Experiences of melanoma
Marsha's story
I live on the Wirral with my partner of 11 years and beautiful 17 year old daughter. I've always been a bit of a moley person, so in 1997 when I went to the GP with a mole that I felt to be changing, he wasn't too concerned and said that he would monitor it himself, as a non-urgent referral to the local dermatology unit had a huge waiting list.
Two weeks later it was obvious to all that the mole was changing and I was referred urgently, being seen within a matter of weeks rather than months. The rather lovely aussie registrar that I saw didn't think it was anything sinister, he just thought that the mole appeared to be irritated by something (and at the time I was in a new relationship, so I'm thinking "sheets"), but he decided to remove it anyhow.
Within 2 weeks I was called back to see the Consultant Dermatologist who confirmed with some surprise on his part that the mole had indeed been a malignant melanoma, but it had been a clean excision and I wouldn't require any further treatment other than the usual 3/6/12 monthly observations for 5 years.
Over the next 5 years I had the odd mole removed from here and there but no further recurrence, so eventually I was discharged.
Then in Autumn 2006, I felt a lump in my scar from the first melanoma, this time my GP referred me immediately back to Dermatology. The lump was excised just before Christmas and confirmed to be a local recurrence.
In February 2007, I had a wide excision of the site and now have a scar that extends from the middle of my back to my hip. Luckily, I didn't require a skin graft and was sent home the same day. Only time in my life I've been glad to be carrying a few extra pounds, I'll tell you!!! So I begin the three monthly dermatology visits again.
Then over Christmas 2007, I noticed a lump in my groin, so I troll along to the GP again. This time I see a locum. He thinks it's nothing more than a swollen gland, but takes blood and tells me to come back in two weeks. I return, the blood tests are clear (but I don't know what he was checking for) and the lump is still there. He thinks it's just one of those things. I'm not sure, but I have an appointment with my dermatologist in February anyhow, so I didn't press the issue.
The next day I'm called by the dermatology clinic who've been asked to bring my appointment forward by my usual GP! So, long story short, the melanoma had spread to the lymph nodes in my groin, and I've just had all the nodes from the left side of my groin and pelvis removed. Turns out it was only in the one node, which is good, so currently I'm considered to be melanoma free! I took part in a clinical trial to see whether Avastin prevents recurrence of melanoma, but it was randomised, and I didn't get the drug.