Love the Skin You're in!!!

**theworm**[$] · #1 06-13-2006, 12:01 PM

I'm supposed to visit the dermatologist twice a year - so why haven't I been in a year and a half? Because I'm lazy! No Excuse!!

Went this morning. All the little spots and marks that I noticed are fine. Got a pesky thing frozen off my back. And the pesky little pimple that won't go away on my nose turned out to be a little tumor. He shopped it off to biopsy it for Basil Cell cancer. I think it will test benign, but if it is a problem - better to get it early!!

So - my little reminder - everyone should get a full body check once a year. Please don't ignore your skin. It's so easy to get checked and so important. Because of a routine check six years ago, I caught a melanoma before it became a problem.

If you haven't been to the dermatologist - please go. Even if you don't live in Florida - skin cancer effects a lot of people, and a little bit of caution can keep it from being a serious problem.

**taurusmoon** · #2 06-13-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

theworm said

He shopped it off to biopsy it for Basil Cell cancer.

Those basil cells are such pestos.

Bad spelling. Good advice.

**theworm**[$] · #3 06-13-2006, 12:16 PM

Spelling is NOT one of the top 10 important things in life.

**pippadaisy**[$] · #4 06-13-2006, 10:31 PM

basil = pesto
basal = um. something. I had a thermometer. It got me pg.

**theworm**[$] · #5 06-13-2006, 10:34 PM

you aren't going to comment on the shopping / chopping?

**pippadaisy**[$] · #6 06-13-2006, 11:49 PM

No. You went shopping for basil to make pesto. I understood you perfectly.

**theworm**[$] · #7 06-14-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

pippadaisy said

No. You went shopping for basil to make pesto. I understood you perfectly.

**theworm**[$] · #8 06-20-2006, 12:49 PM

Pass the pesto.

I have to go next week for Mohs procedure on that pesky nose thingy.
See - good to catch things EARLY!

Have you made your appts yet?

**lynnzop**[$] · #9 06-20-2006, 12:52 PM

What is a mohs procedure? I hope this isn't serious!

**taurusmoon** · #10 06-20-2006, 12:53 PM

Are you saying what I think you're saying?

**amykhar** · #11 06-20-2006, 01:03 PM

About Mohs Micrographic Surgery
I think she is.

Best wishes wormie.

**lynnzop**[$] · #12 06-20-2006, 01:05 PM

I just read some stuff...

This is just a little wee pesky bump thingee, right?

When is the appt?

**theworm**[$] · #13 06-20-2006, 01:05 PM

Oh please - this is no biggie. If you look at the photos of Mohs it is freaky - so I'm not looking because they'll turn my stomach. It's basal which is the least worrisome kind. I've had worse. I really think that he probably got it all with the biopsy and that he's check one layer and send me home. It's tiny - nothing to fret about. Honestly - I thought it was a pimple.

Hey! It's a half day out of the office. And I can bring my crochet.

**taurusmoon** · #14 06-20-2006, 01:12 PM

I am so glad you went for your exam.

**theworm**[$] · #15 06-20-2006, 01:19 PM

So when are the rest of you going?????

**lynnzop**[$] · #16 06-20-2006, 01:24 PM

I get checked when I do my annual (September?). I had a thingee removed from my neck a number of years ago - it was a nothingburger, but I got concerned when it changed color. No scar to speak of.

You know you have our good luck vibes and virtual hugs, Wormie. I just hope it doesn't hurt!

**Prepoia**[$] · #17 06-20-2006, 01:29 PM

I went last summer and had a few bothersome moles removed but all was well. I wish you the same outcome and am VERY happy that you continue to get checked. Early anything is the best anything.

Good for you. I know how hard it is to get something looked at when you've had bad news before.

Sandy
Who has another check up today and is extremely nervous as always at these 6 month check ups.

**theworm**[$] · #18 06-20-2006, 01:31 PM

good luck with your check-up Sandy! Hope its all good news!

frazzledspice · #19 06-20-2006, 01:55 PM

Even though it's important for everyone to have their skin checked, it's especially important for people who have had skin cancers of any type.

I had one funny mole removed once (tests were negative.) My 17 year old daughter has some moles on her scalp, underneath her hair, that have been checked and measured. One was removed because it started changing, but it was OK.

It's really odd because she doesn't have very many moles on the rest of her body, and these are all the size of small birthmarks.

They're hard to check, and so I have always been very diligent about having her doctor look at them.

My children are redheads (as was my husband) and my daughter is blond. We are a family of sunscreen users.

*emeleel* · #20 06-20-2006, 05:30 PM

Wormie! I'm glad they caught this early, even if you're not real worried.

Quote:

The cure rate for Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the highest of all treatments for skin cancer—up to 99 percent even if other forms of treatment have failed.

Good to know.

**AshleyA**[$] · #21 06-21-2006, 03:12 PM

I am anal and go to the dermatologist at least once a year. I'm a pasty lass with a family history of malignant melanoma. My mom was diagnosed with it abotu 20 years ago, and it scared me into taking care of my skin at an early age.

So far, I haven't had any problems, and my skin checks have all been clean and clear of any warning signs.

I'm so happy to see others approaching dermal health with such zeal!

**theworm**[$] · #22 06-21-2006, 03:23 PM

Thanks Ashley!
I sort of harp on it because so many people I know don't get checked. I didn't until I moved to Florida, and I've caught two things early already. It doesn't matter where you live - everyone should get checked - it's so easy.