My family is now 3 for 5 on the cancer front

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MesquiteMan

MesquiteMan

Retired Head Moderator
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I guess this is really no big deal but since I mentioned something about it in a post in the puzzle forum, I thought I would update the folks that asked.

I had a spot on my face that did not look right so I went and had it biopsied. I got a call back from the dermatologist last Thursday that it was squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. They were able to get me in the same day and I had it surgically removed. I now have 15 stitches about 1 inch long and a cancer diagnosis to mess up my insurance rates. The Dr. said it is all gone and nothing more to worry about but naturally, I am still concerned.

Out of my mother, father, and 2 sisters, we are now 3 for 5 on cancer. My mom had breast cancer at 42 and is now 65 and has been cancer free for 20+ years. My dad got cancer at 58 and died from it 2 years ago. Now, at 45, I have had cancer. Due to my family history, I am concerned but not staying awake and worrying about it too much!

Anyway, not looking for sympathy or anything, just thought I would mention it for the folks who asked and possibly get words of encouragement from those who have also had skin cancer with no issues!
 
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Curtis,

I had a squamous cell removed from the top of my head three + years ago. Other than the white scar tissue, I have no issues remaining. I see the plastic surgeon at least every six months for a full body scan and have not had any recurrences. As long as you take care to stay out the scorching sun,wear cover ups (hats for me:smile:) and use sun block where/when appropriate you should be fine.

My father and brother both had melanomas. These are the nasty ones.

Stay well, my friend.
 
Don't dispair

Curtis, as you might have seen on here, about 8 days ago I lost my sister to either the flu or pneumonia she was 11 days short of her 92nd birthday. Well she was a redhead and had very sensitive skin...over the last 30 years or so of her life she had skin cancers at least every 3 or 4 years most recently a little over 2 years ago when I last was able to visit her. She recovered fully every time and even though the cancer kept returning it never really endangered her life because, like you, she caught it and had it taken care of.
 
Smitty's story is much like my mother. Now 88, she has had "skin cancer spots" removed regularly since turning about 50 (as I recall). Early on, she was "scared". Now, it is a routine visit to have "another one removed".

NO other cancers have developed.

They do watch and test regularly.
Ed
 
Curtis; A few years back I had a small pimple on my left shoulder. If you messed with it, it would bleed an odd color red and never realy heal. I went in and had it removed. It tested out as skin cancer. I have had no problems since. The main thing that people must do, is if they see something that is not the correct color or doesn't heal, go in and get it checked. Early detection is the key !!! wish you the best !!! Jim S
 
Curtis:
Being fair skinned & a redhead (well before the grey) I too had a couple of "Chunks" (for lack of a better term) removed about 10 years ago.
No problems since
Stay out of the sun !!!
By the way my doctor perscribed a new sunscreen for me...
Everyone else in the world calls it a tarp

Good luck
 
My Dad too had skin cancers removed from his face several times with no long term problems. He finally passed away at the ripe old age of 94 of something other than cancer!
 
That reminds me, I need to schedule my annual appointment. Had my first (and only so far) at age 38.

Yes, the insurance rates will stink:curse:, but chicks dig scars :laugh:(or so I am told . . .)
 
Glad to hear all is well with you! My wife had a spot on her chin she kept putting off having checked, finally went to the dematologist. the next week and a few stiches later she was good to go. Skin cancer seems to run in her family, her granfather would routinely go in for treatment.
Caught early, its easy to treat.
Cheers
 
Three years ago this March I had a penny size melanoma removed from the back of my head ( 10 inch scar). The doctor noticed it in a routine health check and now I have a dermatologist and a plastic surgeon give me a full body scan every 6 months. Now I wear long sleeves and a wide primed hat when going outdoors plus the sun screen. Days of laying out in the sun are now over. Important to act quickly and aggressively on these skin cancers. Darrell
 
I had a Squamous cancer growth removed from my nose in 2004 and have no issues. I understand the squeamishness around this tho - I too have had several members of my family with serious cancer issues and I was worried about it for a couple of years! I go for check ups every 6 months but they never find anything! I have learned to have faith that God has a better idea about my future than I do! Peace does return!
 
Thank you all for the words of encouragement! I got news from the Dr. today that the margins were clear on the part they removed which means they got it all. My Dr. said I will need to be checked again in 3 months, then every 6 months for a year, then annually. They will even send me a post card to remind me and if I don't make an appointment, they will call and bug me! So, it sounds like I am in good hands and will live to deleted even more posts and threads! Just joking, of course!
 
Curtis, glad to hear that the removal was a success. I know the feeling.
Had a squamous cell removed from the top of my head a little over three years ago. Everything still looks good-I can deal with the scar - just talk about the "brain surgery"!! Without hair on the bean and fair skin, I spent too many years letting the sun cook my brain. Like yours, they got it early - glad we have good doctors.
I guess I'll be wearing a hat outdoors all the time. :cowboy:
Take care
gordon
 
Glad that you caught it in time. This is the most common type of skin cancer. All of us who burned every summer, peeled and burned again are candidates for this type of skin cancer as we age. We should all have someone check out the parts of our bodies that we cannot see. I recommend pictures of anything that doesn't look right and then keep a log to see if there is any changes. Catching it quickly is the key to it not getting our of hand.
 
Thanks for the update. Ms. Cindy is right make sure to have anything checked out that doesn't look right. Taking care of oneself is a full time job but the benefits are well worth it.
 
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