Different Kinds of Skin Cancer on Face All at Once

Oh Mandy123, it is so hard to have to navigate the system and all of it's problems as well as to have to deal with the anxiety.  Yes, peace of mind is what we pray for and I'm certain that you will be up to getting that courage you need so much right now.  I had an appointment today with my Mohs surgeon to see how my BCC surgery was healing and I needed to ask him about another lesion near the corner of my eye.  I became terrified 2 days ago about the appointment; upset stomach, no appetite, shaking,  I asked my GP if I could have something for sleep for last night and that helped a great deal.  Maybe that is an option for you as well or perhaps some short term anti-anxiety meds like valium.  Once I was at the surgeon's office today, things seemed a bit better.  I really think waiting is the hardest part, so I'm praying that you feel so much better come Sunday.  You can do this because there really is no other choice for us that makes any sense at all.  Stay Strong and know that you are not alone in this boat. And there are so many others on this site that are here to help with advice and encouragement.

Hi grateful gal.

The waiting is definitely very difficult. I get so stressed out the first thing I do when I'm at the surgeons appointment is usually burst into tears. It's so embarrassing. I usually calm down after we've spoken.

I have a small lesion near my eye that he's monitoring. Do far it hasn't changed at all in 18 months but I think he'll biopsy it when I next see him, which I know will be another drama on my part.

I think we're paying the price for no sun protection in our childhood and that's when the damage was done.

The whole thing. Checking and more checking. The constant stress of it all. The worry of going out in the sun is do exhausting. I just wish there was a switch that could be turned off.

I totally agree - I had an appointment with a consultant dermatologist 2 weeks ago and burst into tears within minutes of being in her office and tbh was almost crying in reception. She did say that lots of people especially women feel the same.

You are being very brave and actually doing everything you can do to manage your skin. Be proud that you are not burying your head in the sand. You are in the best place.

I agree …the whole sun thing stresses me out too. What to wear, time of day and will there be shade? It’s easier just to stay home ! I have been asked to go out to lunch at a lovely seafood restaurant this week and I am already stressing about it and praying for rain lol 

Sadly Puckettyboo, there is no off switch.  In fact, even after being reassured that the recent discovery of a spot near my eye is not a worry, I find it difficult to calm down about it all.  There has been a lot in the last 2 months with the BCC and the possible Lentigo Maligna which turned out to be only a Solar Lentigo.  Still, the worry for 4 weeks to get the biopsy results for that and every time the phone would ring I would dread answering.  I still need to return to my new Dermatologist this week for a body scan.  Fingers crossed that all will be well.

I also had a major clean up at home during all of this when a water heater under my sink burst and sent styrofoam insulation soot throughout the entire place.  Maybe it is a good distraction, all the cleaning.  But It has worn me out and I think made all of the worry worse in some way.  I'm just running out of reserves.

If you have had the lesion near your eye for 18 months with no change, your Dermatologist may decide to just keep monitoring it.  Sometimes, I think it's better to know what something is rather than monitoring, but I guess I'm doing that as well for the spot near my eye as you have been.  Doctors don't really like to take unnecessary biopsies, I've found, especially on the face.  I'm certain that you will do well next time you see him.  We really need to get used to these visits, but it's easier said than done, isn't it?

Stay Strong  and Sending Hugs XX

Hi grateful gal

Hugs to you too.  It's so reassuring to be able to speak to others on this site knowing we all feel the same. Not that we want anyone to be going through the same of course.

You've been through such a lot and it's bound to leave you feeling emotional but you've done so well.

It's good to keep in touch. We all get strength from each other.

I finally got to my new Dermatologist for that body scan and I pointed out 2 little lesions I was concerned about.  The first was a new 3mm mole and the other was 3mm mole I have had for years which had not changed, but had a small tan extension or maybe an entirely different lesion beside it.  She wanted to Photograph them and see me again in 6 months.  She wasn't concerned, but I was and I asked her if she could please remove them.  She did so because , in her words, she "didn't want me obsessing about them".  I know that they were small, but one was new and one was maybe changed, and I thought you those were the ones to watch out for. 

Anyway, once again I'm glad I don't have to "obsess" about them, but once again I must wait for the biopsy results and I'm a nervous wreck.  I'm also a little worried that she isn't quite as diligent as my previous Dermatologist.  My husband says I should be comforted by the fact that with her experience she wasn't impressed.   Coupled with this was that when I arrived at the office they told me that somehow my appointment had been cancelled!   It certainly wasn't by me!  They squeezed me in and I know that made the appointment hurried.

So I hope these will be the last biopsies for a while, (I've had 5 others since the BCC was diagnosed), and I'm praying that all will go well.  Thanks so very much for all the support.  It's a comfort to talk to others who share this experience and understand the emotional toll we have with it all.

Stay Strong.  XXX

1. Hi, hope you don't mind me joining the conversation. I had a small melanoma removed 2 years ago successfully and had a bcc removed from my back. I am due to have another bcc removed ftom my chest in the next month. I am really struggling with anxiety re my skin and having to check it constany causes me huge worry. Every little bump I panic over. This whole skin cancer thing rules my life. I really thought after the 0.3 melanoma that would be it. How wrong I was. 
2. It would be lovely to chat. 

Hi Boo123 and welcome to the conversation.  I agree that It is so very hard dealing with the anxiety that comes with skin cancer, especially when it seems to occur over and over again.  The melanoma I had many years ago developed from a mole that I had for 10 years and was dismissed by a dermatologist because it looked so "normal".  And it did look normal in color and size and looked nothing like any of the photos I've ever seen of melanomas.  The same thing happened again with a mole on my arm that I had for 7 years that 2 dermatologists said was nothing to be concerned about.  It looked normal, but  I had a "funny feeling" about it and asked for a biopsy.  It was a melanoma in situ.  So,of course, I panic because I'm covered with skin lesions that look normal, but may not be.  So, I too check obsessively.  The only good thing is that now my dermatologist says if I don't like something I see on my skin, off it goes. 

I was pretty sure the lesion this past July near my eye was a bcc and the moh's surgery was successful.  I had 7 other spots biopsied since then, all of which I pointed out to my doc.  I was afraid to show them to her, but looking at them day after day and checking them constantly was driving me crazy.  Not knowing is the hardest part.  One of my 7 she thought might be a Lentigo Maligna (melanoma in situ) under my eye.  I had to wait 4 weeks for the results and I lost 12 pounds from sheer nervousness.  Happily, it was not a melanoma and the other lesions, some of which looked like bccs, turned out to be Grover's disease which we are trying now to treat.  Anyhow, I'm determined to keep on top of all of these now.  I'm trying to remember how my body and mind are impacted by my anxiety and understand that even if I don't go in to have a spot checked out, it is still there.  I really have no choice but to be proactive despite my fear.  Easy to say but hard to do.

I know you are probably overwhelmed because of the new lesions you are having removed   My doctor said that I might expect more bccs at this time since they often occur within a "window of time", the damage being done in a certain time period years ago.  I guess that means being more vigilant now. So it's probably not unusual that you have another bcc now on your chest.  It's a small comfort, but it could mean that once this "window" passes, we can hopefully have fewer or even no lesions pop up and maybe we can relax a little.  I'm hoping that you do well with your surgery and I know that you will be happy when that bcc is gone.  I think that you are  brave to take charge of your health.  Courage doesn't mean that you are not afraid.  It means that you are facing your fears and dealing with them.  Please let me know how you are getting on.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. It really helped me feel not so alone. 

I feel the pressure to be checking my skin is overwhelming as I  keep telling myself if you don't and something is melanoma the outcome could be drastic if left. My melanoma lesion was seen by 2 gps and was not flagged as a problem. Dermatology didn't think it was anything to worry about either. I am covered in moles and small bumps so it drives me to distraction deciding if something needs looking at. It didn't help when I had my last doc app and was made to feel a nuisance as had had several apps to get bumps checked. I was talked down to and told only to see them if something changes. She did send off a photo to Dermatology saying she didn't think it was a problem and low and behold I got a tel call to say it was a bcc.i am expecting to have it removed in Jan. I have since found 2 tiny bumps on my leg so will photograph and send to Dermatology. 

I just want all this to stop and to have some semblance of a normal life, a life that does not include checking obsessively.

Once I have the bcc removed in January I will make an app with a private dermatologist once a year just to get a thorough check. When I mentioned this at the docs I was told it would be a total waste of money and to just wait until something changes! I live alone so can't check my back easily so need help..

Thank you for your understanding. 

Hi I’m so sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time - I completely understand your anxiety. To save me writing it all - have a look at my profile. I have been suffering from skin cancer anxiety too and have private counselling which helps and I also have 6 month skin checks with a private consultant dermatologist. I also have bought into private health care. I know I am very fortunate to be able to afford this but I have worked hard all of my life and use my savings to fund this. The skin checks give me reassurance a bit like a safety net and the health insurance gives me the option of an earlier appointment if needed. Also having a monthly counselling session really helps too. I do check myself too but I am far more calm having put these control measures in place. My GP thought the skin checks were a good idea and said he would do the same in my situation. I did not mean to rattle on about myself but wanted to explain what had helped me so maybe it would help you too. Please let me know how you are getting on and I’m always here to chat xx