31airborne
Well-known member
I make it a point to see a dermatologist regularly, usually every year. I kinda backslid on this routine the past 3 years. I didn't have anything unusual or out of place that I could see or feel. That is, until this past summer. I had this little bump pop up on the end of my nose. I noticed it as I was tying a knot during a fishing trip. At first I thought it was a stray booger or a little piece of skin that had kicked up. After picking at it for a few seconds I realized it was a new growth. When I got home I looked more closely. It was a distinctly different color than the surrounding skin and after picking at it, it had become a little sensitive to touch. That was enough to prompt me to make an appointment w/ the derm.
I had to wait a few weeks to get in but once there, the doc scooped out the new spot and sent it in for biopsy. Four days later I got the call - basal cell cancer. They set me up w/ an appointment for a procedure to go in and clear out the site (check this out: www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/mohs-surgery). After spending a number of hours looking at videos and reading descriptions of this procedure on line prior to my appointment, I braced myself for a day-long ordeal of slicing and dicing. It took only a few mins to scoop out the first piece. I hadn't been in the waiting room 30 mins when the nurse called me back. They got it all on the first slice. I had a God moment at that time. It was His presence and a huge sense of relief that overwhelmed me. I gathered my wits after a couple mins, collected up my stuff, and left. The closure procedure is later this morning (if it's even needed). Ol' Airborne got lucky.
To be clear, this was never a life-threatening situation. Basal cell cancer is easy to treat and absolutely curable. But hearing the words, "you have cancer," is unnerving. It also caused me to think about whether there are other places I should have looked at. I have a follow-up appointment in FEB for a total body scan. I share all of this to hopefully trigger y'all to do the same. If it's been a while, go see your derm. If you've never seen a dermatologist, find one near you and go see him/her. Make it a practice to check yourself out regularly. Anything that changes shape, size, or color is suspect. Get it checked out. The entire backside of your body is nearly impossible for you to see, even w/ mirrors. Let the professional do it for you. Better to be sure than assume everything is OK.
The damage that led to my episode happened decades ago, long before sun screen, buffs, wide-brimmed hats, and any appreciation for the damage the sun can do to our skin. For us older doods, we are the ones who are at greatest risk for such things. All the more reason to make a regular trip to a derm. For you younger lads and lasses, heed the warnings. Yeah, that tan looks really great but is it worth it in the long run? There are tons of SPF-rated clothing and other sun protection options out there. Use them!
best,
B
I had to wait a few weeks to get in but once there, the doc scooped out the new spot and sent it in for biopsy. Four days later I got the call - basal cell cancer. They set me up w/ an appointment for a procedure to go in and clear out the site (check this out: www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/mohs-surgery). After spending a number of hours looking at videos and reading descriptions of this procedure on line prior to my appointment, I braced myself for a day-long ordeal of slicing and dicing. It took only a few mins to scoop out the first piece. I hadn't been in the waiting room 30 mins when the nurse called me back. They got it all on the first slice. I had a God moment at that time. It was His presence and a huge sense of relief that overwhelmed me. I gathered my wits after a couple mins, collected up my stuff, and left. The closure procedure is later this morning (if it's even needed). Ol' Airborne got lucky.
To be clear, this was never a life-threatening situation. Basal cell cancer is easy to treat and absolutely curable. But hearing the words, "you have cancer," is unnerving. It also caused me to think about whether there are other places I should have looked at. I have a follow-up appointment in FEB for a total body scan. I share all of this to hopefully trigger y'all to do the same. If it's been a while, go see your derm. If you've never seen a dermatologist, find one near you and go see him/her. Make it a practice to check yourself out regularly. Anything that changes shape, size, or color is suspect. Get it checked out. The entire backside of your body is nearly impossible for you to see, even w/ mirrors. Let the professional do it for you. Better to be sure than assume everything is OK.
The damage that led to my episode happened decades ago, long before sun screen, buffs, wide-brimmed hats, and any appreciation for the damage the sun can do to our skin. For us older doods, we are the ones who are at greatest risk for such things. All the more reason to make a regular trip to a derm. For you younger lads and lasses, heed the warnings. Yeah, that tan looks really great but is it worth it in the long run? There are tons of SPF-rated clothing and other sun protection options out there. Use them!
best,
B
