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Diagnosed today with Basal Cell Carcinoma on the nose and feeling worried.

lou-77
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I’ve gone and done what we would tell any friend not to do and that’s consult doctor Google. When you get a diagnosis, you want to find answers to your queries but it really hasn’t helped my nerves. I have a follow up appointment next week where the doctor will be discussing treatment. 
I feel like my worry has been split in 2. There is the C word no one wants to hear and then I’m equally worried about what treatment I will need. I know it’s incredibly vain of me but I’m worried about how I’m going to look once they’ve cut it out. You can’t hide you nose! 

  • Offline in reply to lou-77

    Hi Lou, thanks as always for your kind encouragement. You’ve been through an emotional ride with bcc but you’ve made it through so I hope I can do the same. When is your follow up appointment with the surgeon, is it soon now? I really hope you come away from the appointment feeling reassured about your scar’s ultimate appearance. Once I get mine done I hope to get more advice from you and Ed about scar massage, creams, etc. You will know what actually works.
    Can I ask, what was the ‘type’ of your bcc? The six month wait worries me because my bcc is part infiltrative, which is classed as aggressive in terms of growing long roots. I did ask the nurse about cancellations but she said they don’t really get many. 

  • Offline in reply to Dawntreader
    1. Hi Dawn, I was never told what type of bcc I had. Out of curiosity I’ll ask next time.
      It’s February this weekend, this year is going pretty fast. I’m sure the surgery date will come round fairly quickly. I do appreciate the level of worry you’re going through whilst waiting for surgery. It’s unbelievable the amount of people with skin cancer. Makes you wonder why that is?
      I’ve just had a follow up appointment with my surgeon. I popped along after work just expecting a chat but instead I had several steroid injections and some laser treatment.  I’m sitting down now at home with a cuppa just getting my head round it all. My surgeon was surprised how lumpy my graft was even though I have been massaging it twice a day. Hopefully today’s treatment will make a difference. It’s put the appearance of the graft back a few weeks though as it’s currently weeping and then it will scab over again. Hopefully it will be worth it in the long run. My next appointment is at the end of March. 
      I have my fingers crossed for you that you get a miracle new appointment in the not so distant future. 
  • Offline in reply to lou-77

    Hi Lou, it sounds like your instinct about your graft was spot on - that it wasn’t quite right. Really hoping it will show meaningful improvement now, once the new scabbing heals. It’s reassuring the surgeon is taking it seriously and I’m sure he’s doing whatever is best. I wouldn’t hesitate to contact him again before March if your instinct tells you to, though. Please let us know how it progresses. 

    As for me, I’ve decided to look into maybe going private, to bring the date forward if that’s possible. I have reservations but I’ll see what my options are anyway.

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