Hi Louiseandfin,

I'm sorry to hear your GP has taken this long to refer you and I can understand how worried you must be. 

Please don't Google - the information you find is worse case scenario and is well out of date anyway. Melanoma research is moving at speed these days and new treatments are being tested & approved all the time which means it's not as desperate as it once was. 

Can I suggest that any information on melanoma you want to read about is from either this site, Macmillan, the British Association of Dermatologists and Melanoma UK.

The good thing is that you have now been referred under the 2 week rule. Once you see the dermatologist they will have a good idea by looking at it as to whether it's something more serious than a fungal infection and if so, they will arrange to take a biopsy. 

Please try not to think the worst. I know that the year delay is worrying you but it's not necessarily any worse because of the delay. I hope the news you receive is good, but if not we are all here to help you. Please let us know how you get on,

Best wishes,

Angie (Melanoma patient, Stage 3 since 2009) 

Ask doctor for tablets my doctor gave me have 1 a day for 2 months never had a problem with it since mine was bad fungal nail all nail gone plus 1 crumbled to dust...it's fixed ps fungal nail infection just shows in the nail you need to treat it in the blood stream tablets

Hi Angie, 

Thank You for your reply I'm going out of my mind with worry 're the delay and reading how aggressive it can be.

Can I ask what happened with your diagnosis x

Hi Louise,

Mine wasn't subungual melanoma, it was an existing mole on my shin that had gone almost black. This was 22 years ago when there was no treatment available other than surgical removal. Even though I had left it a year to see my GP the melanoma was still only very thin in depth & I was Stage 1. After 5 years of check ups I was discharged but sadly it returned as a lump in my groin 13 years after first diagnosis. This necessitated all my lymph nodes removing from my groin & pelvis (where another node was affected) and I now have regular check ups. Thankfully I am still clear so I'm hoping that's that but I'm forever watchful.

No doubt you have read the statistics - most patients don't bother with them as melanoma isn't predictable like some cancers and therefore every case is different & might follow a different path. For example, 50% of melanoma patients have the BRAF gene which has mutated (BRAF +) the other half don't (BRAF wildcard). Braf+ is more aggressive, however there is now targeted treatment that works on those patients as well as immnotherapy. Braf wildcard only have immunotherapy that works. I happen to be BRAF+ yet mine hasn't been aggressive because it took 13 years to return from Stage 1 to 3 and I'm still here 9 years later with no evidence of disease (NED) - that's how the stats don't always reflect reality for every individual.

The main thing is to get through the wait without driving yourself crazy. If you don't already practise it try yoga or mindfulness - anything where meditation is involved. Also keep busy with work and/or hobbies you enjoy. I do genealogy and it's saved my sanity over the years, delving into the lives of my ancestors.

I hope your appointment comes through quickly. Make sure you take someone with you as it's very easy to forget any questions you wanted to ask, or to take everything in that's said to you if you are alone. Good luck & let us know how you get on,

Angie x 

Hi Louiseandfin

I wondered what the outcome of your appointment was as I too am waiting for an appointment next Monday for possible Subgungual Melanoma (2 week urgent referal). 

Thanks

Hi there

Apologies I have only just seen this so I hope your appointment went ok?

I saw the specialist 10 days ago, he took some name clippings for testing and referred me for a fast track plastic surgeon appointment. The wait was hell but I saw the plastic surgeon and the results from my nail clippings showed NO fungal. I immediately went into meltdown. 

The dr advised he will be making 2 incisions on my thumb to peel back my skin, nail and some of my nail bed. He said there is a chance it's melanoma but he's since lots that are benign so again, more waiting. The procedure is next Thursday, he did say they sometimes have an idea once the skin is peeled back, however, he did say I'm not showing any sign of Hutchinsons which is a positive to cling to. So it's an anxious 10 days now. My Dr has advised me to take a week off work after the procedure as it's quite painful if the paracetamol wears off once the local anaesthetic has gone and has stated I shouldn't drive either. I will keep you posted. Let me know how your doing.

xxx

Thankyou Angie and I'm so pleased you have the all clear. Your response has been very helpful and I do appreciate it xx

Hi Louise,

I hope you manage to keep yourself busy over the next few days to keep your mind off things. I also hope the surgery & results bring you good news. Look after yourself while you are recovering & let us know how you get on xx

Hi Angie

i had the biopsy yesterday, it's not pleasant at all, on quite a bit of pain relief and my arm is in a sling to keep the thumb raised. He said he's fast tracked the biopsy to pathology so just a waiting game now, the surgeon felt confident about a benign result, however I am aware that the results is the only way to tell, so I'm feeling optimistic. It's either going to be a fabulous Xmas or the worst Xmas ever - fingers crossed xxx

Hi Louise,

You must be feeling pretty sore but at least the surgeon has given you something positive to focus on. I hope you aren't waiting too long for the results and that they bring you good news. Rest up for now & try & enjoy the run up to Christmas. Please keep us posted. xx