Hi Lou, I’m impressed that the conversation actually covered different options. I didn’t really get that from my NHS appointments. Try not to worry too much, because your NHS people sound like they’re on top of things. 

Did your dermatologist say how long you might have to wait to see the MOHs specialist?

My private appointment is on Monday, I need to make a definitive list of questions, argh.

I had basal cell removed from my nose a year ago. The surgeon went in three times, and the Moh’s surgery took about 6 hours for my nose. I have a big scar that is fading but I can hide it with make up and you can’t tell at all if I wear glasses. It’s hard when it’s your face- I’ve had a lot of skin cancer and hopefully won’t get anymore on my face. I would do the Moh’s surgery if you can and then you will know they got it all. I wore scar pads for about 6 months after the stitches were out and skin healed. My scar is down my entire nose and zig-zags to the side. Hopefully you will have a small scar. Good Luck!

Thank you for sharing your story Elizabeth30 , it’s reassuring to hear about good outcomes. The NHS plastic surgeon I saw said statistically Mohs would lessen the chances of missing some cancer cells by about 2%. When it’s on your face that seems worth it, to me anyway. (Mine is on and under my eyebrow though I also have a small bump on my cheek they’re looking at). But she was suggesting I accept the basic excision surgery because it’s got a much shorter waiting list. I supposedly will get a referral to the NHS Mohs expert for a consult but no telling how long that will take to come through. And no telling if he’d then accept me for surgery. The worry is whether the bcc is spreading in the meantime.

Hi Lou,

How are things with you?

I had my private-pay appointment with the Mohs specialist today. He took one look and confirmed the ‘main’ lesion, the one I went to my GP about, is bcc. That’s the one at the top of my eyelid, under my eyebrow. 

He’s booked me to have it treated via Mohs surgery on the NHS, at the hospital where he does his NHS work.

During that surgery they’ll also take biopsies of the two other spots I had concerns about, though he doesn’t think those are cancer. (yay!) PLUS a small one on my nose which he thinks is also bcc. (Gulp!) But if it needs taking off they’ll do it via Mohs too.

The waiting list will supposedly be about six months but he says that’s safe. (That’s what it would be if I got it done at my local hospital too - and I don’t even know if they’d agree to do it there.)

I really hope you get your appointment soon. 

Hi Dawn, thank you for the update. I’m pleased to hear there was a sprinkling of good news in there about the other two areas of concern unlikely to be cancerous. What a relief! It sounds like speaking to the surgeon was a positive experience and you now have a plan of what’s to come. 

My next appointment is with the Mohs surgeon to talk about the operation but unfortunately it’s not for another 5  weeks. I’m trying to stay positive for the sake of my family but to be honest I’m not dealing with it very well. 

Would be great if you could stay in touch and let me know how you’re getting on.

I’m glad they’ve given you a date to see the surgeon, but if you’re struggling with the anxiety, I’ve heard of people on waiting lists politely ringing up to ask if there have been any cancellations they could get slotted into. Might be worth trying?

I realised as I walked away from the appointment yesterday, that I don’t know if the expert I saw will actually be doing my surgery - he never actually said HE would be the one doing it. Maybe I should email him and ask but I don’t want to seem pushy

I also realised I failed to ask about a very small ‘lump’ on my hand I’m wondering about. I will bring it up next time I see someone. 

Good Luck with your surgery! The Moh’s surgeon told me to start using scar pads 2-3 weeks after the surgery after stitches were out and everything else was healed - I had around 25 stitches down my nose. The scar pads kept the area moist for healing. I slept with them daily for months after the surgery. I bought a scar-pad roll and cut pieces off to fit the scar. I can cover with make-up now and there’s one area that is still pink but’s not noticeable with make-up and glasses. Hopefully yours will be small. My mom had a small one removed on her nose that they only went in once and you can’t see the scar at all.

That’s really useful information Elizabeth30 , thank you. It’s good to have someone who’s been through it providing reassurance. I didn’t ask how many stitches I’m likely to have.

I try to make a list of questions before each appointment, but it seems to go down a different path than I expect. So then my pre-set questions aren’t necessarily relevant.