4th Melanoma found after skin check

I rang my medical centre to get the result of a three yearly colonoscopy - the receptionist said that my record was annotated with ‘Doctor to speak to patient’! My doctor wasn’t rostered on. It took some time and energy to get another doctor to investigate and give me the correct message, ‘All clear, doctor to speak to patient at next visit’. Bit of feedback to centre - those who have had cancer once know it can happen. Prompt, accurate information reduces anxiety! 

@Cath62 let us know how you go next week. It makes me wonder where they get their staff from, certainly more training on communicating with patients could be something to be considered, or perhaps some people just are not cut out for those types of jobs.  

Congratulations @Keeping_positive1 on your 5 year mark. You sure had a ride there but sounds like you are doing ok even if there are things that are still hard to move on from.

But melanoma and bc, in fact all cancers are very serious business. When I left school I did nursing. I nursed for 10 years before a career change that went on for 32 yrs. So I while my nursing knowledge is a bit old it also is a bit of a curse because I know things, lots of things and sometimes that makes it very hard to be a patient and more stressful. 

@arpie what a laugh. You certainly cheered me up with your fxxking club idea. 

The dermatologist phoned me last night after he finished surgery. He received a message from the nurse I phoned back asking for earlier surgery.

Long story it seems I went through all that fxxking stress for no reason as the nurse got it wrong!!!!  

I still need more out but it isn't as bad as I thought. Seems that the margin on one side of the 7cm scar is only 1.5mm -hairline but what i need is 5mm to be safe, especially since this melanoma was close to lymph near right underarm (same side as bc) .

The dr explained that the nurse should have told me this detail so I wouldn't have worried. It isn't much of a margin but the cancer cells are gone.  He apologised profusely. He said because clinically it was a clear 1.5mm margin he didn't want to re-tramatise the bicep until I healed. He said if there had been a single melanoma cancer left left i would have been in surgery next week.

 I see him next week and will be providing alot of fxxking feedback to him about his staff's communication with patients who have had 5 primary cancers like me or actually any cancers. 

Omg @arpie, “some people can’t organise a fxxk in a brothel” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

There seems to be a link between melanoma and bc!  My story is that in March 2016 I had a large spot on my right arm, and was diagnosed with melanoma in situ, and I had it removed but also they didn't get the margins so went in again and got clearer margins.  My doctor then recommended I have an ultrasound on the right arm pit just to be sure, and the result was nothing sinister, and nothing in the lymph nodes in that arm.

I have a 7 cm scar from the removal of the melanoma on my right arm!

Fast forward another 8 months in November (today is my 5 year mark), and was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and already in the lymph nodes on my right armpit.  This is how fast this mongrel can travel to the lymph nodes, and my doctor was truly amazed at the fast progression, even though it was already in the right breast for who knows how long, but not there 2 years previously with my regular mammogram.. I ended up being HER2 positive with Stage 3, Grade 2/3 on the right breast, then they did more tests and found on the left I had DCIS, with ER positive, so I ended up having the "works"... surgery but just lumpectomies, and full lymph node clearance on right, and 6 removed on the left armpit, and 6 months chemo, herceptin continued on for a year, radiotherapy for 6 weeks both breasts, and still on AI's until end of next year at least.  I had 2 lymph nodes detected with cancer on the right side.

But today I celebrate my 5 year mark.. I was diagnosed 23 November 2016.. so a celebration is in order.  I wish all of us well, because we have been through the mill, I still have not fully moved forward, but that is OK, i am just being kind to myself and not placing too many expectations on myself.  Take care everyone.  xx

oh dear, @Cath62 - I had to laugh at your fxxking comments .... I think we should start a fxxking club ... god knows I've been saying it a hundred times a day over the last few days with fxxk-ups re my husband's treatment!  Some people can't organise a fxxk in a brothel!

Well done on getting everything brought forward with your Onc xx  I also think that the wait for the 2nd surgery is excessive too - I'd be fxxking pissed off, too!!  I hope you get it done before Xmas!  It is the reasonable thing to do, specially as he didn't take enough the first time!  Fingers cross you get your wish!  XX. If you don't fxxking ask, you don't fxxking get!! ;) 

take care xxx

Thanks @iserbrown. I became very proactive this afternoon. 

After a meditation which was only partly effective at the time I then actioned all the things I have control over. 

First I phoned my gp and have an appointment tomorrow to discuss and get a referral to my oncologist.
Then I made an appointment with the oncologist for mid December.  

@June1952  I thought it seemed too long to wait too so I phoned the nurse at the dermatologist and asked them to talk it through. After discussion she said she will talk to my dermatologist tomorrow to ask if it is possible before Christmas. 

I feel a bit better knowing I have done all I can for now. 

Oh, @Cath62, that is not good news to hear.  I guess they take as little as they can to avoid too much scarring the first time.  It seems like a long wait for the next surgery but you have the happiness of the festive season to make you think of other things, hey ? Hoping all goes well the next time and that the annual tests come back clear, too.
I like your freaking out then getting proactive.  I guess any of us who grew up before all the "sunsmart" creams and campaigns (especially those of us with fine English skin!) are at higher risk of melanoma as we age.  As long as they are caught before they do naughty growing.
Thinking of you.  💖

Bugger, bum, s..t, bum!  
Sorry to read that you've been dealt an unexpected hand but as I read through your comments, the anger is still there but you are being proactive and lining up appointments and necessary paperwork
Hope all is fine after this setback
Take care and Best wishes

There you go, your visualisation helped you through chemo 😊😊. The mind is a very strong tool, it either works for us or against us. You’re on the right track for sure 😀🥰