Just Diagnosed with Invasive Squamous Carcenoma

TPE_54
TPE_54 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Skin Cancer #1
Hi,
This is my first post. I was just diagnosed with invasive squamous carcenoma. From what I have read, it is typical in the elderly, and generally associated with too much exposure to sunlight.
The difference in my case is it is located in an area never exoposed to the sun - next to my anus. I know, TMI... sorry. At any rate, my primary care Dr. diagnosed it as a hemorrohoid, and dismissed it. That was two years ago. After not going away, I finally insisted on seeing a surgeon to discuss how to treat. He took one look at it and said "Has anyone spoken with you about this abnormal growth?" It's been all down hill from there. He biopsied and confirmed his initial diagnosis.
Since then, I've begun the gaunlet of gathering the information needed to develop a plan of action. I had a chest x-ray yesterday, and I'm scheduled for an MRI on Monday.

Obviously, I'm very concerned about how long this growth has existed, and the possibility of it spreading. I've also been scaring the heck out of myself on the Internet...

Anyone with a similar experience? Any words of encouragement? I really don't need to hear scary stuff right now - my wife and I are already plenty scared. The waiting is almost too much to bear...

Tim

Comments

  • Dobermom
    Dobermom Member Posts: 40
    #2
    Information Gathering
    Tim,

    I understand your frustration over the seemingly slow pace! Just when you want everything and everyone to move, move, move it seems they move at their slowest! I just went through the same thing. I've tried to console myself by telling myself and my family that this is the information gathering stage for the doctors. They're running all the tests they need in order to make as complete a diagnosis as they need in order to make the best treatment plan possible for your case. Everyone's case is individual and they need to know everything they can about you in order to make the best possible decisions. Believe me, once they have all their ducks in a row, everything moves fast and you might wish they'd slow down so you can breathe and take in everything they're throwing at you!

    In the meantime, you can educate yourself about your disease. BUT, don't let the stats and what you read on the internet scare you too much! You don't yet know the nitty-gritty details of your cancer, so why worry too much yet? Education is good - it is helpful so you know what the doctor is talking about when next you see him. Terrifying yourself needlessly is counterproductive!

    Chris

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