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Enough … Or Too Much? with my apologies
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Enough … Or Too Much? with my apologies

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Enough … Or Too Much? with my apologies

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    • July 7, 2013 at 7:02 pm
    chalknpens
    Participant

      I am here to vent some frustration, self-doubt, and fear. I have so little to complain about in comparison to most here. I offer my apologies.

      I've only been dealing with skin cancer for a little more than a year – treatments, that is. I've no doubt had it for years and years.
      The cancer sitings have been now on my right shoulder (basal), left back(melanoma), left forearm(melanoma), right shin(basal), left calf (squamous)

      I am here to vent some frustration, self-doubt, and fear. I have so little to complain about in comparison to most here. I offer my apologies.

      I've only been dealing with skin cancer for a little more than a year – treatments, that is. I've no doubt had it for years and years.
      The cancer sitings have been now on my right shoulder (basal), left back(melanoma), left forearm(melanoma), right shin(basal), left calf (squamous)

      It took 8 surgeries and about a hundred sutures to clear those away. I have what some of you may recall my naming "The Mark of Zorro" on my back … seven inches long and three inches wide at the top and bottom. That's the largest of the set of five.

      … I saw the dermatologist last week, had another biopsy, and he prescribed an expensive cream rather than more cryosurgery on my forehead (his suggestion.) The biopsy came back positive:  on the left side of my chin, another squamous.

      If I have the first surgery on my face, I worry that I will face more to come in another three to six months. Will the next one be the spot on my nose, or among the brown 'liver spots' on my cheeks? Will I have this 'one only,' or perhaps 'just two,' and then, reasonably, 'one more?'

      Or will I say, now, 'Enough?' Where do I draw the line  … this is on top of Multiple Sclerosis … the cognitive effects of which took me out of my career as a public school teacher. How much is too much?
       

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    • Replies
        • July 8, 2013 at 4:07 pm
        Fen
        Participant

          It must be difficult dealing with this among other problems. Are you more concerned about facial scars or the emotional drain?  If it is the facial issue then the cream would be a great option if it is effective.  Can it also be used on melanoma or just squamous and basal?  If you can't use the cream then a skilled plastic surgeon can do a great job on the facial ones.

          If it is the weight of dealing with these issues then I have less to suggest.  My go-to therapies are exercise and people.  Can you exercise with your MS?  Do you belong to a local support group for cancer or MS?  Is there a Gilda's Club in your area?   Can you volunteer?  If you are not able to get out much there are online book clubs and other organizations.  

          At the end of the day you just have to reach down to the soles of your feet and pull out the strength to keep going on.

          Best of luck.

          • July 8, 2013 at 4:07 pm
          Fen
          Participant

            It must be difficult dealing with this among other problems. Are you more concerned about facial scars or the emotional drain?  If it is the facial issue then the cream would be a great option if it is effective.  Can it also be used on melanoma or just squamous and basal?  If you can't use the cream then a skilled plastic surgeon can do a great job on the facial ones.

            If it is the weight of dealing with these issues then I have less to suggest.  My go-to therapies are exercise and people.  Can you exercise with your MS?  Do you belong to a local support group for cancer or MS?  Is there a Gilda's Club in your area?   Can you volunteer?  If you are not able to get out much there are online book clubs and other organizations.  

            At the end of the day you just have to reach down to the soles of your feet and pull out the strength to keep going on.

            Best of luck.

            • July 8, 2013 at 4:07 pm
            Fen
            Participant

              It must be difficult dealing with this among other problems. Are you more concerned about facial scars or the emotional drain?  If it is the facial issue then the cream would be a great option if it is effective.  Can it also be used on melanoma or just squamous and basal?  If you can't use the cream then a skilled plastic surgeon can do a great job on the facial ones.

              If it is the weight of dealing with these issues then I have less to suggest.  My go-to therapies are exercise and people.  Can you exercise with your MS?  Do you belong to a local support group for cancer or MS?  Is there a Gilda's Club in your area?   Can you volunteer?  If you are not able to get out much there are online book clubs and other organizations.  

              At the end of the day you just have to reach down to the soles of your feet and pull out the strength to keep going on.

              Best of luck.

              • July 11, 2013 at 2:55 am
              chalknpens
              Participant

                Thank you, anonymous. I'll see the surgeon tomorrow, and I'll ask him what options other than more surgery are used on squamous sites on the chin. I don't think I can handle another full Moh surgery.

                People keep giving me credit for being strong and handling what life sends my way. They said that when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. They said that when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and curvature of the spine. And now they say that about the repeated diagnoses of skin cancers.

                It feels like an added weight to stand up straight and keep taking it. I'm so tired, and I know that's to be expected with multiple sclerosis. My face right now is a mess of red flaking blisters and I know that's to be expected with three days of Picato application. I feel it all that I've dealt with is all that I can deal with.

                I will ask him about other treatments. I don't think I can agree to another surgery. It just goes on and on.

                • July 11, 2013 at 2:55 am
                chalknpens
                Participant

                  Thank you, anonymous. I'll see the surgeon tomorrow, and I'll ask him what options other than more surgery are used on squamous sites on the chin. I don't think I can handle another full Moh surgery.

                  People keep giving me credit for being strong and handling what life sends my way. They said that when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. They said that when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and curvature of the spine. And now they say that about the repeated diagnoses of skin cancers.

                  It feels like an added weight to stand up straight and keep taking it. I'm so tired, and I know that's to be expected with multiple sclerosis. My face right now is a mess of red flaking blisters and I know that's to be expected with three days of Picato application. I feel it all that I've dealt with is all that I can deal with.

                  I will ask him about other treatments. I don't think I can agree to another surgery. It just goes on and on.

                  • July 11, 2013 at 2:55 am
                  chalknpens
                  Participant

                    Thank you, anonymous. I'll see the surgeon tomorrow, and I'll ask him what options other than more surgery are used on squamous sites on the chin. I don't think I can handle another full Moh surgery.

                    People keep giving me credit for being strong and handling what life sends my way. They said that when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. They said that when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and curvature of the spine. And now they say that about the repeated diagnoses of skin cancers.

                    It feels like an added weight to stand up straight and keep taking it. I'm so tired, and I know that's to be expected with multiple sclerosis. My face right now is a mess of red flaking blisters and I know that's to be expected with three days of Picato application. I feel it all that I've dealt with is all that I can deal with.

                    I will ask him about other treatments. I don't think I can agree to another surgery. It just goes on and on.

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