Lynne's story

Friday June 27th, 2008 - my 39th birthday. I woke up feeling excited about my day which would be spent shopping, seeing family and friends and going out for dinner with my husband.  Secretly I was also glad that I was still clinging to my 30’s….the dreaded 40 was another year away! Then bang…6pm and my world literally fell apart with one phone call and the words “Lynne, your results are back from the lab and you have malignant melanoma”.

 Two days prior, following the discovery that someone I knew reasonably well had melanoma, I had been to a clinic for my skin WOF and had a rather small and somewhat unremarkable mole removed from my foot.  I certainly wasn’t worried about the results nor was I expecting anything other than a clean bill of health. The call continued with limited details given other than it was a Clarks 3 (whatever that meant) and that I would need to organise wider excision surgery which could involve a skin graft and further testing. I was left in a state of shock and my heart literally pounded with fear and anxiety for the whole weekend. How could something so small be so deadly? My despair was only compounded by my need to jump on the internet and discover as much as possible about my diagnosis and potential prognosis.  The internet is a gold mine in terms of information but it can also be a dangerous ally when you are desperately searching for answers without having the professional expertise, knowledge or understanding of your own situation.
 
Following a visit to the diagnosing doctor on the Monday, I then went on to find a wonderful specialist who performed my wider excision surgery and for the last 12 months I have religiously attended 3 monthly skin check ups. 
 
As with many people whose lives are turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis, I have been plagued by anxiety around the future and have battled with gnawing thoughts such as will it come back, when will it come back, what will I do if it comes back, how will my children and family cope if I die and on a bad day these questions and thoughts literally consumed my every waking thought.
 
For months after my diagnosis my anxiety led me to visit a number of different skin cancer specialists including surgeons and dermatologists, seeking further assurance that the melanoma wouldn’t return.  I have since been told that I am suffering from post traumatic stress which has largely been attributed to the way the news of my diagnosis was delivered. I have seen a counsellor who has helped me come to terms with my diagnosis and accept that my prognosis is positive. 
 
My head still reels when I think about that telephone call. Twelve months on, I have just celebrated my birthday and believe me when I tell you I was ecstatic about turning 40!
 
So in essence, I guess the purpose of my story is two fold.  One, please get your skin checked regularly no matter what age, sex or ethnicity you are.  A simple and painless check could save your life and please remember melanoma has many guises, the smallest and least offensive looking mole can be deadly.  Secondly if you are a doctor or a specialist please, please think carefully about how and when you communicate and deliver the news of a melanoma diagnosis to your patient.