So there was the breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2005-06 and the tonsil cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2008. I have been pronounced cancer free from both of these so far. Whew.

But wait! What's that small blackish round flat growth thingey on my right temple, about an inch to the right of my eye? I saw my primary doc 2 days ago (I have no faith in him whatsoever, but count on him to refer me to a specialist) who referred me to a dermatologist for a biopsy. The appointment is set for April 12.

I grew up on beaches and know that skin cancer is common among those of us who specialized in tanning during our teen years (we applied a baby oil and iodine mixture to facilitate tanning). So far none of us have died of skin cancer but there have been a few who have had cancerous tissue removed with success.

Wish me luck! Skin cancer seems so mundane compared to oral cancer but I do realize that there are those who have died from it. My gut feeling is that I don't have to worry about this....

We'll see.

Mimi

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Hi Mimi

I've got my fingers crossed for you. For your own peace of mind, it's too bad he couldn't get you in sooner.

Julia

I will be thinking of you on the 12th. I too did the baby oil in the teens and try to look but heck. I never know what I am really looking at. Glad you are having it checked out further - so sorry that you have to!!

Hi Mimi, I'm sure your gut feeling will be right but even so, it's bound to be a bit of a worry. I'm thinking of you and will be glad when you tell us it's all clear
Take care, Hagg.

Got the results of the biopsy a few minutes ago and it is basal cell carcinoma which, if you have your choce in the matter, is probably the least invasive cancer one can hope for.

The biopsy was painless; I kept waiting for the 'pinch' and next thing I knew she was putting a bandaid on the site. The surgery will be rather short and will take about 20-30 minutes in her office. I had a choice of having this dermatologist MD do it (30 minutes, scar about 3/4 inch long) or a dermatological surgeon (all day, scar about 1/2 inch long). I chose her - I've had enough of docs and treatments to last a life time. Thirty minutes is sufficient for what turns out to be a minor procedure.

Don't have the appt yet; the appt setter is out to lunch right now. Will let you know how it goes. Thank goodness this form of skin cancer isn't the 'bad' one.

Mimi

I'm so gutted for you Mimi, I know you'll kick it's ass but you've had enough crap. I'm thinking of you and sending you all my best vibes. Hagg.

My mom just had one removed and she was in and out - clear margins - DONE! While it sucks and may sound funny out of all the skin cancers it is the "best" one to have.

Hi Mimi
So sorry about your latest diagnosis, but like everyone says, if it's the 'best' one to have I suppose that's something! Also, once you've had cancer once, you've kind of jumped into the void, so you don't need to make that leap again.
Anyway, good luck for the op. is that it after that?
Vicky x

Hey everyone!

I had the basal cell carcinoma surgery today and it was a walk in the park (or choose your vernacular: a piece of/easy as cake; a cake walk; duck soup; a breeze; easy as pie; easy as falling/rolling off a log; a snap; a day at the beach; a can of corn).

The tumor was 3mm (0.11811 inches) which leads me to wonder how she ever found it! I was lucky that it turned into a little black spot that I casually questioned my doc about while in his office for another annoyance. It was located right beneath the skin so the 10 or so deadening injections were barely noticeable. She put a headband on me to hold my hair back, covered my eyes so that I couldn't see that glaring light, and about 5 minutes later had removed the tumor and stitched up the incision. She removed some surrounding tissue so that the margins could be inspected by the lab. I have a gut feeling this is nothing.

We're so used to varying levels of pain after all we've been through that this one was a relief. On that 1-10 pain scale, it was truly a 1 or 2, comparable to snapping your fingers - no pain, just a sensation of something different. Whew! I kinda' knew it would be that way so drove myself to and from the office without having to bother anyone else I know who have real jobs.

I go back next Tuesday to have the stitches removed and to find out the results of the lab report. Because it's the least invasive form of cancer and doesn't spread and one that hardly anyone dies from, I'm feeling good about this. I do wonder though why I don't have those dissolving stitches, but that's just my own curiosity and not a complaint.

Please contemplate for a few moments about those affected by the floods in the American South.

Will share the details from the tumor biopsy when I receive them.

Thanks for listening!

Mimi

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So GLAD you got it taken care of!! GO MIMI!!!!

Thats great news, Mimi.
Best Wishes
Vicky x

Mimi, you kick ass

Hi Mimi you are a brave women, I just pray for you hope everything is fine. Just keep fighting. My best wishes are always with you.

Whoops! Forgot to give the biopsy report. The margins were clear so once again I'm cancer free.

Thanks to everyone for the support!

Mimi

You're a star Mimi.