Bcc removal tomorrow

Hi Damian Have been on this nourney since December last year. Just been discharged from my Consultant today. Had 2 bcc's removed one from near my nostril with a skin flap and another from top of nose near my eye with a skin graft.  They are the lowest grade of skin cancer but nevertheless a worry. Do you know how your surgeon is going to deal with them, skinflap or graft.  Don't be worried how it looks at first can be scary but believe me I looked horrendous and now 6 months down the line people that don't know say they wouldn't have known.  A lot of us on this site have said our gp's are not the best at diagnosing these skin cancers.,  My gp was quite on the ball he gave me fungal cream for 2 weeks then started the hospital path as he was sure it was something more sinister.  Good Luck please keep in touch with us. This group has been my life line these past 6 months, couldn't have got through it without them xx

Hi harlyn

Thank you for your response. And glad to hear your good news. my main problem is my sensible brain knows everything will be ok etc . But the moment my brain isn’t busy it goes back to the worrying etc. not sure what prices he is using will find out tomorrow 

regards

damian

Hi Damian, similar situation here

I was diagnosed yesterday with BCC during an appointment with a consultant on a totally unrelated matter. I just asked her to have a quick look at a patch on my neck that had been bothering me for about 8 months (GP said it was eczema and gave me steroid cream which did nothing).  The consultant left the room and came back with the "big boss" who had a look and told me it was a BCC.  They said they would send me an appointment to come in and have it cut out. Anyway I was quite blasé about it, even playing it down to my family when I came home.

I've woken at stupid o'clock this morning and my mind is in overdrive, ive got palpitations and feel sick, i can't stop reading about it - all the information I've read should put my mind at rest (logically) but all I can think is l have cancer, I'm starting to think I must be a bit of a drama queen, I know it's very common and I'm not going to die or hopefully need further treatment so why the hell am I reacting like this, I feel quite selfish feeling like this as it's a "minor" thing.

Anyway hope the operation went well.

Hi Howiesmam We all feel or felt like you are feeling it is natural as we have a skin cancer no matter how trivail to some people that seems, to us it isn't trivial.  I have had 2 removed over the last 6 months one by skin flap surgery the other by ski n graft.  They are healing well now and my Consultant has discharged me, but I am still worrying, won't go out in the sun and checking my skin every day.  What you are feel is natural. This site is brillianbt we are all here for another another.  Please keep us advised on your progress and we are here for you through your journey.  These things aren't minor they  are a damn nuisance. Good luck and best wishes 

Hi Howiesmam .. it’s now been three weeks since I had the procedure . I have a scar on my shoulder which looks better that the pics I’ve seen on American sites !!! . The most painful part of the op (local anesthetic) was when they removed the “drapes” (the sheet the put round the operating area) which pulled out a few hairs lol .

it has a hex it has itched but it is healing well and I feel so much better about it.

the margins (extra healthy skin removed surrounding the bcc.) where tested and are clear so the entire bcc was succesfully removed .

it’s normal to be scared. Worried . That word CANCER is such a horrible word . But it has been diagnosed and is being treated . Just make sure you talk about how you deal don’t bottle it up . Good luck

Oops a hex meant to read healthy

Hi howiesmam

You're not being a drama queen at all. What you are feeling is perfectly normal. And to us who have to deal with these things it's definitely not minor.

I've recently had a basal cell removed from my nose and I have to admit I  was a wreak.

I too read e everything there is to read on Google so logic should have calmed me down but it didn't.

My consultant was lovely and talked me through the whole thing. I have a scar on my nose but it's healing.

My experience has been that the average GP cannot diagnose skin cancers so always go with how you feel and ask for a dermatology assessment. I was told mine was nothing to worry about even though it had been there almost three years.

This group has been a lifeline so feel free to come on and ask us anything. What might feel trivial to you won't to us because we're all going through the same 

Hi Damian and Puckettyboo

Hope you are both well.

Thank you both for your replies, it has set my mind at rest a bit.  As I went to see the consultant about something totally unrelated then I wasn't prepared for it, it was just something I was going to mention if I remembered so it has taken me completely by surprise.

I can't help wondering how deep it is (which I'm obviously not going to found out until the day of the procedure), I'm also totally paranoid about every lump/bump or mole on my body now - and whether I'm now susceptible to other types of cancer - I seem to wake up with a different question every day . I know I will start to feel better about it once I get my head round it and receive the letter for my appointment.

My husband has been really supportive - he's even bought me chocolates but I do suspect that he fancied some chocolate himself and he's been good letting me go on about it while trying to keep my spirits up (this is amazing for someone who told me to walk off a badly broken foot - oh how we joke about that now ).  So mentally I'm still a bit in shock but I'm getting there thanks to your support and that of my husband 

Hi again Howiesmam  Don't ever think you are being a drama queen.  As I said before I was discharged 3 weeks ago by my Consultant and you would have thought I should have been so happy.  I wasn't as I felt so alone without his support being there.  Your mind goes into over drive and like you I am examining every little lump, bump, mole etc.  All these feelings are normal when you have had a cancer diagnose albeit minor compared with other cancers.  This group has been my life line moan as much as you want we will all listen and help you if we can.  My hubby this group and some of my friends got me through the dark days. Have you any idea what the waiting times are like to have it done where you live.  Before I had my operations I was up in the middle of the night having cuppas and crying it is all natural so never think it isn't.  We are here for you. keep in touch and good luck xx

Hi howiesmam

I can only echo everything that Harlyn has said.

I'm paranoid about every lump and bump and blemish I get. The plus side of that is that anything suspect would be picked up quickly I suppose.

Any questions you have feel free to ask on here or write them down and ask your consultant. It's best you ask than worry.

I don't know about being at risk of other types of cancers but I've been told I'm at more risk of getting basal cell cancers now.

It's normal to be in shock and to worry. To those of us that have these skin cancers they're certainly not trivial and I'm sure you'll find this group invaluable.

Your husband obviously understands the importance of chocolate !!!