A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2005 the thing on my face

So, I've had this thing on my face for a couple years and it comes and goes and itches and bleeds and scabs and then it's back to skin color but still kinda there always. I'd been thinking about having my doctor look at it and I kept putting it off and thinking I was at the doctors in March for a procedure of another kind and noone says anything about the "thing on my face" and I've been to the dentist not only every six months but also had some work done which I think was an extra 3-4 visits and he never said anything about it either?
So my sisters all came up this summer (in overlapping shifts) and they're all saying have that "thing on your face" looked at will ya? One of them even said , "That's cancer, you idiot, call the doctor tomorrow .

So this was in August, first I go to see my PC, and the nurse and doctor say, oh you're the one with the "thing on your face". The doctor takes one look and gives me the sad , pathetic look and asks about family history, sun exposure (duh, I live at the beach) and says it looks like skin cancer, probably basal cell. Normally she herself would do the biopsy but she won't do it because she doesn't want to mess up my face. She wants me to go to a dermatologist, they'll do the biopsy first and when the results come back then they'll probably remove it and have a plastic surgeon on hand to "fix" my face.
The dermatologist is 40 miles away. I called to make the appointment and she says they have nothing until late December, I said , "um, I think my dr. wanted me seen before then, but o.k." So she takes all my personal info and then asks what the referall was for so I read off the paperwork "abnormal skin lesion on face" and she says, "Actually, I have an opening this Wednesday at 3" O.k., now we're getting somewhere.....

This is such a long post........There's more to the story, let me know if you're with me so far.......I do have basal cell carcinoma but they tell me it's the "best kind of cancer to have" Woohoo! :p

Melcon, I am so sorry to hear this. And you do not sound the least bit incompetant.

We have a huge family history of such things and so my siblings and I are very familiar -- by observation and by personal experience.

It is VERY GOOD that you are being seen as quickly as you are.

Merme

I'm with you...
...and I want the rest of the story.


I know nothing about this...don't know anyone whose had this. So, I'm kinda ignorant on the subject. All I know is...when I hear "cancer" from one of my friends, it makes me worried and upset.

Cindy

Wow, you guys are making me cry so I wanted to wrap them up for him! She wouldn't give them to me, but did give me some awesome ideas of hideous things to plop into a specimen jar for him.

Then she cuts off a tiny piece of the "thing on my face" and sends that off to the lab. She then suggests because I live so far away they have the surgeon peek in and do the consulatation now and I can skip that visit and (save some gas) the surgeon did come in , she said, yup looks like basal cell. They tell me that it should take 1 - 1 1/2 weeks before I hear from the lab, then we'll schedule the surgery Mohs surgery

I called them after 2 weeks had gone by and nothing. The woman who answered the phone just took my message and they called back 4 1/2 hours later and said they didn't know why the lab had been holding my results but ,yes , you have cancer (the two cocoa pebbles are normal). She starts talking about scheduling a consultation but I tell her we can skip that because I already saw the doctor, she says "oh, I didn't know that because we can't find your records (DUH, maybe that's why the lab couldn't send the results) I've had Steve looking for them all day. So I told her have him try looking in Dr. Byrnes records , and she's like oh good idea. I'll have the dr. call you on Monday.

No one called today?????

I'd be FLOODING that office with phone calls, Melcon! You should have heard something by the close of business today, so get right on the phone first thing in the morning!

I'd also give the surgeon a "head's up" the next time you see him, that his staff wasn't exactly efficient in this matter.

Merme

I know, I love the doctor and assistant, now if the rest of them could get their poop together!

My goodness, you speed reader!

You know, I'm most pi$$ed off at my dentist, the lesion is right between my nose and upper lip, he does checks for mouth cancer?

I second that!

My Monday night counselor is on her way in, so I gotta go for now. But Melcon, you know I'm here even when the computer is off for a bit.

Merme

Thank you sweetie, , I'm going to bed, I'm tired tonight from staying up too late on the forum last night, all those shotz from Weezie did me in!

hey Mel

my sis had one of those lesions taken off of her cheek.

No scars,and she said it didn't hurt.
Take care and try not to be scared.


Shari

Hi Mel.....
Sorry I kept you up so late, it was just fun
doin' "shotz with ya"

Mel, ditto what duckie said. My brother had the same kind of cancer on his back - they took it off last summer, and it's totally gone. He worked at a cancer center at the time, so he was well prepared/educated by his colleagues, etc. - and he said the same thing to me at the time - that it's the best kind to have...so you're okay I would be on the horn with that office too though - no excuse for such inadequacies when it's so important that they're NOT! Hang in there - I'm with ya - and it's all gonna be okay!

Wow, Mel, that's crazy! I'm glad to hear it's the "best kind to have", but even so, it must have scared you some. Hope you're fine, and give the doctor's office h@#l!

Well...I'm kinda like Cindy...the word "cancer" in itself is a scortcher for me...but..I am so glad you had the proceedure done and since everyone here says you're fine...then hey...take it and run! This is a pretty smart bunch of cookies!

Don't be scared Mel, basal cell is the most common form of cancer and is easy to remove. It's unsightly but not deadly and is pretty slow growing. Eventually it will get large enough to leave scarring when removed but it sounds like yours is not that large yet. Don't wait too long but also don't worry.

Thank you all for your encouraging words!

well, bug the sh!~ out of them!! YOU are too important to become "just a specimen" to them. and keep us posted!

They finally called back to schedule the surgery, but they only do it on mon or fri and my days off are wed and thurs so I have to ask my boss which day would be best. They've got Dec. 5, 12, or 16 available . The 16th would be best because that's my last day of work then 3 weeks vacation and then it can heal and my "kids" at school won't see it, but it's clean-up day and none of us can miss that day because we scrub the kitchen from top to bottom and it's the work Christmas party so I'll miss that but........I gotta call my boss today and see what he thinks.......it's funny how I've had this thing on my face for two years but now that I know it's cancer I can't wait to get it off! :p

Good, you don't need to wait to get it off...I would be like that too....that would work good if you could do it before your vacation....but, if not...I don't think it will look that bad..if you are worried about it "scaring" the kids.

They're high school kids, so not so much scaring them as will it look gross! When I had the biopsy it was scabby for over 2 weeks and the kids thought I had blemish problems and pick at my face or something, I did have a chat with some of them and told them what it was . I've talked to some of the girls who like to go tanning, trying to get them to think about the future and taking care of their skin, but you know teens , they always think it won't happen to them.

When I was growing up sunscreen was a t-shirt thrown on after 1/2 day at the beach and already turning red! We spent summers living on Cape Cod and going to the beach or out on the boat every single day. Now that I live at the beach , I take pride in my own kids lilly white skin! Some people always think they are too white and they need some color, I say :p

Melcon, I absolutely agree with you about protecting the children's skin.

My dad died at age 40 from malignant melanoma, the kind of cancer that starts with a mole that gets changed by the sun. His was on his back, up near the shoulder, and like most healthy young guys back then, he ran around outdoors without a shirt.

All of his kids have been hyper-vigilant about our children's skin. Even when they complain! And because our physicians all know about our family history, they pay attention to our skin as well, just keeping an eye out in case we miss something. In fact, one of us visits a dermatologist routinely to have photos taken of all skin areas so the doc can have comparison shots.

So even if others think you are bonkers about insisting on protecting the children's skin, you just keep right on doing it.

And good for you, too, trying to educate the "invincible" teens at your school...

I hope your boss comes up with a good suggestion on which day to pick for your surgery. One that doesn't just work out ok for his schedule, but one that also works well for you, giving you enough time to have it done and feel your best again before returning!

PLEASE keep us posted.

Merme

There's some really good tanning cremes, lotions
and spray on stuff that work really nice...

No need for sun, well, I take that back...
Yes there is...You do need it for a few minutes
aday to absorb thru your skin for vitamin D..

And plants need it realllllllllly bad...

As a member of the lily-white, I identify with the feeling. I can't wear shorts for fear of blinding someone with the reflections coming off my white never-seen-the-sun sausage-legs. It's particularly embarassing out here in Cali, since most people are darker, and even in panty hose, I'm paler than anyone I know. Still, better to be pale than get skin cancer, and melanoma runs in our family, too.

Um, Mel, to want it taken off ASAP as soon as you heard the word "cancer", well that's just good common sense on your part. No need to tempt fate.

You are so funny GG! The only thing that saves me from blinding people is the millions of freckles that cover my lilly white legs!

So Melcon, what did your boss say?

Merme

um, I haven't asked him yet, but I gotta work today and I will

Mel, a teacher at my school had that kind of cancer years ago. I recently talked to her about going to the Relay with me in June as a survivor and she said "well, it was only basal cell...." and I said, "BUT it was STILL cancer". So, she didn't seem to think it was all that bad. ANYWAYS...the point of this is that it seems like it won't take much to get rid of it!!

I'm like geegee...absolutly no color on my skin...and Stephen is the same. We hate the sun...and the sun hates us. I guess its a mutual hatred.

I got my surgery scheduled for Dec. 16th

All three of my wives were lilly white a contrast to my family we brown up easily and seldom burn. I sunburnt once as a kid was irragating a grape vinyard in New Mexico tore sleeves out of my shirt knowing better with 120 degree heat hot sun reflecting off the water on the vinyard got 3rd degree burns on both arms. Outside of that we all just turn brown back whe I was working outside all the time I got really dark about all bleached out now. Mel hope all goe swell praying it will. Send you some of my brown genes if I could.
Jimmy

My grandmother was a very modest woman who never wore slacks and would have never even thought about wearing shorts. She was always covered from head to toe..even on the hottest days...and even having no air conditioner. So, as corny as it may sound...when she passed away...I wanted to see her "skin". I have no idea why that even popped into my head other than knowing her skin had never seen sunlight. But, let me tell you..I have never seen anything like it. Her skin was the most beautiful "mother of pearl" color I have ever seen. It was almost exactly like a mother of pearl stone with a glitter, glowing effect. Absolutely beautiful and I have always been glad I had that crazy notion to want to see it.

Wow, that is amazing,I'm glad you did it.

Vanessa my Grandmother wore the same type dress. Never pants she thought only tramps wore pants. Her collar was buttoned and her dress went to the floor she had long black hair that drug the floor. I used to love watching her put all that hair in a bun on back of her head. Still don't know how she did it. Don't know about her skin but her face and hands were real dark as she worked outside until cancer got so bad she couldn't. Man this place stirs the ole memory at times.
Jimmy

I went to the dentist yesterday for a cleaning and although the dentist himself was not there, the hygenist was very interested in the thing on my face, she called the other hygenist in to look at it and also the dental assistant. They didn't know that basal cell carcinoma looked like this. One of them said her mother-in-law had something that looked just like it on her shoulder and had asked her about it just recently and so now she's gonna call her and make her go to the doctor to have it checked out. They want me to have the specialist send them the picture so they can all be on the lookout for skin cancer on their patients

Now that is very nice, Mel...

That's a wonderful thing that dentist
office can do for their patients...

Why do you have to wait until December to have it removed? You all should read Cancer Schmancer by Fran Drescher - she had a hard time getting a diagnosis then decided to take control of things. You should call your doctor that you DON'T WANT TO WAIT. Get it over with.

What is up with these doctors lately? Do you think it's because they hire non professionals to work in their offices so they don't have to pay much?

That is what I would LOVE some one to tell us?
The mass they found on hubby's hip...they have been suppose to get him in to a cancer Dr. to have it checked...we JUST found out yesterday that they finally got him an appt..........Dec 2nd! Now, remember they discovered the mass in August!!! One would think that if they are looking at it as possible cancer...they might try to hurry and get it checked out...

I think there are only a few doctors trained in Maine to do the Mohs surgery, I'm o.k.

Mel...you're a HERO...you are gonna save the world!

Yup, one freckle at a time!

Thought I'd bring this back up to emphasize if you've got anything odd, have it checked out right away, I've had the thing on my face for about 2 years that I remember and honestly didn't think much of it until this past summer. Although the lesion looked very small to me , because of it's deep roots it took over 30 stitches to patch it up once it was removed. Most of you know I had the surgery yesterday and this is what it looks like today:



This is with a dime for prespective



NOtice the bandage covering my nostril! It's driving me nuts, bandage can come off tomorrow afternoon. The doc wanted to show me the wound right after stitching it up yesterday but after she explained how it was gonna look really bad to me, but looked really good to her a couple tears accidently slid down my cheeks and I declined to look............

Oh, Mel!

Cindy Faye

I hope you are able to rest well, Melcon, and heal fast!

Merme

h Mel...bless your heart..30 stitches..that is a BUNCH!!! That pic kinda reminded me of when I had those 21 teeth extracted last February.
I know that is uncomfortable now...but you have it done and wont have to worry with it now. I hope the swelling goes down quickly. Do I need to make you some chicken soup? A malt...what ever you want...


~V~

Thanks you guys, Vanessa, funny you should mention food, or should I say, of course you should mention food, I was just thinking "What can I eat?" I can't really close my mouth all the way so things just fall back out! The soup sounds awesome, but messy. Coffee wasn't easy this morning, only got down 1/2 cup, this coming from someone who's used to 8! The Ben & Jerry's ice cream was good last night but I'm all out now and don't feel like going to the store, and now I'm sipping diet coke with a straw,. Did you know that straws don't work when you can't close your mouth?

oh, Mel... I'm so glad you have gotten this taken care of!
In the scheme of life, this too shall pass, and you'll feel so much better knowing that you're on the other side of this anxiety now.

I hope you have a very speedy recovery,
and that life only brings you joy now.

shotz when you're ready Mel!

Mel, I was gonna ask if you could use a straw. Try wrapping your tongue around the straw, pushing it up to the roof of your mouth for the suction instead of closing your mouth. I had to learn to do that when I had my oral surgery...just takes a little practice but you will get the hang of it...


~V~

Aw, thank you lynne! Can I do shots with a straw, cuz thanks to vanessa I'm getting the hang of this straw thing!

'Nessa! What a clever idea for using a straw when one can't shut the mouth around it!!

Merme

Necessity is the mother of invention!

Mel, thanx so much for sharing all this with us... it's an interesting thread, to say the least. I sincerely hope that people take heed & have their "parts" checked out if anything irregular appears, after reading this. While you may have been fortunate in the type of CA this was, others may not be as lucky. (Life is "too short" already, so procrastintion here is a dangerous game... the dishes & the laundry don't go anywhere--they wait for you, but some bad things just GROW while they're "waiting"!)

AND... don't forget the routine/annual Pap smear & Mammogram, ladies... no fun, but better to wish you hadn't than to wish you had, in retrospect! Should I mention to the guys, the dreaded Prostrate check? (Count your blessings, gals... we don't have that one , & many of the guys must have Mammograms, too!) Again, it's better to wish you hadn't than to wish you had!

& I know you probably don't feel really "lucky" today, Mel, with a face as sore as yours is, but yet you know that you are, just the same!

Mel glad you had this done sorry that you are hurting and out of Ice Cream (isn't that against the law)wont be long you will be beautiful again making mens hearts do flip flops. Get well soon my dear.
Jimmy

Aw, Jimmy, I've been looking for you all day, just for those kind words! Thank you

And Thank you , Pattys for the re-cap, I do feel lucky!

Mel, What an ordeal for you to have to go through. I hope the swelling is going down a bit and someone went out and got you more ice cream.

Along with ice cream, popsicles and broth, Melcon, things like Slim Fast & Ensure are good nutritional support when you aren't up to taking on solid food...

your naggy-mommy pal,
Merme

Patty S you are so right. A few years ago a mole on my face changed colors almost overnight and tripled in size my wife noticed it and one on my eye lid had them both taken off came back negative but at least we knew and did not risk it no being cancer. Also cannot stress enough to men getting checked at least yearly. I get two Prostrate checks a year due to so many men (about 80%)in my family dieing with Prostrate cancer. They now have a blood test that is just as effective as the other way but it is worth the discomfort to know for sure and catch anything before it gets a hold on you. Also let me say around here just about every Hospital gives a free prostrate exam to every male that will come in they advertize it on TV. So at least here cant use the excuse that it cost too much. Besides how much is your life worth to your family $100. or $200 ?
Jimmy

Well, actually...when I saw the pic of your mouth so swollen..I had flash backs of last Feruary when I had 21 teeth extracted. My whole face was so swollen and bruised. i couldn't eat food for several weeks and HAD to learn how to use a straw.
I hope the sweeling is going down now Mel...and I am really glad you got the hang of the straw thing..

~V~

The swelling has gone done quite a bit, today I got to take the bandage off, it doesn't look so bad, but I do look like tweety bird, upper lip looks like a bird's beak. So my daughter Karen just called to check on me and when I told her I looked like tweety she asked me to say "I tot I taw a puddy tat" and when I said it we both cracked up and I was smiling so hard it hurt and I had to tell her not to call me anymore because she's gonna screw up my face!

I hope this isn't too graphic for squeamish people?? I think if I can stay quiet for a few more days it will heal very nicely! I told my daughter not to call me , we laugh too much!

Melcon, that is looking truly good!

I'm pleased that the doc put so many stitches into such a small area, as that will help it to have a minimal type of scar. Plus the lip gets much use constantly and things need to be secure to heal well.

When do the stitches come out?

Keep resting, my friend. You are doing a good job so far!

Merme

The stitches come out Thursday @ 4 so the plan is to come to your house in the morning and since you are so close to portland I can stay with you until 3:30. The kids' father will have them Thursday. If there is anything you need send me a pm to give me a list that way I could get shopping or errands done beforehand, or we could go out again, your choice!

Yes, I too was pleased with all her tiny stitching, I must ask her on Thursday if she does cross-stitch or some kind of fine needlepoint! It's funny, she had to drag the skin over a bit to cover the spot and I swear I've got a cute dimple in my cheek that wasn't there before!

Looking great, Mel!

Mel, that does look good!
O.K...I'll stop talking about salmon now!

Mel that does look great glad your healing so well . Now what did I tell you about being beautiful again soon? Already getting there. Good work I know better then to tell you not to talk much but at least when you type you don't have to move your lips (unless your like me)so stretching you mouth any wider then to put a piece of cake in it that will be plenty wide for now.
Jimmy

WOW Mel..that looks GREAT! They really did a good job! I am so glad you are healing well...


~V~

Mel that is an awesome job the surgeon did. Dunno if you are already doing it or not but a bit of vitamin E will help with the scarring, not that there will be much from the way it looks. I am so thrilled that it all went so well for you!

mel, looks really good so glad you finally got that taken care of. keep us posted ok?

Hey, Mel, glad you're doing well. The stitches look good, but kinda scary. I hope it doesn't hurt too much. And while you're limited to the straw, that you eat all the ice cream you can!

Mel - that looks terrific. Need to be thinking about hats for next summer's gardening - wide brim, floppy with seasonal decorations. I occasionally tie baloons to mine - it reinforces the idea that I'm nuts....

That's why you fit in around here so well, Bev!!!


~V~

I recieved these "before" pics last week and Afgrey was very nice and speedy fixing them up and sizing them right for me. There are three different kinds of skin cancer; melanoma, squamous cell, and basal cell. Mine is basal cell and the picture of mine is how that kind of cancer typically looks, nothing ominous or darkened or anything. Mine looked flesh-colored, irregular, raised, and waxy or shiny. You should have ANYTHING that looks different or "OFF" CHECKED OUT!!!

Thanks so much Mel, for sharing all this! Your "before" photos don't make it look as remarkable as it sounded, the way you said your Mom & other people were carrying on about "the thing on your face"... but it could have been something really BAD, as malignancies don't have to look ugly to BE ugly!

My Hubby had a small spot of Melanoma removed from the very tip of his nose a few years ago, & it didn't look a lot different than your "thing". Now, if you know to look closely, you can see a shiny flat place right where the tip of his nose used to be! (The Dr. put a "spot" bandaid on it, which he had to wear for a whole week... right before Halloween! He dressed up like a clown/put a RED bandaid on it, when we went to the neighborhood bar, so nobody would look at him funny or ask questions!) He's had several Melanoma spots taken off his back & arms, & must see the Dermatologist every year, as he's prone to this type of skin Cancer... which is a trait that he inherited from his Mom & has also been handed down to our kids.

We'll want to see after-the-"after" pic later on, to see if you still look like there's a "thing on your face"! So far, it looks like they did a pretty nice job sewing you up! Glad you had it taken care of!

mel that is a very good job