Hi,

Yes it's normal for the wound to be sore and for a little blood seepage. The thing to look out for is any redness starting to creep out around the wound and it feels hot to the touch - in which case it may be a sign of infection and you need to see your GP for antibiotics. Otherwise it will start to settle down in a few days. It may be easier to sleep if you sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs or with the leg that's furthest from the mattress laid on a pillow. It should take the pressure off your lower back.

Good luck with the results, please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Oh thanks for the reply! I just dont know what to expect with it being the first time I've had stitches! 

I shall try that tonight, hopefully I'll get abit more sleep!

Thank you, I will post when I have results..

So it turns out it had gotten infected! Been on antibiotics and have to wait a little longer to have my stitches out, roll on Wednesday!

So I had a phone call off the hospital today asking me to come in on Wednesday after I've had my stitches removed.. I've been fine about waiting this whole time but now I'm starting to panic a little!

It's only been 2 weeks since I had my mole removed and I only had to wait 2 weeks to get that mole removal appointment too.. I'm worried now because it all feels so rushed (urgent)

Diana

Hi Diana,

Don't try & read too much into the timescale of your treatment. Two weeks for a surgical appointment is actually the average waiting time - unfortunately some hospitals are struggling with lack of staff in the summer holidays so some patients are waiting 3 or 4 weeks but your hospital appear to be on top of their game. Similaraly, results used to be available around 2 weeks later but histology departments are experiencing huge backlogs so most hospitals aren't achieving this - again, it could be that your hospital are coping or it could be that they prioritise and ask for those that they think may be a problem are dealt with first. Either way, you aren't going to know until you go next Wednesday. Being called back for results, face to face, is how most consultants work, whether it's good or bad news. Only the odd consultant will give results by letter or phone call, so don't read the worst into being called back to see them. So try not to worry that it means bad news, that's not always the case.

There are several variables in what could have been found - it could be benign, it could be a dysplastic (atypical) mole or it could be melanoma. A dysplastic mole is one that looks dodgy but is actually benign. However, they like to remove them because they have the ability to turn cancerous in the future. If melanoma, don't panic. Hopefully it's early stage and hasn't grown too deep so it's easily treatable. 

I hope the antibiotics get rid of the infection - I've had this twice so I know how rotten it can make you feel. Make sure you take someone with you to the appointment as a second pair of ears (and brain) is good to have in case you forget something that's been said or forgotten something you wanted to ask. If you have any questions, write them down - don't be afraid to ask anything that hasn't already been covered by the consultant. Good luck on Wednesday and please let us know how you get on,

Angie

Thank you for that reply :)

So I've had my results! Melanoma stage 1B.. I'm going to be having a lymph node biopsy and WLE. They said originally it will be done with skin grafting but they've decided on skin flaps now? I didn't entirely understand what that involves but I'll be talking with them soon!

Just reading some stuff they gave me, trying to learn abit more about it all..

Diana