Saturday, November 07, 2009

Derm test results

The dermatologist's office called yesterday with the results, and, sure enough, I have a basal cell carcinoma. I'll get it removed Monday morning, then go to work. I hope there is something better to do that just put vaseline on the wound, because that is what he is having me do for the wound from the biopsy, and, man, I am getting sick of my shirt sticking to the oozy scab.

I'm not worried about the surgery itself. It should be fast and hopefully completely remove the offending skin. I've had a basal cell carcinoma in the same spot before, but it was treated with topical chemicals rather than just getting rid of the damned thing.

2 comments:

FridaWrites said...

I really hope that goes okay--that's not something I know much about, but it worries me. I guess recurrences are something you need to watch for?

yanub said...

Yes, since I've already had basal cell carcinomas before, I at least know that I need to take any strange spot seriously. I've had three removed from my face, one of which was next to an earlier spot, and this is the same spot on my back. My dad, my grandparents except for mom's mom, two sisters, and my brother have all had them. No one has had a melanoma, and for that, I am very grateful. I get other growths, too, always on the same eyelid, which are apparently not cancerous but have to be removed. I have no idea what they are or why they recur.

Thanks for your concern. So far, the spot seems to be healing well even though turns out that the vaseline thing is the only thing to do. It's supposed to be vaseline + bandage, but that is a funny trick to do on one's back. I can put a bandage there with ease, but I can't aim it very well, so it gets greasy and won't stay. And it is damned hard to sleep with a big sore on one's back!