Basal Cell Carcinoma - Newly Diagnosed

mwetter1954 said:

Newly diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma
I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma on Oct. 28, 2009. I went to the dermatologist for my roseacea and asked her to look at my "third eye" on my forhead, which had changed somewhat since the last time I saw her. The place was a mole and became raised, like a pimple was under it. She biopsied it and called back with the news. I have an appointment with the MOHS surgeon, who is my former dermatologist and is just doing surgery now. My surgery is set for Dec. 1, with my consult on Nov. 24. I am already a 9 year cancer survivor (endometrial stromal sarcoma) and, still, this news felt like being punched in the stomache.

I know how you feel
I was also hit hard emotionally by this latest diagnosis, and I couldn't figure out why. I had had a melanoma in 2003 which required a wide local excision (no recurrence), and thyroid cancer in 2008, which required a full thyroidectomy....and yet I still was thrown by this most recent diagnosis of basal cell in October. Was it because I wasn't really aware of it? (Let it go a long time, since it didn't look like melanoma, which I knew from my previous experience...) Or maybe it was just the basic thought, I know it is the most mild, but can't a biopsy of mine come back clear just once?

On a brighter note, now that I have recovered with an extremely unnoticeable scar under my eye (helps that I wear glasses), all I can tell you is that for me, the anticipation was much worse than the procedure. The worst part was having a bandaid and then bandage on my face for several weeks, but once the stitches were out, it was smooth sailing. I wish you a similarly positive experience!

RobertFW said:

I had MOHS Sept 21 on my nose, resulting in a hole maybe they size of a marble on the left nostril.

I went in the next day to a reconstruction surgeon and he did phase 1 of a forehead flap.

Phase II was Oct 17. Phase III was Nov 9.

I got my final stitches out this week.

It is amazing how I look - I am very pleased.

A few things I will have to get used to :
- the forehead skin which was used to reconstruct the nostril has no feeling in it, wondering if it ever will or I just must get used to it
- my forehead is rather tight (basically I am wrinkle free)

I also have BCC on my cheek. Will have laser removal on that Dec 13.

your surgery
robert,
are you still happy with your final results?

Hello

Please do not look onlline. It will make you more upset. i had basal cell on my ankle. A friend of mine has surgery on her nose , She healed very very well. Take some time off of work if you can to heal physically and mentally. If you need to talk Im here.