Around early 2019, I noticed the freckle above my knee was getting larger.  Initially going to my GP and asked if I can be referred to a Dermatologist, my GP looked with his Dermoscopy and said, “no it is fine”.   Six months later after I decided to see a different GP, who did refer me – so, in late September a biopsy was taken from my leg, and was told, I think it might be Melanoma and was sure it was in its early stage. I am optimistic, so I wasn’t worried.   Results showed it was Melanoma, and its only stage 2.

January 2020, my surgeon Mr Pakzad performed the operation successfully.  In March, I was extremely worried, as my leg wouldn’t bend – it felt like a block of wood was stopping it. So, I called one of Mr Pakzad’s nurses in St Luke’s asking if I could tail onto the end of their clinic and they said yes.  My surgeon put my mind at rest and said that I just need some physiotherapy. The relief was cathartic, as I didn’t think I was going to be able to walk properly again, which frightened me enormously. Sadly, the wait for the NHS was one month, so I went privately asap, and after two one-hour sessions, I was practically walking normally again. I kept up my physiotherapy for four further weeks, which made all the difference.   We are all looked after well and should be grateful for the wonderful Royal Surrey, as I feel with all departments, it is a good hospital with great staff.