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Better Safe than Sorry!
Aug. 3rd, 2017 04:38 pmYesterday, I had a full skin check at the dermatologist in St. Paul. I had to disrobe and be checked all over. If you remember, back in February, I had a second MOHS procedure, this one to remove skin cancer on the crown of my head. I allowed the wound to heal without stitches. It healed quite nicely without a lot of scarring.
For most of June and part of last month, I suffered through two itching rashes, one due to an allergic reaction to Prilosec; the other to my laptop computer. I had been putting the laptop on top of a pillow in my lap and the heat and nickel released triggered the rash, almost like a burn. The reason I mention both is the two severe rashes have left me with very dry skin.
At yesterday's appointment, the dermatologist used cryosurgery, "freezing" off of three pre-cancers, two on the crown of my head next to where the MOHS procedure was performed; also, one on my right temple. I had a spot biopsied in the hairline of my left temple. I am waiting the results of the biopsy. If it is a malignant basel cell carcinoma, I will most likely have to have another procedure. *sigh* ... I'll know in ten days. Fingers crossed for the best outcome. One thing I've learned over the 30 years I've been having pre-cancers removed. Don't wait to be checked!
The doctor's recommendations for me are very specific. "I recommend diligent sun protection (including sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved clothing, avoidance of tanning beds, avoidance of the sun between 10 and 4pm, monthly self skin exam and return to clinic in 1 year or sooner as needed for new or changing growths."
I've gotten teased in the past few years for always wearing a hat and sunglasses when I leave the house. I've never used a tanning bed. (Honestly, I think it's stupid.) But, it's going to be difficult to be housebound between 10am and 4pm ... and the longsleeved clothing during the summer ... hmmm. But, since my nose is five years old and I've had to endure two other procedures, I better listen. Better safe than sorry!
Also, while I was in St Paul, I asked to have someone go over the results of my annual bloodwork taken 7-18-17. I was very pleased. Cholestrol, liver function, kindney function and blood sugar were all normal and/or improved. My second colonoscopy is scheduled for September.
For most of June and part of last month, I suffered through two itching rashes, one due to an allergic reaction to Prilosec; the other to my laptop computer. I had been putting the laptop on top of a pillow in my lap and the heat and nickel released triggered the rash, almost like a burn. The reason I mention both is the two severe rashes have left me with very dry skin.
At yesterday's appointment, the dermatologist used cryosurgery, "freezing" off of three pre-cancers, two on the crown of my head next to where the MOHS procedure was performed; also, one on my right temple. I had a spot biopsied in the hairline of my left temple. I am waiting the results of the biopsy. If it is a malignant basel cell carcinoma, I will most likely have to have another procedure. *sigh* ... I'll know in ten days. Fingers crossed for the best outcome. One thing I've learned over the 30 years I've been having pre-cancers removed. Don't wait to be checked!
The doctor's recommendations for me are very specific. "I recommend diligent sun protection (including sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved clothing, avoidance of tanning beds, avoidance of the sun between 10 and 4pm, monthly self skin exam and return to clinic in 1 year or sooner as needed for new or changing growths."
I've gotten teased in the past few years for always wearing a hat and sunglasses when I leave the house. I've never used a tanning bed. (Honestly, I think it's stupid.) But, it's going to be difficult to be housebound between 10am and 4pm ... and the longsleeved clothing during the summer ... hmmm. But, since my nose is five years old and I've had to endure two other procedures, I better listen. Better safe than sorry!
Also, while I was in St Paul, I asked to have someone go over the results of my annual bloodwork taken 7-18-17. I was very pleased. Cholestrol, liver function, kindney function and blood sugar were all normal and/or improved. My second colonoscopy is scheduled for September.
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