So it has been quite a long time from the early days here. I do recognize Bubbles! And she is quite the survivor! My history was a long process dealing with so many basal and squamous cell skin cancers that I no longer remember how many. The good news about that was that learned a great deal about spotting and evaluating my new lesions as they occurred. By the time I got my first, and then my second mm positive, I spotted them both very early on and demanded an excisional biopsy from the get go! Both times they were considered Stage 0 although one was somewhat dubious and a second excision was required later. In the old days we had some wild and humorous exchanges on an off topic board. Don’t know if that board still exists? Many a night was spent into the wee hours with fellow patients and care givers! I spent several years as a volunteer at Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa and was volunteer of the year after establishing a support group for melanoma patients. As of now I recently turned 80. I also survived prostate cancer a few years back. And am on my third pacemaker! I rarely go more than 6 months between biopsies still. All are either basal or Sq. And I have frequently warned other folks to get a very suspicious lesion biopsies asap! And some of those turned out to be positive! So if you notice something unusual on a friend or family member, etc. Don’t be shy! Gently warn them to get it checked. And share your own experience if necessary to convince them. I know very well what’s like lying in bed unable sleep into the wee hours waiting for results and what comes next. My wife is a breast cancer survivor. We have taken turns being each others invaluable support person through the journey! Well I have babbled on long enough. Stay strong and never give up!!!
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