just got one of those calls............
hillbille
Member Posts: 14,393 ✭✭✭✭
you don't want to get. The VA hasn't had a dermotologist for quite a few months and I have put off having a bump on my arm looked at till it doubled in size in the last month. got the OK to have it looked at out of the system here locally. the cut it off the day they looked at it last week and sent it off for testing. they just called and said it was cancer, squausous? cell and scheduled me to come back so they can take off some more a little deeper to be sure to get it all. it went from the size of a pencil lead to about twice the size of pencil eraser in about 4-5 weeks. I just hope I didn't let it go to long, but the young lady I talked to said she thought it should be no problem and she was sure they doctor could get it all, and I would only be left with a few stitches, I know it isn't the worst thing out there but you still hate to hear the cancer word thrown at you........
Comments
Prayers that they get it all and a few stitches is all that remains.
Hoping it all turns out well for you.
Amen to that susie.
Prayers and luck wishes your way
Try not to lose any sleep over it hillbille. I've had 3 of these same type squamous cancerous growths in the past couple of years. Two on my left forearm and just a couple months ago on my face close to my right eye. The VA had me see a local dermatologist each time. Had to go back twice on this recent one. They performed what they call Mohs surgery to remove tissue from the spot and quickly test the sample to see if the area is clear of cancer.
I was also told that the squamous type is not nearly as serious as the dreaded Melanoma type but it is very important to keep it in check with regular visits to your dermatologist. I opted out of the stitches on my last * Mohs surgery skin removal. Told the doc that scars add character to us old codgers. He just smiled and patted me on the back. After about 5 months, there is just a little tear shaped divot that has totally healed next to my eye. Heck! Kids these days pay big bucks for stuff like this! 😁
I've been visited by both of the Noma cousins: Mel and Carson. My melanoma was the "six month" kind - if you ignore it for six months, you're dead. That one was on the back of my neck, which not coincidentally was the only part of me exposed to the sun when flying jets at high altitude, with the canopy acting like a magnifying glass. They got that one with the Mohs procedure.
Then they found a carcinoma on the tip of my left ear. They cut that out and grafted in a plug from my back. That ear has been overly sensitive ever since.
I get "full Monty" checkups every year now, and they often cut out something suspicious, but no other cancers so far. Oh, my dermatologist is a lovely 30-something lady who is very professional while she's probing all my parts. It was only disconcerting the first time. Now, we chat while she does her thing and I try to ignore her doing her thing.
Yeah thats what the gal at the dermotologist told me, pretty common and gotten early enough no big deal. I have been through a lot worse the last few years and still have a couple things pending besides this. Its just with my family history I hate to hear the C word.... thanks all for the good thoughts and prayers
Wish you all the best hillbille. Hey, a little scar just adds character. Just think of all the stories you can make up such as the big knife fight at the Full Throttle Saloon where you cleaned house.
Prayer and best wishes.
Prayers for your situation.....