"Wonderful treatment"

I have been so lucky to have had wonderful treatment from the Dermatology dept for my melanoma. What I thought was just a lump on my neck turned out to be a cancerous melanoma. Initially the lump did not look like a melanoma but after it was removed and it was found to be cancerous. Being told this was emotionally very upsetting as now one can prepare you for being told you have cancer.

I then had a procedure very soon after the diagnosis to remove a larger area as well as a sentinal node biopsy. The plastic surgeon, Mr Rymer, was amazing. The result of the biopsy was that there was cancer in some of the lymph but having had a CT scan it appears that the cancer had not spread and entered the lymphatic system.

I have also had an MRI scan as well as an appointment with the Oncologist Dr Welsh. She gave me advice as to how to prevent the cancer from coming back such as a change to my diet, covering up etc.

I am now under the North Devon Dermatology dept for the next five years with three monthly CT scans as well as a full body check.

I recently had my first full check carried out by Avril the nurse.

I was also given advice as to how to check my lympth glands and to contact them immediately if any lumps or odd looking moles etc.

It was a great appointment and I can only say the treatment for my melanoma has been truly amazing.

Everyone from the consultants to the nurses as well as all the other health care workers who have been with me through this journey have been amazing.

I know there is a chance that the cancer may come back but hopefully it will be detected early so that treatment can give me the best chance of a positive outcome.

What I have realized is that without the initial early diagnosis my outcome could have been very different.