Melanoma

[Froomp]

I was sent to a dermatologist yesterday, about a black line under my toe nail. I expected him to send me on my way reassured it was just one of those things. Instead he has told me I need a biopsy and will get the appointment in the next week or so (cue panic).
The line has been under my toe nail for at least 8/9 months. If this is Melanoma is this going to be too late for effective treatment?
And has anyone had a biopsy and it turned out not to be cancer? The dermatologist said looking at it he was sure it wasn’t blood, which rules out trauma so what else could it be?
I’m in a real state and don’t know how to talk myself down.

Freaking0ut you wouldn’t believe how much your story has helped, thank you. I’m so glad that you recovered well.

@Froomp hope today has been ok and you have been able to distract yourself. Ok, so in March 2017, I had a very visible sign of breast cancer. Went to see consultant and was immediately biopsied and told it was likely to be nasty. Waiting...then two weeks back, yes, nasty but grade 2 but other little calcifications which if cancerous meant mastectomy. Had biopsy under mammogram, which has to be the most painful thing ever. Fortunately just calcifications. I waited until mid May for my first op, thinking I'm riddled with cancer, I'm going to die. I did have three further ops to clear margins ( that means they found a cell, one teeny cell less than 1mm away from healthy tissue). i've seen my ultrasound of my cancer. A rectabgular black 2.5 cm mass. What I am trying to say is that cancer is not a death sentence. It's scary because, unfortunately, some don't make it, but many, many, many of us do. In fact a friend of mine is living a full life having gone through treatments for two separate cancers and is now clear. A heart condition can be way more debilitating. The microscopes, the techniques, the precision that is now used is so finely calibrated. My cancer was sent to California for testing to see if I needed Chemo ( I didn't) so the NHS do go above and beyond, particularly if you are young.

If you have a melanoma then you have caught it early (really 8 months is early), it's on something that can be removed and blasted with radiotherapy. Chemotherapy isn't a generic bottle labeled chemo. It means treated with chemicals. That can be infusions or tablets. It doesn't necessarily mean hair loss, crying people on those sodding Macmillan ads or copious vomiting. You are alive NOW and are more than likely to be alive to a ripe old age. Remember the stats for melanoma can be bad because people leave it before going to the doctor. You haven't.

Had a phone call offering me an appointment on Wednesday. Think that confirms it. Now just more waiting to find out how bad it is. Will they know that already or will there be more tests?

Oh OP I don’t have any advice other than hopefully it’s not as bad as you think. 💐

All day I’ve been trying to convince myself an appointment doesn’t mean it’s cancer, but let’s be honest, why else would they give me one? It really is. Isn’t it? Everyone else in the house is sleeping and everything is just whirling round my brain.

If it's any help at all OP, my friend had a biopsy on her breast and was recalled for an appointment to be told it was a fibroadenoma - completely benign. I'm keeping everything crossed for you

The waiting must be excruciating, I’m sorry. Just one more day though and then you’ll know what you’re looking at x

So sorry you're going through this, how stressful. At least you'll get some answers tomorrow.

IF you have Melanoma (still an if), remember 98.4% of localised cases are fully curable, and 85% of cases are localised (with only 2% being the cancer that has spread more distantly). And remember, you are far younger, fitter and healthier than the 'average' person who is diagnosed, and 8 months is shorter than the average diagnosis time.

In effect, if you do have melanoma, it is significantly likely it is fully treatable.

Good luck for Wednesday.

@Froomp I hope you have managed some sleep. Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Hope you are ok. Sending

Thinking of you also

Thank you Bovneydazzlers that does really help. I’ve just been reading the scary statistics. So nice to find the positive ones.

Thanks all for your good wishes. My appointment is at 4PM tomorrow, and at least then I’ll know.

@Froomp just delurking to wish you well. Have been thinking of you

Best of luck. I really really hope it isn’t. I had a friend that was convinced she had lymphoma.. I have to admit she did show lots of symptoms.

She was absolutely convinced. Gp was worried enough to do urgent referral. Some of her blood tests were dodgy. Saw a specialist, and had tests done and was told to come in again. Obviously by this point she was in a total panic.

She didn’t have lymphoma in the end!

Oh bless you. Hope you get some sleep tonight and more importantly good news tomorrow.

thinking of you

Good luck

I’m an ovarian cancer survivor, so I know how you feel waiting for appointments and results. It’s the waiting that gets you! Anyway thinking about you and hope tomorrow goes well for you. 💐

Good luck OP sending you good vibes. I'm sure it will be fine.

Good luck tomorrow OP

Good luck x

Sorry you're going through this OP. I'll be thinking of you. Good luck, and stay as positive as you can. Is someone going with you?

Been following this. Thinking of you.

Very best of luck tomorrow. The waiting is horrendous X

Moon108 - this was my DH too. Utterly convinced he had lymphoma. His eldest brother died of it. Taken very seriously by consutant. But turned out to be toxoplasmosis.