Skin Cancer Support Group
If you or a loved one has skin cancer, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, and meet others going through the same. Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin, which can have many causes, including repeated severe sunburns or long-term exposure to the sun. Skin cancer generally develops in the outermost layer of skin so a tumor is usually...
First, how do you upload a picture as a profile? Sorry about this mundane stuff, but I can't figure it out.
anyway, had a large BCC on my forehead, finally went to a plastic surgeon and got it removed. I'm surprised how much it hurt afterward (I've been thru alot with BCC). He offered codeine. Now I know, when a doctor offers you codine it really will hurt, and I must insist on vicadin or something else (codeine does not effect me at all, I could sprinkle it on my cereal for goodness sake.)
Otherwise, I'm glad I got it taken care of, b/c it was noticeable-- a nice little red bump that had started to bleed . Lovely! (unlike other BCC Ive had, which were not that noticable.)
But anyway, I told him, don't stitch me up if it pulls my eyebrow up-- I'll let it heal on it's own. He said, don't worry it won't and pinched my skin and showed me in the mirror. No arched eyebrow.
But now it seems, it DID pull my eyebrow up. Well, at this point, my face is so messed up from preious BCC surgery no one will notice it, but still.....
Well, I'm hoping it will stretch in time.
Oh, I'm not looking forward to a lifetime of getting these things removed. (I believe this is my 6th and I'm 43). I have to get into some kind of clincial trial.
Not looking for advice, just venting. Also wondering if doctors have gone too far in removing this. I don't recall seeing people walking around with their face disfigured from BCC-- I mean ever! is this new or what?
anyway, had a large BCC on my forehead, finally went to a plastic surgeon and got it removed. I'm surprised how much it hurt afterward (I've been thru alot with BCC). He offered codeine. Now I know, when a doctor offers you codine it really will hurt, and I must insist on vicadin or something else (codeine does not effect me at all, I could sprinkle it on my cereal for goodness sake.)
Otherwise, I'm glad I got it taken care of, b/c it was noticeable-- a nice little red bump that had started to bleed . Lovely! (unlike other BCC Ive had, which were not that noticable.)
But anyway, I told him, don't stitch me up if it pulls my eyebrow up-- I'll let it heal on it's own. He said, don't worry it won't and pinched my skin and showed me in the mirror. No arched eyebrow.
But now it seems, it DID pull my eyebrow up. Well, at this point, my face is so messed up from preious BCC surgery no one will notice it, but still.....
Well, I'm hoping it will stretch in time.
Oh, I'm not looking forward to a lifetime of getting these things removed. (I believe this is my 6th and I'm 43). I have to get into some kind of clincial trial.
Not looking for advice, just venting. Also wondering if doctors have gone too far in removing this. I don't recall seeing people walking around with their face disfigured from BCC-- I mean ever! is this new or what?
I'm distrusting of surgeons after my experience and hearing other people's experiences. They seem like politicians lying here, embellishing there. Just give it to me straight, that's what I say!
Anyway, ScottishGreenEyes had a brillent idea about changing one's diet to reduce BCC and other cancers. I'm curious myself so I'm a veggie eating machine these days. I honestly believe that a rigourous diet of nutritious, unprocessed foods can really help with preventing skin cancer.
Hugs and love.
But if I thought if I DIRECTLY said don't do it if it will pull up my eyebrow, I was clear enough. But maybe it will stretch.
I am depressed today. I can't believe how BCC has taken over my life. I never imagined this.
It will heal, though.
Hope you are doing well. How is your lip?
I'm sending you cyber hugs and positive vibes. The worst is over for you and now it's time to super heal! Many blessings~
But, all in all, he left a beautiful scar! i was amazed, b/c it was over an inch long, and really, after just a few days almost imperceptible. He used "buried stiches.:"
But of course, it sems one of the stitches got inflamed, and i got prescribed antibiotics. It may come out on it's own, or else they'll have to go dig it out. But it made the scar open at points and pus up.
Plus, they didn't get all th BCC, some left on the margin but I said thanks, but no thanks, no more surgery.
He then suggested photolight teatment as a kind of chemotherapy. Which I have never heard of. It's good for superficial BCC. We'll see.
I'm happy I got most of it removed, and the scar which will probably be minimal is very close to my hairline, so won't be too noticeable.
I'm a good patient now, oh a scar, oh it didn't heal? Are you cutting my nose, whel then, it's just fine and dandy!
has the pull on your eyebrow gone away ? how is the scar doing now.
cyber hugs for you
I had to pull out a couple of the stitches by myself.
Honestly, at this point, I don't even care anymore. I'm probably goign to hae more surgery on my nose--so that's what I'm thing about.
Thanks for asking! cyber hugs to you too!
Will you have the same surgeon do your nose ?
How come they did'nt get all the bcc ,did you have Mohs or just a dig and hope for the best ?
I have been told Mohs is the best option as they get 94% of the cancer
and I am hoping they not be telling fibs .....
cyber prayers being sent to you and a squishy hug
I will most likely be going back for corrective surgery on my nose. From my cheek flap surgery, i was left with no indentation on one side of my nose.
The plastic surgeon at Sloan Kettering in NYC recommended a slight surgery to cut away the skin there and thin it out, I would therefore have more of an indent. It won't be perfect, but it's unaccepatable to me now.
Of course, there was a hiccup. Shw was afraid my nostril might collapse--she thinks that my skin being pulled so tight is was it actually holding my nostril up.
hard to describe. But my luck, it will collapse and I'll have to get another cartilage graft from my ear.
But I'm willing to take the chance. I'm 43 and don't want to look like this forever.
Really appreciate you asking!!!
How are you healing?
I hope all goes well with your next surgery as you have been through so much , maybe this next treatment will make your facial appearance much improved and more acceptable to you ,
hugs across the miles ...