I’ve just got a massive scar now! The hospital checked me every three months for a year. It was absolutley the scariest thing that has ever happened to me and my dd was only 6 months when it all happened, hope wevhyging turns out ok op

gingajewel · 26/01/2019 21:48
  • everything
babyinthacorner · 26/01/2019 21:58

My sister a few years ago. Same sort of time period as you - noticed a new mole on her arm had got bigger over the course of a year or so. It was cancer, but they took away more tissue and no more treatment was needed. She has been affected in terms of the scar - it’s left her arm a bit disfigured - and lifestyle changes; she loves the sun, but has been categorically told she must not expose her skin to summer sun any more. But she’s here and that’s all that matters.
I know how you feel op - I recently had a cancer scare with lumps in my groin and I was petrified. Sending you so much love x

Original poster
Freaking0ut · 28/01/2019 20:34

I’ve made the mistake of googling today and have frightened myself. On the one hand it is reassuring because there are lots of positive stats but they all come with the caveat of ‘the chance being caught early’. My moles were on my back, doing their thing for at least 18 months. I have my results appointment in a week and am fearing the worst. Sad Life was going well and my children are so young, I’m so worried that this is the end for me now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Freaking0ut · 28/01/2019 20:34

That should say cancer not chance

OP posts:
LuluJakey1 · 28/01/2019 20:39

Just because they were there for 18 months does not mean they were a melanoma all that time - if at all Try not to panic. I had one removed at the melanoma clinic that my gp was concerned about - turned out to be nothing to worry about. My cousin had one on her arm about 25 years ago and eeded 3 surgeries to remove it and get clear margins - has been fine ever since.

Habadabadoo · 28/01/2019 22:33

@Freaking0ut take comfort in the fact that they have been removed. You e already had the operation. I'm sure the consultant is experienced and took away all that needed to be taken away. My consultant told me he would warn me if there was anything to worry about to prepare me mentally. They haven't 'warned' you so you should believe when they said they don't think it's anything to worry about. Lots of positive stories on here though.

Starstruck2020 · 28/01/2019 22:42

Had a funny looking mole removed from my back in 2000, dermatologist was not overly concerned about it but a few weeks later I was called back, it was a melanoma; Another two weeks after that I was back In have more skin removed around the site. Very regular check ups for the following 5 years. No problems at all now. Flowers

SignOnTheWindow · 29/01/2019 00:27

My mum had a melanoma removed about 30 years ago. Never had another and she's still going strong at nearly 80.

Aldilogue · 29/01/2019 02:42

My dad has had 2 melanomas removed and no ongoing treatment. When they say caught early, I think you'll be fine. I'm an aged care nurse and look after people who did not do anything and that has caused big problems for them now. It's amazing how some people just don't do anything with their health.
You've done the right thing.