› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Confused and Worried
- This topic has 12 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 1 month ago by
RuthyB26.
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- April 8, 2014 at 9:38 am
Hi All
I was just looking for some guidance and advice really so my story:
Notice a mole on my breast which started out like a pin head over space of 6 months had grown had ABCD features so went to GP.
First GP wasnt sure so went back to see GP who specialises in dermatolgy Christmas eve during the appointment he mentioned it looked like Melanoma there was a superimposed speckling of melanin on a network of blood vessels and I would need to see a specialist.
I went in January to see specialist who looked at in a reviewed it and confirmed he wasnt overly concerned it looked in the normal range and said would review in 3 months but didnt think there was an issue.
Went to follow up last week to be told its grown and he walked me to book me in for surgey next tuesday cause of the way the appointment went with him taking me to book me I didnt have time to think or ask any questions.
I had been suffering from headaches and got a rash in same area but didnt get chance to talk to him about or even mention it not sure do I wait till surgery or should I try and make contact.
At the surgery I dont know what to expect at all what do I need to wear? am I safe to drive? he is doing a shave on one on my neck as well. How long will I be in the appointment for? Am I ok to eat before hand?
I am staying positive at the moment at the moment as nothing has been confirmed but feels like a real rollercoaster of emotions christmas was so worried then in new year for three months no problem now back to worried.
Any advice or tips to try and keep it together would be much appreciated,
Ruth 26
- Replies
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- April 8, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Hi Ruth
I am not an expert nor indeed an expert in this journey as I was only diagnosed in Feb and Im still having all sorts or tests but I couldnt read and run.
Im from the UK but now live in Florida so its possible ( knowing the good old NHS ) that things are a little different but here is what I imagine will happen. Right now they have just looked at your mole but in order to be sure they need to biopsy it.
Im dont know on the best method of doing this and because I know the NHS doesnt allow for you to request anything different there is no point adding to that debate – but they will remove the mole for biopsy. It is very quick and very painless. Youll get a little injection with a fine needle . Ive had biopsies on my breasts and the fat made it so I didnt hardly feel the injection. Theyll take off the mole with a quick shave pop on a plaster and send you on your merry way.
Shouldnt bleed you will be fine to eat drive etc. If its on your bra line may want to consider the most comfy one you have but otherwise it honestly isnt too much to concern yourself with.
Ive also had one on my neck. That was a little more tender but no worse than a quick bee sting and its over. And again a plaster on it and good to go.
I hope that helps a little x wishing you luck and great news x
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- April 8, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Hi Ruth
I am not an expert nor indeed an expert in this journey as I was only diagnosed in Feb and Im still having all sorts or tests but I couldnt read and run.
Im from the UK but now live in Florida so its possible ( knowing the good old NHS ) that things are a little different but here is what I imagine will happen. Right now they have just looked at your mole but in order to be sure they need to biopsy it.
Im dont know on the best method of doing this and because I know the NHS doesnt allow for you to request anything different there is no point adding to that debate – but they will remove the mole for biopsy. It is very quick and very painless. Youll get a little injection with a fine needle . Ive had biopsies on my breasts and the fat made it so I didnt hardly feel the injection. Theyll take off the mole with a quick shave pop on a plaster and send you on your merry way.
Shouldnt bleed you will be fine to eat drive etc. If its on your bra line may want to consider the most comfy one you have but otherwise it honestly isnt too much to concern yourself with.
Ive also had one on my neck. That was a little more tender but no worse than a quick bee sting and its over. And again a plaster on it and good to go.
I hope that helps a little x wishing you luck and great news x
-
- April 8, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Hi Ruth
I am not an expert nor indeed an expert in this journey as I was only diagnosed in Feb and Im still having all sorts or tests but I couldnt read and run.
Im from the UK but now live in Florida so its possible ( knowing the good old NHS ) that things are a little different but here is what I imagine will happen. Right now they have just looked at your mole but in order to be sure they need to biopsy it.
Im dont know on the best method of doing this and because I know the NHS doesnt allow for you to request anything different there is no point adding to that debate – but they will remove the mole for biopsy. It is very quick and very painless. Youll get a little injection with a fine needle . Ive had biopsies on my breasts and the fat made it so I didnt hardly feel the injection. Theyll take off the mole with a quick shave pop on a plaster and send you on your merry way.
Shouldnt bleed you will be fine to eat drive etc. If its on your bra line may want to consider the most comfy one you have but otherwise it honestly isnt too much to concern yourself with.
Ive also had one on my neck. That was a little more tender but no worse than a quick bee sting and its over. And again a plaster on it and good to go.
I hope that helps a little x wishing you luck and great news x
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- April 9, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Hi,
My husband had a mole on his upper chest and had many dr and specialist look at it no one said anything about it over several month it grew got itchy, then it started bleeding. Went to er for sprained ankle Dr looked at said it was melanoma within 2 weeks had surgery they went pretty deep to make as sure they got it and removed lymph nodes to make sure it didnt spread . We caught it in time and he was free for 15 yrs. Please relax you will make yourself sick, absolutely stay positive. I was on the other side of things I didnt have it but my best friend did ,what he went threw I went threw he still did everything as he would before knowing he had it but was very careful about the sun to make things worse he worked as a landscaper and had multiple sclerosis. I pray all goes well for you. Jen -
- April 9, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Hi,
My husband had a mole on his upper chest and had many dr and specialist look at it no one said anything about it over several month it grew got itchy, then it started bleeding. Went to er for sprained ankle Dr looked at said it was melanoma within 2 weeks had surgery they went pretty deep to make as sure they got it and removed lymph nodes to make sure it didnt spread . We caught it in time and he was free for 15 yrs. Please relax you will make yourself sick, absolutely stay positive. I was on the other side of things I didnt have it but my best friend did ,what he went threw I went threw he still did everything as he would before knowing he had it but was very careful about the sun to make things worse he worked as a landscaper and had multiple sclerosis. I pray all goes well for you. Jen -
- April 9, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Hi,
My husband had a mole on his upper chest and had many dr and specialist look at it no one said anything about it over several month it grew got itchy, then it started bleeding. Went to er for sprained ankle Dr looked at said it was melanoma within 2 weeks had surgery they went pretty deep to make as sure they got it and removed lymph nodes to make sure it didnt spread . We caught it in time and he was free for 15 yrs. Please relax you will make yourself sick, absolutely stay positive. I was on the other side of things I didnt have it but my best friend did ,what he went threw I went threw he still did everything as he would before knowing he had it but was very careful about the sun to make things worse he worked as a landscaper and had multiple sclerosis. I pray all goes well for you. Jen -
- April 10, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Hi there! I would say you need to contact your Dr to find out just what to expect. The nurse there can let you know the answers to your important questions about your own preparation and what to expect. Hopefully all will be fine with your biopsy resluts, and though I can easily say not to boorow worry, that is difficult to do. I would suggest you give the nurse a call, she should not mind in the least, and have your list of questions in front of you so you can jot down the answers. I think you will feel better if you at least know what to expect, I know that is always helpful for me!
Also, just as a side note, shave biosies do not tend to be the best if melanoma were to be the problem, since clear margins are important in diagnosis. You may want to ask about that.
Tina
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- April 10, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Hi there! I would say you need to contact your Dr to find out just what to expect. The nurse there can let you know the answers to your important questions about your own preparation and what to expect. Hopefully all will be fine with your biopsy resluts, and though I can easily say not to boorow worry, that is difficult to do. I would suggest you give the nurse a call, she should not mind in the least, and have your list of questions in front of you so you can jot down the answers. I think you will feel better if you at least know what to expect, I know that is always helpful for me!
Also, just as a side note, shave biosies do not tend to be the best if melanoma were to be the problem, since clear margins are important in diagnosis. You may want to ask about that.
Tina
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- April 10, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Hi there! I would say you need to contact your Dr to find out just what to expect. The nurse there can let you know the answers to your important questions about your own preparation and what to expect. Hopefully all will be fine with your biopsy resluts, and though I can easily say not to boorow worry, that is difficult to do. I would suggest you give the nurse a call, she should not mind in the least, and have your list of questions in front of you so you can jot down the answers. I think you will feel better if you at least know what to expect, I know that is always helpful for me!
Also, just as a side note, shave biosies do not tend to be the best if melanoma were to be the problem, since clear margins are important in diagnosis. You may want to ask about that.
Tina
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- April 16, 2014 at 8:21 am
Thank you for reading my post and taking time to reply I really appreciate it.
Biopsy done yesterday feeling tender but so glad its out results in two weeks.
The people on this website are so inspirational I will be taking the advice and dealing with one thing at a time and not worrying about the what ifs so next step is results not even thinking beyond that.
Will continue to follow peoples stories.
Ruth x
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- April 16, 2014 at 8:21 am
Thank you for reading my post and taking time to reply I really appreciate it.
Biopsy done yesterday feeling tender but so glad its out results in two weeks.
The people on this website are so inspirational I will be taking the advice and dealing with one thing at a time and not worrying about the what ifs so next step is results not even thinking beyond that.
Will continue to follow peoples stories.
Ruth x
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- April 16, 2014 at 8:21 am
Thank you for reading my post and taking time to reply I really appreciate it.
Biopsy done yesterday feeling tender but so glad its out results in two weeks.
The people on this website are so inspirational I will be taking the advice and dealing with one thing at a time and not worrying about the what ifs so next step is results not even thinking beyond that.
Will continue to follow peoples stories.
Ruth x
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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