I have a large 8 x 5cm advanced infiltrative BCC on my scalp, it was previously diagnosed as psoriasis due to its atypical appearance. Unfortunately it now looks horrendous, wont heal, bleeds and constantly itches. I have also lost a large amount of hair due to it being particularly destructive.
I am due for MOHS the beginning of September followed by a reconstruction (skin & bone grafts) under general anaesthetic by a plastic surgeon 2 days later.
My dermatologist has said that what I can see is the tip of the iceberg and it will be significantly larger underneath, due to all this I am going to permanently loose my hair down that side (approx half of my scalp). My plastic surgeon said that a year down the line he can put expanders under the other side of my scalp and then harvest the excess scalp to place over the grafts...failing this I am left with either wigs or hairpieces but I cant even think that far ahead at the moment,
I am 48 and I am petrified, my dad has had several BCC's removed and grafted as well as a melanoma but all of these were relatively small.
Has anyone had any experience of this type/size of legion and the reconstruction after?
I'd appreciate any feedback as the building anxiety of the inpending surgery dates is playing absolute havoc with my mental health. I literally cannot envisage what i'm going to look like afterwards.
Sorry to hear about what you are going through and also that I have no direct experience to share with you since my wife's cancer is very different.
One thing that might help you some is a charity look good feel better, I have certainly seen them in town before as well as at our local Maggies centre.
<<hugs>>
Steve
