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Original poster

Melanoma on little toe? Picture attached.

127 replies

JanglingJack · 08/11/2024 21:27

Hi all,

I'm not looking for a diagnoses as have already been referred on the 'two week wait' to the Dermatology dept. Blummin pain as I was there on Monday for something on leg, that they will scrape off (yum!).

I'll attach a pic of my gnarly little toe...

It wasn't there in August (holiday). I asked how sudden these things can appear and gp dermatology specialist said sometimes within weeks...

I'm keeping calm but head all over place as I've been so unwell in last 3 years, low immune system, picking up any infection, at one point I was given a 2 month course of antibiotics. I've had several weekly courses. I've had scans on lymph nodes - thankfully all clear. Random lumps on shoulder... I could go on.

Can I ask though, has anyone had something appear like this within say - 2 months?

Melanoma on little toe? Picture attached.
OP posts:
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8
Clambering · 21/11/2024 07:56

Completely understand your feelings here OP. Can you hold on to the fact that it is better that they are dealing with you speedily even if the communication hasn't been great?
I hope the appointment goes well, sending you good wishes.

Fraaahnces · 21/11/2024 07:58

Here’s hoping it’s just a blood blister, Babe… These things are often lurking there for months.

Mischance · 21/11/2024 08:02

I had a black lesion on the end of my toe in the nail bed. It was excised for biopsy and turned out to be fine. The only problem was the wound got infected and needed a particularly strong antibiotic that gave me the squits for the next few weeks!
Hopefully your surgeon will have better sterile techniques! And yours is in a less tricky place as regards infection.
I hope all goes well for you tomorrow. I do understand what an anxious time it can be. Good luck.

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OchAyeTheN00 · 21/11/2024 08:32

Good luck OP. It’s good they’re moving quickly. Hopefully it’s benign or if not they get clear margins and this is the only treatment you need.

Original poster
JanglingJack · 21/11/2024 08:33

Clambering · 21/11/2024 07:56

Completely understand your feelings here OP. Can you hold on to the fact that it is better that they are dealing with you speedily even if the communication hasn't been great?
I hope the appointment goes well, sending you good wishes.

Oh yes, definitely holding on to that.

I wasn't slagging off the communication, apologies to anyone if it came across that way... If anything it's all a bit too speedy for my brain - but it's very much appreciated!

Thank you xx

OP posts:
Original poster
JanglingJack · 21/11/2024 08:34

OchAyeTheN00 · 21/11/2024 08:32

Good luck OP. It’s good they’re moving quickly. Hopefully it’s benign or if not they get clear margins and this is the only treatment you need.

Yep you're right, thank you xx

OP posts:
Original poster
JanglingJack · 21/11/2024 08:36

Mischance · 21/11/2024 08:02

I had a black lesion on the end of my toe in the nail bed. It was excised for biopsy and turned out to be fine. The only problem was the wound got infected and needed a particularly strong antibiotic that gave me the squits for the next few weeks!
Hopefully your surgeon will have better sterile techniques! And yours is in a less tricky place as regards infection.
I hope all goes well for you tomorrow. I do understand what an anxious time it can be. Good luck.

Oh crikey! Let's hope so eh? Can't be be needing toilet every 5 mins when hobbling, you did well to manage!

Well it's waiting to be picked up now, then wait and see!

Thank you everyone xx

OP posts:
MovingCrib · 21/11/2024 08:48

Are you going for biopsy today OP or is it now 21/11?

Fair play to you for spotting that lesion - it's certainly tucked away.

Wishing you all the best - am enjoying your sense of humour in your posts but obviously wish you weren't in this position.

MovingCrib · 21/11/2024 08:49

Oops it is today - gets it over with. Sending all my best 💐

MovingCrib · 21/11/2024 08:49

Oops it is today - gets it over with. Sending all my best 💐

rainbowstardrops · 21/11/2024 08:58

Good luck and I hope all goes smoothly for you Flowers

Vax · 21/11/2024 09:02

Good luck. Hope it goes okay.

abracadabra1980 · 21/11/2024 10:00

Good luck OP. I had the top of my little toe removed when I was 12 (non melanoma but experimental operation for the Consultant at the time), no nail bed was supposed to grow back but a tiny bit did and it looks like a little stump with a tiny wart now - not particularly attractive but I learned to live with it! X

Original poster
JanglingJack · 21/11/2024 12:40

All done! Back home feet up!

Relatively painless and quick. Sutured on the inside and outside... 5 lovely blue stitches, very uniform and neat lol.

Omg @MovingCrib I read your message in the waiting room and had mild panic 😂 uh? What? What day is it?!

I've really appreciated everyone's messages. Thank you.

Even though there's another wait for histology now, I feel lots better. Consultant didn't seem too worried about it.

Maybe I'm just a drama queen 😂 right, I need some food and then I think my bed might be calling...
Yup, it is!

OP posts:
MovingCrib · 21/11/2024 13:03

Oh JanglingJack sorry - I didn't mean to give you a scare 😁.

Keep yourself comfortable when the painkillers wear off and take it easy.

No hopping around on one foot trying to get the ironing done etc. Reassuring that the doctor seemed happy.

FadedRed · 21/11/2024 17:52

Good that is it done and 🤞🏻all clear when you get the result.

DirlingWhervish · 21/11/2024 19:44

Wishing you all the best OP. Great that the consultant didn't seem too worried and that you've been seen so quickly. Have a restful evening Flowers

mindutopia · 21/11/2024 21:10

Well done for getting it checked. I think they are right to have taken it seriously and it’s great that it’s off and done.

I can tell you from my own experience that if it comes back as anything to worry about, they will (hopefully) be very on top of it.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in September. Teledermoscopy and biopsy done in August and results back about 4 weeks later. Mine didn’t look like yours. They actually suspected it was a different kind of cancer, but upon biopsy, turned out to be a rare melanoma and had spread to a lymph node. I actually went to the GP a year ago and they fobbed me off (actually, the GP’s words were, the NHS won’t spend money to remove that, you’re going to have to go private). That’s what I planned to do so I was saving up money when it grew and got a lot more painful, including the lump in my lymph node. Thankfully, I trusted my instincts and went back for a second opinion with a different GP, who referred me on the 2 week pathway and I was seen in hospital 5 days later.

It’s entirely possible it will turn out to be nothing. But even if it isn’t, the science around melanoma is very advanced now. I’ve had a further biopsy and had lymph nodes removed and I need to have some reconstructive surgery (mine was much bigger than yours and on my head), and then because it’s spread I need to take tablets for a year to prevent it from coming back, but then hopefully that will be it. The recurrence rate is low after a successful biopsy and treatment (if you need treatment). In my experience, the wheels have turned very quickly for me and the support has been excellent. I hope it turns out to be nothing, but if it doesn’t, please don’t go into a spiral of panic and googling (I did initially!). Care and treatment are excellent and you’ll get great care. There is a website called Melanoma Focus, which might be too much information for now, but keep it for later in case you have any questions.

And take care of yourself too. xx

Original poster
JanglingJack · 02/12/2024 15:15

It's been a fucking nightmare and still no result.

Most stitches burst open on day 2. I did question how easy it was to suture together, given no excess skin. Not a problem! Hah!

Nobody and I mean - GP, Dermatology, A&E will resuture, so I am left with this.

Dermatology nurse said to wrap steri strips round it... They come off, so this is my 3rd home steri strip.

Warning! It's a minging pic.

Melanoma on little toe? Picture attached.
OP posts:
Original poster
JanglingJack · 02/12/2024 15:19

This is my own steri stripping. Dermatology nurse says that's fine. It not closing the wound, it just goes over it.

Melanoma on little toe? Picture attached.
OP posts:
Original poster
JanglingJack · 02/12/2024 15:21

And my own dressing.

I am SO tired! I've finished antibiotics since procedure but, I'm so sore

OP posts:
Original poster
JanglingJack · 02/12/2024 15:25

Just trying.

Melanoma on little toe? Picture attached.
OP posts:
OchAyeTheN00 · 02/12/2024 15:57

Ah I’m sorry OP. I actually had a much bigger wound on my leg come open, it’s not possible to re stitch a wound so I had ti have secondary closure too (waiting for it to heal). Due to the size and because wounds heal inside out, it took several months.

I won’t share a picture of it as it’s much more gruesome than yours, but that’ll heal in no time. A bigger scar than expected but hopefully that will be the end of it!

just keep it clean and covered, your body will do the rest.

NerdyBird · 02/12/2024 16:06

For the wound, my daughter managed to slice the pad of her little toe open at an awkward angle and on having it checked at hospital they recommended steri-strips. It was hard to do but in the end it healed well. I cut them down to make it easier to put on, which helped. Hope everything goes well.

FloofPaws · 02/12/2024 16:16

Blimey! It must be tricky place to suture - my DH had a difficult cut from a very heavy door closure on said finger, it did heal with a bit of a line through - hopefully the biopsy will be negative