Skin Cancer Confirmed
Biopsy results are in. Dr. Mannino called me at work around 4:30.
Both the thing below my left eye and the thing on my right back are different kinds of cancer.
The one on my back is a surface melanoma. This has the potential of exporting cancer to other parts of my body, although because it is not deep (in situ is the technical term) the likelihood of spreading is low. I will be scheduled for the 2 1/2 inch incision to-morrow and I hope it can get done soon. I will likely have a good scar there with not much to be done about it.
The one below my eye is, as the doctor predicted, a basal cell cancer which does not spread. I will have Mohs surgery for that which will be less invasive. Dr. M. says if the surgeons feel it is needed the surgery will be followed by plastic surgery to make sure the wound doesn't "pull down" my eye.
Overall this is worse than I expected, but at least manageable. Would have liked to have known and dealt with this sooner because both skin situations have been there for a while. However, there is a good chance the melanoma won't be the forerunner of something worse. There still is a chance others may appear so Dr. M. and I are going to see each other frequently over at least the next year (like every two months) so he can check my skin.
The interesting thing about the melanoma: I don't remember the last time I went outside with my shirt off. Dr. M. says it could have been something that happened decades ago...a sunburn from when I did have my shirt off. If that one happened, others will likely follow.
Financially the last part of the year was tough and we just caught up. I was hoping for a reprieve but I guess not.
Both the thing below my left eye and the thing on my right back are different kinds of cancer.
The one on my back is a surface melanoma. This has the potential of exporting cancer to other parts of my body, although because it is not deep (in situ is the technical term) the likelihood of spreading is low. I will be scheduled for the 2 1/2 inch incision to-morrow and I hope it can get done soon. I will likely have a good scar there with not much to be done about it.
The one below my eye is, as the doctor predicted, a basal cell cancer which does not spread. I will have Mohs surgery for that which will be less invasive. Dr. M. says if the surgeons feel it is needed the surgery will be followed by plastic surgery to make sure the wound doesn't "pull down" my eye.
Overall this is worse than I expected, but at least manageable. Would have liked to have known and dealt with this sooner because both skin situations have been there for a while. However, there is a good chance the melanoma won't be the forerunner of something worse. There still is a chance others may appear so Dr. M. and I are going to see each other frequently over at least the next year (like every two months) so he can check my skin.
The interesting thing about the melanoma: I don't remember the last time I went outside with my shirt off. Dr. M. says it could have been something that happened decades ago...a sunburn from when I did have my shirt off. If that one happened, others will likely follow.
Financially the last part of the year was tough and we just caught up. I was hoping for a reprieve but I guess not.