To be worried about the results

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Im posting here as it doesn't quite go in pregnancy, health is quiet and I need talking down!
I had an excision biopsy last week on a suspicious mole which had developed a blister which had then turned brown on the site of the blister. My mum has had melanoma and my grandpa. I am a moley person.
I'll either get the results by post within 8 weeks or if the results are bad then I'll get a phone call, probably this week. I am shitting myself 😕
Obviously our family history isn't great and it was a weird change. The consultant didn't seem too bothered about the mole but then she was quite robotic anyway. I've had quite bad health anxiety and obsessive fear of dying since or youngest was born 7 months and I feel like my heart is about to explode I'm so fretful. They took loads around the mole too so I'm wondering if it was definitely likely cancerous and that's why?? Pleas tell me I'm being U irrational or that it's fruitless fretting. Or success stories to calm me down. And how can I get past this horrific anxiety generally?

YANBU for being worried, but right now there isn't much you are able to do to change the situation or forthcoming results. Getting the biopsy is so important, I know it is near impossible, but keep yourself occupied, get on with your normal life and await the results. I may give the Dr a call towards the end of the week if you haven't heard anything.

So it is fruitless fretting, but its not U :)

YANBU to feel worried about the result, it's natural.
To reassure you though, it's standard practice to take a wide margin around it even if it's very unlikely cancerous.

My dad had a melanoma and they knew when they excised it because it bled like mad. Loads and loads and took ages to stop.

Try not to worry. Hard I know. Dad's was a 2c and he's fine now.

you did the right thing getting it checked out, too many people ignore it, hope all goes well for you. .

Thanks for the replies, good to know that taking a wide margin is standard. I think I just feel like it's almost inevitable with my history etc eugh. Do you know what a standard waiting time would be for normal results or does that vary between trusts?

I am also awaiting results, but in my case they where concerned, had biopsy, which showed melanoma in situ, had it all removed and get full results tomorrow. They'd have made a follow up appointment for you on day if concerned I think. Even if melanoma, the prognosis is good, please think positively, and pm me if need any support.

I had a malignant melanoma removed 7 years ago. They took a lot of material around the site as well as the mole itself when they operated on my arm. I had regular 6 monthly checks for 5 years afterwards both on my skin and lymph and breasts. I never had a problem and in fact the whole thing made me look after myself a lot better. I have a scar on my arm which I look at with fondness now as its the mark of my good luck in getting this diagnosed and removed in good time. Only other impact is I take care in the sun and the whole family are now very aware and careful. Please don't worry it sounds like you got to this early. You have done the right thing in addressing this. Worrying will not help but its totally natural. As you know you are a worrier just practise being calm. Picture yourself taking the call and what you want to say if they do ring you. Write down a list of questions now so you are prepared .
If they don't contact after a week please make contact and ask - tell them or your GP you don't want this to carry on for weeks as it is affecting your mental health. best of luck its not nice but if its any consolation there are much worse things

Very good point Amammi about it being a wake up call to look after my skin more regardless of outcome. I'm glad you haven't had a recurrence.
Good luck getting your results tomorrow blue, I hope it's good news. I don't think they could've given me a follow up the same day as I had the biopsy done by the minor op team rather than the dermatologist - she referred me to get them done. So they aren't specialists if that makes sense? Or is that standard practice? Appt was also the last of the day and they left me sitting in the room with w cup of tea whilst they went home. (Had a reaction to anaesthetic)

Ok mine was done in dermatology both times, I did get told if I needed urgent care they'd call within a few days. So if you don't hear, then no news is good news. Awful they just left you at end of day.

I had quite a wide area taken around two moles I've had removed. One was normal ands one was melanoma. I had to go back and have some extra taken away to make sure they had definitely got rid of it all, and they make sure it hasn't spread any further by checking lymph nodes etc. Now I have three monthly check ups, which i find reassuring. It's horrible waiting for the results but even if it is melanoma it can be treated.

I had my op at the end of the day too, on a Friday. They were all tidying up around me while I was putting my trousers back on! My mum was waiting in reception for me and they'd turned all the lights off around her.

Fingers crossed as I got it removed weds that they'd have been in touch by now then? I'm feeling slightly more rational this pm, I think I fluctuate! I nearly had a heart attack when someone rang me earlier!

Confirmed melanoma in situ only and they've removed it all, I am going back to have minimum margins removed 5mm. But all is good, my lesion was size of a 50 pence piece, dark and asymmetrical, so all hallmarks of a bad one. They removed last bit which was tested last Tuesday, so a week for results. OP I hope you get good results too, am praying for you xx

YANBU at all. I had a melanoma removed from my face last year - family history and the doctors were quite concerned because I was so young for developing it.

They removed is successfully and everything was fine - it also has made me look after my skin like a god.

Hope everything goes well for you!

How did you get on blue turtle? I am still waiting on results! I just called on the prompting of my GP to be told they've arranged a follow up appt for me but that the letter is lost in the system. And that they're short on consultants so there are significant delays. But can't tell me the results. I'm shitting myself now. Why would I need a follow up appt? Is that definitely skin cancer or could it be something more minor?

I've had the margins removed and reconstructive surgery due to size of excision.
If they had found something I wouldve thought they'd get you in quickly. Can you call the hospital directly, I've been to two different hospitals and both had online appointments and could tell me over the phone. Try speaking to MacMillan nurses for some reassurance?

Also they can find abnormal cells which aren't melanoma. They would still remove but not as urgent?

That sounds intense, I hope recovery has been ok. It's the hospital I've spoken with today. I'm going to try and get in touch with the original consultant tomorrow I think as I just got lumbered with admin who wouldn't or couldn't see anything. Our trust has had lots and lots of issues recently so I don't have much faith in them acting swiftly and can well imagine getting lost in the system. Otherwise I wouldn't be worried I don't think. I didn't realise that about abnormal cells but not malignant, thanks

Hi, did you get results yet? Hope everything is ok x