Waiting, worrying, waiting, worrying...

Oh that's great news!  Not great that you had to wait that long but now you can relax a bit more.  I can't think that removal will be a problem - they can do it under local anaesthetic, although I opted for sedation 'cos I'm not very brave!  

Let us know how you get on.  I'm four weeks from surgery and very happy with the results.....and happy that the darn thing is history.  I'm sure you'll be the same soon. Xxx

At least you now know for certain , 

soon be gone 

onwards and upwards 

Lynne x

Thanks to all for the kind responses.  The camaraderie is worth millions!  Will update as things progress.

Just a quick update...  I saw the GP yesterday, who confirmed the BCC diagnosis, had a look at the mended curettage which he performed back in December, and decided that it was small enough for him to remove at the surgery in a minor op.  There's a long waiting list, so it could be some time before I get it done.  In a short conversation (they're always pressed for time), he reassured me that these things, although technically bearing the "cancer" tag, are not a danger, do not spread, and are mainly cosmetic.  However, my historic exposure to the sun has been the cause, and this means that I may be susceptible to more, so to be on the watch for any changes in moles or marks.  I mentioned that those past 10 weeks of waiting were traumatic, to which he appeared surprised.  I still don't think that the psychological impact of not-knowing and wandering imagination, is fully appreciated or supported in general medical circles - at least in my experience.  Anyway, with knowledge of facts has come a level of tranquility, thankfully.  Next update, upon removal, whenever that may be.

Two months shy of one year since I first noticed the bleeding spot on my upper arm, today I had the BCC removed once and for all.  The doc looked at the cauterization he'd done a few months back, and said that it was well healed - that we could leave it and monitor it, with a 50/50 chance of it returning.  Without a moment's hesitation I told him to proceed right-a-way and remove it.  The procedure took only about 20 minutes, and the only thing felt was the initial anaesthetic injection and the stretching during stitching.  It's now nearly 3 hours on, and I still feel nothing, except relief that it's gone.

I have to say that the very worst thing during the past year was the period of uncertainty, when imagination took over from reason.  It ran riot like a loose cannon on a rolling deck.  The anxiety ventured regularly into almost blind panic.  As a result of my experience, I can only advise people in a similar situation to keep pressing for the result of tests, even if it goes against a quiet personal nature to do so.  Keeping busy in an attempt to divert the mind does help, but is not a cure to the worry.  Above all, talk, discuss - whether person-to-person or by means of this medium.  That helps more than anything.

Once again, thanks for all who helped me along this rocky road.

Hi

I'm glad to hear that your BCC has finally been removed and hopefully that'll be the end of it! It's also great to hear how helpful you found this forum. Hopefully you'll be able to share your experiences with new people coming to the group in future.

Be safe in the sun

x