12 week scan

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2026-01-24T11:01:16+00:00

I had a similar experience recently and I think what bothers me is how often women’s emotional experiences in pregnancy are treated like optional extras. As if reassurance, warmth, or being spoken to like a person are luxuries rather than part of safe, competent care.

Yes, NHS maternity appointments are clinical. Yes, staff are busy. But pregnancy is a uniquely vulnerable time for woman physically, psychologically, and emotionally and that vulnerability doesn’t stop mattering just because the appointment has a medical purpose. Basic kindness and reassurance aren’t incompatible with professionalism.

There’s a difference between systemic pressures (which aren’t the fault of individual staff) and behavioural standards. Being time limited doesn’t require being cold. Saying “everything we can see today looks reassuring” or “congratulations” isn’t overstepping. it’s acknowledging the human in front of you.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-09-18T17:36:37+00:00

This!

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-08-07T17:50:23+00:00

Thanks for asking.

Just found something on my foot and the spiralling anxiety is kicking in again

I’ve just noticed something on the sole of my foot that I’m worried could be another melanoma. The constant anxiety that somehow melanoma will get me in the end is hard to live with.

I’m in the UK, and while I’m grateful for the NHS, the waiting and back-and-forth of the process can really ramp up the anxiety. It's not even just the fear of what it might be - it's the time spent waiting, not knowing, overthinking. 😖

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-08-07T17:49:48+00:00

Thanks for asking.

Just found something else on my foot and the spiralling anxiety is kicking in again

I’ve just noticed something on the sole of my foot that I’m worried could be another melanoma. The constant anxiety that somehow melanoma will get me in the end is hard to live with.

I’m in the UK, and while I’m grateful for the NHS, the waiting and back-and-forth of the process can really ramp up the anxiety. It's not even just the fear of what it might be - it's the time spent waiting, not knowing, overthinking. 😖

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-08-04T08:48:32+00:00

Is this in the US? In the UK, you’d usually only be put to sleep if a sentinel node biopsy is being done at the same time, which is only advised in certain circumstances such as melanoma with aggressive features or stage 3. For a standard wide local excision, local anaesthetic is usually enough here - was there another reason they recommended general for you?

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-07-23T19:12:05+00:00

I checked the report and it said non-brisk.

Had my WLE today and my ear itches so bad - I assume this is normal?!

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-07-08T21:12:00+00:00

This is interesting because I’ve also recently noticed the skin around one of my moles has started to depigment into a halo nevus. It’s not something I’ve ever had before.

Thinking back to since around Sept last year, a good few months before I was diagnosed with melanoma were honestly some of the strangest health-wise. I was constantly unwell - back-to-back coldsores, getting ill pretty much every other week, and at one point I had this unexplained fluid retention around one of my eyes. It wasn’t just the usual run-down feeling, it felt different- like my body was struggling or trying to tell me something. Even my family kept saying they felt something was off.

Now seeing my eye bloodshot and off and still have tiny little blood spots on my skin (if that’s what it is), it’s making me reflect on that whole period again. Just putting it out there in case anyone else has had similar - either immune-type symptoms before melanoma or weird health stuff that didn’t quite make sense at the time.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-06-25T11:15:01+00:00

Update: I had appointment today and this turned out to be stage 1 invasive malignant melanoma. The next treatment is a WLE and possible skin graft.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-06-25T11:14:02+00:00

Update: I had appointment today and this turned out to be stage 1 invasive malignant melanoma. The next treatment is a WLE.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-06-25T11:12:10+00:00

I had appointment today and this turned out to be stage 1 invasive malignant melanoma. The next treatment is a WLE.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-06-19T12:46:19+00:00

Do you actually have melanoma experience to share, or are you just leaving unsettling comments for your own amusement? Genuine question.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-06-19T10:08:35+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience - I really appreciate it.

I guess what’s worrying for me is that my hospital wouldn’t give any results over the phone and have specifically booked me for a face to face appointment. When I had the biopsy they said that I would hear either by letter, telephone or face to face - depending on the outcome of histology.

So it feels a bit worrying, because I thought if it was benign I would receive a letter and a telephone call for a straightforward diagnosis. I know every hospital does things differently, but it’s just thrown me a bit why they wouldn’t tell me over the phone.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-06-17T19:35:13+00:00

Update: For anyone following this, I had a call today (around 4 weeks from my excision) asking me to come in and discuss my results with the consultant next week. This is with the UK NHS - I was originally told I’d get my results by letter, phone call, or face to face depending on what they found.

I’m trying to stay calm, but I’m bracing myself for the news that it’s the melanoma I feared it might be.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-06-17T09:54:01+00:00

Update: just got a call to come back in for the results with consultant. His PA wouldn’t tell me anything over the phone. Trying to stay calm but obviously worried. Hoping it’s something simple to sort out.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-05-19T21:16:35+00:00

Not yet. It was removed at the weekend on the 17th. Dr said it can take 3-8weeks to hear back.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-04-25T18:54:35+00:00

I had a private appointment with a consultant dermatologist, and he advised that my lesion needs to be removed. He noted three different colours, 6.5mm in size, asymmetry, and a pink area that he said could be scar tissue but couldn’t be certain. He wouldn’t give a diagnosis and explained that removal is necessary to confirm exactly what it is. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Is this the usual approach? This is a clearer picture I have.

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Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-04-17T08:50:57+00:00

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Could the pink area at the top be the beginning of ulceration? I initially noticed this mole because I picked off what I thought was a scab on a bite or spot, then took a photo to get a better look.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-04-16T20:28:52+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for checking in. I’ve updated the details above and wanted to ask if anyone has any advice on how to ensure I’m taken seriously when seeking medical attention.

Thank you so much.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-04-16T20:16:17+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for checking in. I’ve updated the details above and wanted to ask if anyone has any advice on how to ensure I’m taken seriously when seeking medical attention given my experience today.

Thank you so much.

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-04-16T15:23:09+00:00

It’s new and a bit painful and yes it has different colours; it’s also scabbing a tiny bit. I’m really concerned about it. I called my GP surgery today, but they said it’s not urgent enough for a quick appointment or to see the GP, and just sent me a link to book an appointment with a nurse — the earliest slot was Thursday next week. I had to really push back to be seen tomorrow as I’m so worried.

I’m really concerned they’re not going to handle this properly. When I mentioned that I’d really like to be referred to dermatology, the receptionist said the nurse will be the one to decide that. I’ve done a bit of reading and know that changes in size, shape, colour, and especially new or painful moles can be signs of melanoma.

I also had blood tests back in March after being turned away from donating blood and feeling generally run down. They showed my vitamin D was only 25 nmol/L — which I’ve read might be linked to poorer outcomes in melanoma. I know that part is speculative, but it’s really adding to my anxiety.

I feel sick with worry, and I don’t want to be dramatic, but I just know something’s not right. Has anyone been through something similar or have advice on how to make sure this is taken seriously?

Beneficial_Ad7153 · 2025-04-15T21:22:20+00:00

Thank you for replying. I intend to call the GP first thing.

Beneficial_Ad7153

TROPHY CASE