Hi LK,

Welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about your melanoma diagnosis. I had a wide local incision biopsy a few months ago and was given a date in JUly to return for the results despite the fact that my plastic surgeon advised me to return within 3 weeks. I phoned the surgeon's secretary to be told that this was the first available appointment.

Fortunately, I had to go back after a week to get my stitches taken out and, when I mentioned the wait to the nurse, she went off and came back with my plastic surgeon. She told him about the delay and he went off and phoned his secretary himself. He came back to tell me that my results were already back and that both of the biopsies he had taken were benign.

It might be an idea for you to phone your surgeon's secretary and ask if there is an earlier appointment available. If not, ask if you could put your name down for a cancellation.

One of my lesions was on my face, just under my eye. The second was on the medial side of my right leg, just above my ankle. It took over a month for this to heal, along with 2 lots of antibiotics. If you feel that the wound is not healing make an appointment with your GP to check it out.

Waiting for results is always a worrying time. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 10 years and 3 suspected melanoma maligna in the past 3 years, so I am no stranger to waiting. It is one of the worst parts of anyone's cancer journey. I hope that you manage to get your appointment through soon and that it won't take too long for your wound to heal.

Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi LK1966,

I know waiting times are extending all the time for melanoma surgery and results but yours is an inordinately long wait. Are you being treated at a small local hospital or at a larger one? As Jolamine advises, you could ring your consultant's secretary, however they won't be there until Monday and your appointment is for Wednesday so I don't see any point now as the consultant will only have a clinic once a week & it sounds like Wednesday is the day. 

Have you seen a dressings nurse or your GP/surgery nurse regarding your wound not healing well? Is it red or swollen or hot to touch? If so, it needs looking at before Wednesday as you may have cellulitis which needs immediate antibiotic treatment. Sometimes stitches don't dissolve properly and cause an infection too. There will be a simple explaination for it not healing properly rather than your body having a problem. My melanoma was on my right shin and there is very little skin over the bone so it does take a little longer to heal properly. I know that at times like these lots of things go through your mind but believe me, melanoma excision wounds not healing well is not an indication of spread anywhere else in the body. Some people heal well and some don't (I've had 8 dodgy moles, 1 being melanoma, removed over the years so I know what looks good & what doesn't). If you don't think it's infected your consultant will take a good look at it on Wednesday and arrange any treatment if they think it's necessary. 

The waiting and worrying is probably taking it's toll on you by now so all I can suggest is that for the next few days you pamper yourself - a head/neck/shoulder massage is my 'go to' anxiety solution - or do something that you enjoy to distract your mind from Wednesday's appointment. I sometimes listen to a meditation CD kindly provided by a lady at my hospital - it really helps. I hope your WLE results come back clear for any further melanoma cells. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)