Face Skin Cancer...or not?

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Hello

I am in for surgery this week after what seems forever.  It's not, and I know there are others with bigger issues.

I woke from a Covid haze in April and found a small pimple with a dark centre just in front of my ear.  It doubled in size each week.  I sent photos to GP, (they are still not seeing patients in person).  

The first GP prescribed a fungicide cream.  I applied for ten days as instructed.  I think I was just moisturising it as it continued to grow.

So unpleasant and useless was this thing,  I nicknamed it 'Stiltskin'

Keen to get a human to look at my new fixture in real time, I trotted off to my friendly Pharmacist who looked on in horror and said 'Go back to GP with all haste.'  

I walked up to the GP Receptionist and pulled back my hair to show her and she physically re-coiled.  As instructed, I uploaded 'Stiltskin's Photobook' to the practice website.

Two days later, GP phoned to tell me I had what appeared to be a Basal Cell Carcinoma and had been referred and put onto the two week cancer care pathway.

Four weeks later, I was seen by a Dermatology Consultant who said it was a Squamous Cell Carcinoma and said he was passing me onto a Maxillo Facial Consultant because of the location of the beastie.  There is a lymph gland (pre-auricular) and the Parotid Gland underneath.  For comfort, he told me I would be having a one-sided face-lift.


And then nothing.  I chased for information via the Consulatant's secretary and the Patient Advice and Liaison Service

All this time, I continued working in a customer facing environment as a civil servant.  That has been my biggest stressor.  I have very inexperienced line management and, clearly, being exposed to guidance on equality, diversity, and well-being, does not necessarily mean it is a lived experience.  And do not get me started on mental health first aiders!

'Stiltskin' continued to change.     I accidentally knocked it and the middle of the growth fell out so a dressing was necessary and all day, every day people were asking what was wrong with my face. Constantly explaining was exhausting.    I took time off work due to anxiety issues.

To expedite an end, I decided to make enquiries privately and saw a Consultant at the end of June, thinking that at least the thing would be dealt with quickly and I could put it all on the credit card.  This Consultant thought it could be a Seborrheic keratoses, or a Squamous cell carcinoma, or a Basal cell carcinoma.  She had no space in her diary for the following week but would get her Secretary to contact me. Nothing from her.  Two weeks later an appointment arrived from the NHS.  

This Thursday is the day.  

'Stiltskin' has degraded and dropped off on the surface but there is still an area that is raised and scaly.  There is a new patch above the site.  I have Tinnitus in that ear but not sure if that is an after-gift from Covid rather than this growth.

From start to that date is nearly 16 weeks.  

I do not write this as a moan but as an account of how I have felt and feel.

The differing diagnoses, the pressures from line management, the unrealistic and unproven time-frames have all added to my current state that sees me medicated on Sertraline.

I am over 60.  I did not grow up in the age of social media.  I am of the 'don't discuss your dirty laundry in public' and 'keep calm and carry on' brigade.  I work in a 'talking therapy' environment.   Social mores insist I share constantly to friends, family, customers, line management etc.  I am not acculturated to do that but I can write to people I have never met who may understand my ramblings.

My age in the workplace has worked against me during this period.

To all who ready this, I wish you health, peace and, most importantly to me, quiet. xxx

  • Good afternoon Simpleabundance. I have had two basal cell skin cancers removed privately. One by skin flap surgery near nostril and the other by skin graft near my eye.  I did eventually get a face to face with a gp after being told to go to pharmacy first (who thought it was nbothing to worry about at all !!!). When I eventually saw gp he was unsure so gave me fungal cream, phoned me whilst I was on holiday for update and said he would see me on my return.  He then set wheels in motion for me to see dermatologist, but being in Bupa I had already found who I wanted to see so set my own wheels in motion.  Dermatologist told me immediately basal cell cancers from his dermascope examination, but because of where they were referred me immediately to a plastic surgeon.  Had first operation January and second one in March.  I see him tomorrow for final follow up.  Can't say the journey has been easy but I am 73 and retired so could stay at home and recuperate.  Wouldn't have liked to be on "show" with dressings etc.  Please keep in touch and let us know how your journey goes.  Good luck for Thursday.  You will find people on this site are amazing and we look after one another through thick and thin.x

  • Hello, Harlan.  Thanks so much for reaching out.  I have, at times, doubted my sanity but have been lucky enough to have amazing support from a brilliant young employee assistance programme counsellor. I work in a job centre and, as you can imagine, it is fairly relentless and exposing.  I have felt vulnerable for weeks.

    Hopefully, Thursday will change things, and, whichever way it goes, I just need to know.  I am sure you can relate to that. I will certainly update on progress.  xxx

  • Yes I can certainly relate. People do not realise what a BIG thing these skin cancers are. They think couple of stiches and gone forever. Not quite like that.  Here for you to offload to any time you feel low and my very best wishes for Thursday xx

  • Hi

    I too have had a basal cell removed from my nose which is healing very slowly by secondary intention.

    I have a couple of small areas that the surgeon is keeping an eye on and will biopsy at some point.

    I was referred to a head and neck surgeon who has been wonderful and gave me choices of treatment.

    Hope all goes well Thursday  it becomes a bit easier when you've been given the facts and understand how the treatment is going to proceed

  • Hi Harlyn 

    Hope all goes well tomorrow. Its not easy is it?

    I seem to go to pieces as soon as I walk into the hospital 

  • Thanks puckettyboo. No not easy. I am not too bad now as Consultant is so kind and reassuring, but would go to  pieces if he said I needed more surgery.  A friend has had a mole on her leg that has suddenly changed colour and got bigger. What a good gp she has he took photos sent them to dermatologist at local hospital, she had phone call from them within 4 days, saw them the next day and scheduled for surgery within 2 weeks.  They haven't told her what it is but needs removing quickly and they are leaving the wound open as where it is they can't stitch it, and will have to have it dressed.  Hope you are doing ok, keep in touch. As I said to SimpleAbundance we are here for one another as we understand what we are going through, others dontxx

  • I hope your friend gets on well. It's good that they're not keeping her waiting too long.

    It sounds like her wound will be healing by secondary intention too.

    Will she be joining this group?

    I'm doing ok thanks. It's slowly healing but I have a lovely surgeon.

    Will definitely keep in touch. It's so important to be there for whoever comes on this group. Like you say so many people just don't understand but those of us on here really do understand and it makes such a difference.

    Please let us know how you get on tomorrow 

  • Will do and thank you.  She may join the group but think at the moment she is a bit shell shocked as it is all happening so quickly xx

  • Please give her my best wishes and hope she gets answers very soon. As you know it is a shock and it takes time to process.

    It's good she has you as a friend as you'll understand 

    • Hi Puckettyboo Just back from Hospital. My Consultant has discharged me.  He is happy with how both my operations are healing and thinks they will get even better in time.  I did ask if I could see him at least once a year and he said he doesn't think there is a need and probably Bupa wouldn't cover it as he said he has done his job and cured me of 2 nasty basel cell cancers.  I told him the wind affects it and he said this is normal as the nerves and blood vessels haven't got used to be being in a different place but it won't do any detrimental damage.  He said I can do anything anyone else does now but be very careful applying lots of suncream and topping it up regularly.  He said if I am worried or any more appear!!! to ring his Secretary and he will see me at the Nuffield. Just having a glass of wine to celebrate.  Hope you get the all clear soon too.  Thank you for your support and I will keep in touch as will be able to help others along their journey xx
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