Hi. New to this and never taken part in a forum before. A friend suggested i have look.
Already found out a lot of useful info about recovering from yesterdays surgery. I've had a BCC removed from the tip of my nose with a skin graft taken from my collarbone area. I'm also 4 weeks post operative from a knee replacement. Hadn't expected quite such a large dressing on my nose. And don't really know what to expect when I go back next Monday to have the stitches out. Dermatologist has been brilliant up till now, but don't feel I've been given enough info about the future. Have been feeling very down today. Trying to focus on the fact that the cancer has been removed. I did such a good job of playing it down to all my family "to protect them" that no-one has really taken much notice now I've had it done. Tomorrow will be a better day. Thanks for listening.
It went really well thanks. The surgeon explained all the options and why most weren't suitable in my case. My BCC is irregular and about 1 cm across. She thinks it will be best to use the Mohs procedure which has a higher success rate than the excision removal. I will have to wait a bit longer but she gave me an appointment in August.
I asked why it needed removing at all since it was hardly noticeable and was slow growing. She said it was a slow growing cancer but if left for 10 years it could have spread over most of my nose.
Denise from Linen2664 here just to update you I had my little op/procedure yesterday all went well but a stitches on the end and side of my nose so not a pretty site, just feel a bit groggy an uncomfortable when I put my glasses on to read.  Thought I woul let you know and hope all is going well with you I know you have a wait for the Royal Marsden, so we all have to keep going. Stitches out next Tuesday cant wait.
Hello Quilter18. I have been following links from my initial message and came across yours. I am really sorry to hear that you are feeling down. I had an operation in January and can remember how it felt. I had to walk around with a big patch on my left cheek whilst everyone stared or commented on it. I am undergoing treatment now, which has left me with a big scab on my left cheek and am still having to put up with people commenting or staring at me.
I am sorry to say that this is just part of it, and I constantly feel self-conscious. You will have good days and bad days. Everyone will deal with their story differently but this is what has helped me. Apart from going to work, I only see and speak to those people who know and love me. I've kinda gone into a bit of a bubble, but it is helping me. But I am enjoying spending more time at home, not constantly charging around all the time, feeling burnt out! I am also trying to be as healthy as I can be, eating well and going to yoga (although that might be a bit harder after your recent knee operation).
Maybe you could think about being a bit more honest with your friends and family and let them see your more vulnerable side so that you are offered the love and support which you might need at the moment.
Thanks for your message. I'd say I'll be having the radiotherapy around the same time, maybe a little sooner and maybe round the end of July. Seems such a long wait really, doesn't it, but nothing to be done.
Keep in touch and let me know when you hear about your appointment and I'll do the same.
That's great to have had your operation and maybe not as bad as you had feared. Let me know how it's all coming along and also what it looks like when the stitches come out next week. I actually think that the waiting and anticipation of the whole thing is worse than the actual procedure. My wait seems to be so long that I've started to put it all out of my mind, but I know that it'll all come rushing back when I get the letter from the hospital with the appointment!
That's exactly right! Now, two months after my biopsy the mark on my nose is very, very tiny and like you I find it hard to believe that it's spread and infiltrated and is probably much, much bigger underneath. Such a strange thing.
thank you for your kind words, just read mine to you and noticed typos sorry, trying to type too fast. I will keep you posted. I agree all the waiting drives you mad, and its hard to try and concentrate on things. When you say yours has spread, underneath, when you first noticed yours on the surface did it appear to disappear a little?? As this is what has happened to mine, just wondered if it seemed to disappear but really it has spread under the surface, just wondered. My inquisistive mind !!!   Have you been told the radiotherapy will get rid of it?? I do wish you well and likewise let me know when your date is.  Have you got someone to go with you etc.,
It always seemed small and I was absolutely shocked to be told that it was an infiltrative BCC and not some awful, silly mistake. I'm over that now and waiting for the oncology appointment in June I'd say. I suppose it must have just spread underneath, but have no idea how far and how much. The plastic surgeon said my nose would be very changed by surgery which is why he said radiotherapy, so fingers crossed for that. I'm finding myself virtually unable to go out in the sun these days and am mentally picturing other BCCs sprouting all the time. Paranoia I feel.
Keep in touch Denise - good to hear how it's all going and proceeding.
Thanks for email interesting to read what has happened to you and how indeed these little cells can spread underneath. I am sure the Radiotherapy will do the trick and wish you all the very best and hope your appointment comes through quickly for you, it is the waiting that is the killer and the mind goes off drifting.  I am like you the Sun I pray for clouds without the rain but I love my gardening just off out there now to sort my dhalias out etc., but have Factor 50 on and my hat. We just have to try and keep positive but its hard to be all the time.  Take care of yourself and keep me posted re appointment
I have learned a lot about sun protection in the 2 weeks since I had my SCC removed. I discovered this nonprofit sun cream developed by an NHS skin cancer specialist. I have been using it and it seems very pleasant to use. You might all like to read about it, and it's very inexpensive to try.
