Ugh, some advice please - Cancer: Skin Message Board

chigs489 · 04-06-2004, 09:05 AM

Just got back from the dermatologist. Not only is there a spot on my face that is suspicious, but there is also a spot on my shoulder.

I'm falling apart!

Has anyone else here gotten 2 or more basal cells at once?

I also learned that only perscription sun block works. The OTC stuff is "sun screen", it doesn't do a damn thing. Fortunately, they sold some there, so I picked it up.

Pigeons · 04-06-2004, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiggins1066

I also learned that only perscription sun block works. The OTC stuff is "sun screen", it doesn't do a damn thing. Fortunately, they sold some there, so I picked it up.

That sounds dubious. I've never heard that before...and I find it convenient that your derm sold some "real" sunblock.

Did you have a biopsy?

chigs489 · 04-06-2004, 02:54 PM

Not yet. He wants to wait 3 weeks. Until then, he froze the spots using liquid nitrogen, I assume to see if they will vanish (I doubt it).

This skin cancer thing has me really worked up!

motherchuck · 04-06-2004, 03:06 PM

Chiggins-I feel the same. I currently have 3-4 suspicious spots. I will have them biopsied at the end of the month. I am pretty sure they are all basal cells. I have been watching them (GROW) for 3 mos as my dr suggested! Anyway, I am freaked out too. I am only 32 and fear what will be left of me at 60. I have had 2 Mohs surgeries on my face as well as a mole removal. Not sure my face can take anymore of this. The rest of my basal cells have been on my shoulders. Anywhere but the face seems easy to deal with. My newest fear is a spot on my nose-rigth on the tip!! Yes, that will be lovely. I am not sure how to deal with this either. Somedays I am fine and other days I feel like this cancer is eating my skin away.

chigs489 · 04-06-2004, 03:25 PM

thanks for the reply

What do your spots look like? Mine looked pretty innocuous, basically red spots, slighly raised, irregular border. The one on my face was a little shiny. Interestingly enough, neither spot seemed to grow, they just showed up one day (or I didn't notice them until they became large enough). The one on my shoulder actually changed from dark red to a flesh color and seemed to shrink a little.

I was on prednisone recently (twice) and I can't help but think there is some kind of relationship! Why all of a sudden, am I having all these skin problems?