Really scared waiting for appointment for first time excision and biopsy
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Really scared waiting for appointment for first time excision and biopsy

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Really scared waiting for appointment for first time excision and biopsy

  • Post
    • May 29, 2013 at 1:43 pm
    caesia75
    Participant

      I am really scared. Until today, melanoma was hardly on my radar. But the other day, a colleague came up to me after a meeting and suggested I get the mole on my arm checked out. I took her seriously because I have been wondering if it has been changing over last few months myself, but clearly haven't been paying enough attention, or I would have been to the doctor already.  I went today and the doctor took it really seriously, I was shocked. He asked me all sorts of things including family history of melanoma.

      I am really scared. Until today, melanoma was hardly on my radar. But the other day, a colleague came up to me after a meeting and suggested I get the mole on my arm checked out. I took her seriously because I have been wondering if it has been changing over last few months myself, but clearly haven't been paying enough attention, or I would have been to the doctor already.  I went today and the doctor took it really seriously, I was shocked. He asked me all sorts of things including family history of melanoma.  I am travelling at the moment, have an appointment with a specialist next week to have it excised and checked. The doctor I saw today made me promise to get it out as soon as I was home and definitely in no more than a week or so. Of course have been looking on internet today and reading, and my instinct says that this is a melanoma. It fits almost of those abcde or whatever things (except family history). Have been hoping to find some reassuring statistics saying that only a small proportion of spots sent off for testing are melanomas but can't find anything of the sort, which is making me worried. I can't stop crying, I am really nervous. Am I realistic to be worried?  Are there any reassuring statistics out there? I really appreciate your taking the time to read this and any advice you might be able to provide. 

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        • May 29, 2013 at 1:52 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          There is absolutely no way to know just by looking.  Even lesions that fit the ABCD's are not always melanoma.  Pre-worry never helped anyone.  Just have the thing removed and then go on from there.  There are "atypical" moles which may change and are not melanoma.  There are early melanomas which grow very slowing and have nearly 100% survival rate.  At this time, you are worrying for nothing because there is no way to know anything until it goes to a pathologist.  Yes, the vast majority of lesions biopsied are not melanoma.  All you can do is have yours removed and get a copy of the pathology report.  To be honest, I'd stay off the internet until you know if any of this is pertinent to you.  The internet info can scare the crap out of you and it may not even pertain to your lesion. 

          1.  Get it removed.

          2. Stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis.

          3. Get a copy of your pathology report for your own records.  If this were to turn out to be melanoma, you can post your pathology report here and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

          4. Stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis.  (Yes, this is an INTENTIONAL repeat of #2).

          5. Stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis.  I will say it again!

          • May 29, 2013 at 1:52 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            There is absolutely no way to know just by looking.  Even lesions that fit the ABCD's are not always melanoma.  Pre-worry never helped anyone.  Just have the thing removed and then go on from there.  There are "atypical" moles which may change and are not melanoma.  There are early melanomas which grow very slowing and have nearly 100% survival rate.  At this time, you are worrying for nothing because there is no way to know anything until it goes to a pathologist.  Yes, the vast majority of lesions biopsied are not melanoma.  All you can do is have yours removed and get a copy of the pathology report.  To be honest, I'd stay off the internet until you know if any of this is pertinent to you.  The internet info can scare the crap out of you and it may not even pertain to your lesion. 

            1.  Get it removed.

            2. Stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis.

            3. Get a copy of your pathology report for your own records.  If this were to turn out to be melanoma, you can post your pathology report here and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

            4. Stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis.  (Yes, this is an INTENTIONAL repeat of #2).

            5. Stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis.  I will say it again!

            • May 29, 2013 at 1:52 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              There is absolutely no way to know just by looking.  Even lesions that fit the ABCD's are not always melanoma.  Pre-worry never helped anyone.  Just have the thing removed and then go on from there.  There are "atypical" moles which may change and are not melanoma.  There are early melanomas which grow very slowing and have nearly 100% survival rate.  At this time, you are worrying for nothing because there is no way to know anything until it goes to a pathologist.  Yes, the vast majority of lesions biopsied are not melanoma.  All you can do is have yours removed and get a copy of the pathology report.  To be honest, I'd stay off the internet until you know if any of this is pertinent to you.  The internet info can scare the crap out of you and it may not even pertain to your lesion. 

              1.  Get it removed.

              2. Stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis.

              3. Get a copy of your pathology report for your own records.  If this were to turn out to be melanoma, you can post your pathology report here and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

              4. Stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis.  (Yes, this is an INTENTIONAL repeat of #2).

              5. Stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis.  I will say it again!

              • May 29, 2013 at 2:42 pm
              Linny
              Participant

                Janner said it very well. I can't add much more to that except — stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis. smiley

                Please let us know how you make out.

                • May 29, 2013 at 2:42 pm
                Linny
                Participant

                  Janner said it very well. I can't add much more to that except — stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis. smiley

                  Please let us know how you make out.

                  • May 29, 2013 at 2:42 pm
                  Linny
                  Participant

                    Janner said it very well. I can't add much more to that except — stay off the internet until you have a diagnosis. smiley

                    Please let us know how you make out.

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