[Penquin]

Well after 18 years since my melanoma was removed, along with its sentinel node, I have just had to have a basal cell carcinoma removed from one shin after the biopsy showed that it was spreading as they do, locally.

Prior to that ihave had ultrasound, a CAT scan and now a PET scan to ascertain if there were any further problems as I have one node that is decidedly lumpy, that has not proved to be significant.

So, my message to everyone is NOT to ignore any odd scaly patches, lumps or areas that become red, or of course, any moles that enlarge, change colour, or bleed - get them checked asap.

i am now sat with my leg raised, knowing the stitches could not close the gap as there is no spare skin on your shin. That will heal VERY slowly over months with dressings daily along with antibiotic cream, non-adherent gauze and so on. The first dressing change this morning is being done by the nurse, at my daughter’s house, where we currently are until Monday afternoon, after that I hope MrsW’s nursing skills will be able to cope.

But “the first cut is the deepest”, is wrong - the second one was deeper and longer and wider….(P. P. Arnold was wrong !).

 

[Relyat]

Ouch.
Hope all goes well for you

 

[barryd]

Oh no. Sorry Dave. Hope it heals quickly for you and does not reappear.

 

[raynipper]

Join the club Dave. But at least we are getting rapid treatment in France.

Ray.

 

[Penquin]

Only one possible comment:

”ouch”

Keep it clean !

 

[JanHank]

Sorry to read this Dave, I hope you will mend quicker than you anticipate.

Blimey Ray can we have a warning next time, it looks like something out of a horror film. When was the photo taken and how is it now?

 

[HermanHymer]

Ooooh looks messy... and painful. Methinks a skin graft might have been helpful! Rapid healing both of you!

A skin graft was an option when I had a Bcc removed from my scalp, but it would have left a bald patch so plastic surgeon cut circle into ellipse, loosened the skin from the scalp and pulled the two edges together, healed a treat.

 

[JanHank]

Ooooh looks messy... and painful. Methinks a skin graft might have been helpful! Rapid healing both of you!

A skin graft was an option when I had a Bcc removed from my scalp, but it would have left a bald patch so plastic surgeon cut circle into ellipse, loosened the skin from the scalp and pulled the two edges together, healed a treat.

I did start to ask wasn't a skin graft possible, but as both didn`t have one thought maybe with such an open wound it was not possible so deleted what I had written.

 

[raynipper]

First melanoma after excavation was skin grafted over. But now more biopsies on same place kinda negated graft.

I have another trench worse but in groin Jan. But sparing you from that.

Ray.

 

[patp]

Good advice Dave. I reported an itchy spot on the back of my hand to the GP and he said it was a very slow growing skin cancer. He gave me some cream which burns it off (same active ingredient of Votarol!). Worked a treat. Then some more came up on my forehead - same treatment. Now hand one is back again

 

[HermanHymer]

Thats what happened to my scalp. First two checked (at great expense) by dermatologist found to be just keratoses. Then along came a third one, too stingy to go back to dermatologist. GP nuked it with dry ice. healed and then came back. This time a BCC with tentacles hence the big cut circle. (6 types of BCC Im told - they do grow, but don't metastasize). Still they dont go away on their own, they have to be dealt with.

 

[jiwawa]

Very sorry to hear your news Dave. I hope the treatment is successful. You haven't your sorrows to seek this weather.

 

[GMJ]

Sorry to here about this Dave. Good luck with the recuperation

 

[jhelm]

This one hits home here, I have so many keratosis spots that my dermatologist that was treating me at the hospital and has gone retired but still maintains a small private practice doesn`t even charge me to see her every couple of months to to have them frozen. Over the years I have had a few basil cells removed. Too much California sun before the days of good sun screen.

 

[raynipper]

We found it really odd that I was always the one cowering in the shade of a bar while my wife basted herself under the hot sun all day.
I get the skin cancers and melanomas and she has nothing. But the dermo doc said it's all to do with if you were a blonde baby and I was.

Ray.

 

[Penquin]

My surgery was done by the Consultant in her clinic, as much minor surgery major surgery (minor is what everyone else goes in for, major is what you go in for) is done without admission - it’s quicker and safer but skin grafts cannot be harvested in such a manner without a GA I believe, or a block as the excision from the donor site is soooo painful.

Ray might like to comment on that as he has had that experience, but I believe most people complain of most pain from the donor site…. MrsW’s nursing background confirms that belief from her experiences on wards.

 

[raynipper]

Correct Dave. My 'donor' site was inner thigh and from day one to 14 days later it was incredibly painful and tender.
The melanoma removal hole was healed and no dressing after a week. But the graft site was still so tender many weeks later.

Now my next fear is the removal of the 25 metal staples tomorrow by our neighbour nurse.!
She says there's nothing to it! Oh yeah.

Ray.

 

[jiwawa]

Dave, that sounds like a much more sensible use of resources when it can be done safely.

 

[suedew]

Correct Dave. My 'donor' site was inner thigh and from day one to 14 days later it was incredibly painful and tender.
The melanoma removal hole was healed and no dressing after a week. But the graft site was still so tender many weeks later.

Now my next fear is the removal of the 25 metal staples tomorrow by our neighbour nurse.!
She says there's nothing to it! Oh yeah.

Ray.

John had 37 removed after his hip replacement, it was a doddle. They wouldn't let me, retired, or DIL still working for the trust do it, they needed 'continuity of care' probably thought on no it's those 2 better do it by the book 😉

 

[Penquin]

Ray,

MrsW says it’s not a terrible job and can be quite easy…….

I hope that it goes well, I suspect your free fall skydiving days might be limited, but at least you will be able to go through an airport scanner without setting the alarms off……