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WLE on calf-help with recovery issue

Forums General Melanoma Community WLE on calf-help with recovery issue

  • Post
    LLN44
    Participant

      Hello,

      I am new to the community here (and new to melanoma) but would appreciate any thoughts on what I am experiencing with my recovery. I had a WLE done 9 days ago for a thin spreading melanoma on the back of my right calf just below the muscle, above the ankle. No skin graft or flap, just the skin pulled and stitched super tight on an area that was already fairly tight. Procedure went as planned from what I understand and two days ago (Friday), I had the surgical bandages redressed. The nurse said all seemed clean and healing well. Later that day though, my lower leg from the knee down to the toes went completely cold. And I experienced all sorts of new deep aches and pain from the cold and from the tightness I was feeling. I thought maybe the bandages that were removed were acting as a compression of sorts. And maybe this is why? I warmed it up with body heat and blankets and took additional pain meds. But throughout yesterday and again today, this is still happening if I take the blankets off to move around my flat-my lower right leg gets significantly colder than the rest of my body and I have these deep aches and pain. Colour is mostly the same as my left leg though.

      Has anyone experienced anything like this? And if so, how did you address it? I am planning to call the doctor tomorrow, but would still be interested in any personal experience of this.

      Many thanks for any thoughts or comments!

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    • Replies
        doragsda
        Participant

          Can you feel your pulse behind the "knobby" bone on the inside of your ankle on that leg?   Check it in both legs to see if it's comparable.

          laurakoco
          Participant

            Hi there,

            I just had a WLE on my calf about two weeks ago for Melanoma 1A. I normally wear a compression sock up to my knee during the day as the doctor recommended. One day I left the compression sock on overnight and noticed when I took it off, my foot was really cold. I could only warm it up by putting it in a bath of warm water. I think all the compression (which is good for the scar to heal) causes some circulation to be cut off. When the blood returns, your foot might feel cold. Sounds like everything is normal. The deep aches and pains could be related to nerves that were severed. I've had a lot of weird sensations down my leg as it is healing.

            -Laura

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