"Melanoma mole - I'm now on my journey with a fabulous team"

I noticed a change to one of my moles on my foot and decided it was time to pick up the phone and call my local surgery for advice…

The lovely lady doctor, who I hadn’t seen previously, asked if I could come straight away to the surgery, in order for her to assess and check things out.  I didn’t feel panicked, just impressed how swiftly an appointment was made.  With that said, I went along, and after her initial observation and measurements taken of my mole, she left the room, to ask a senior doctor for his opinion; at that point, I was on my two week journey for an appointment at Dermatology Boston.

I was worried, obviously, the thoughts that run through your head are dreadful, but I also knew it was time to be sure whether what changes I had seen in my mole, were things of concern.

Waiting in the corridor of dermatology at Boston, I felt very anxious and I was looking at everyone waiting thinking, did they have what I had, how well they looked and more importantly, most of them had someone with them.  Unfortunately, I didn’t… my little dog was with my husband in the car park, which worked for us… I took some deep breaths and my name was called.

The wonderful consultant who saw me, looked closely at the mole, took photographs and advised that this needed to come off and although her schedule was running a little behind, today was my day… nervous, grateful, fearful, feeling nauseous, I was escorted into the treatment room where the mole was removed and the wound stitched and dressed under local anaesthetic, which yes, was slightly uncomfortable, but deep breathing helped.  So after about an hour of entering the hospital, including waiting time, the mole was gone.

Within 2 weeks I was back and given the news that my mole was melanoma…scary, but relieved, as all had hopefully been removed.

I’m pleased to say with the help of CNS Kim and the outstanding surgical excision and treatment given by Dr Kopscsany, I’m now on my journey with a fabulous team, knowing the care I will receive will be first class and appropriate to my needs.