A Day Late and a Dollar Short...BCC and me

[DrJoePrime]

Not the kind of post I anticipated writing after being a lurker on here since last summer.

Friday the doctor's nurse called and said the result of a biopsy on my small nose "pimple" was positive for BCC. BCC is Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Now that's the least aggressive mildest form of skin cancer you can get..but it sure is not fun and shocking to hear. An "excision" is planned. I wish the doctor would have talked to me herself and also told me what the alternatives are but she didn't. So here I sit probably much more concerned than I need to be. The nurse could not schedule the "excision" before a month and a half AND I am leaving in three weeks for a long (2 to 3 month) stay in Europe. I asked to be put on a cancellation list so we shall see.

Tomorrow is my yearly physical (good timing there) and I'll get the diagnosis sent to him. I'm not at all concerned about the excision OR alternate treatment happening in Europe (I just need my hand held ). I'm soon hitting 72 and actually am in great shape other than some mild arthritis.

The main reason for this post is to ALERT you all to this one danger we face from being in the sun! DO USE LOTION! DO COVER UP! I think we beach hunters are especially vulnerable.

Anybody wanting to contribute their experiences with BCC...I'm anxious and ready to listen.

 

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[CASPER-2]

Hope all turns out well for you my friend
when I travel down to Carrib. or Fla. where the sun is harse - even in my New Eng. waters and wearing a mask - I cover my face with best waterproof stuffout there
people always make fun of me all the time I spend in the sun detecting and never have a tan or get burnt
Ive many friends - bunch in Fla, that have gotten skin cancer cause they never thought theyd have to worry bout it
maybe you will help others out there too with your warning

 

[search and recovery]

Hope all turns out good for you Dr Joe. This is always a concern for us beach hunters.

 

[MTJosh]

Joe - hope all works out. thoughts are with you. My dad has the same thing. He now has a scheduled apt every 6monts to burn/freeze/cut off any new items. Thankfully always caught early so no problems in last 10-15yrs.
I will be sure to put extra lotion on. Have fun on your trip. You are not missing any beach detecting around here with all the sanded in conditions.

 

[OBN]

Good Luck Doc! Keep us informed on how it goes, I'm sure many of us will share the same outcome.

 

[dewcon4414]

Not to worry..... ive had it done. Couple of shots around it, then they quickly do the removal and test it right there to ensure they got it all.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I have had basil cell cut off me several times. I now bathe in sunscreen SPF 50, wear long sleeve shirt rated SPF 50, broad bill hat with neck scarf that is SPF 50 too. I also always have small tube of sunscreen with me that attaches to my detector harness..

 

[Sandman]

I have been lucky so far, but like Treasure_Hunter I don't tempt fate. Another tip: Don't look directly at the Sun.

 

[MiamiFox]

I have been lucky so far, but like Treasure_Hunter I don't tempt fate. Another tip: Don't look directly at the Sun.

Good luck Joe. I've had some taken off. The first time was the fear its going to hurt but its over in a second. Since then 70 block on everything, long sleeve T, and a big hat. Maybe Sandman is right I might need a welders helmet for my eyes
Please post updates good luck.

 

[gold fever pete]

Joe this is Pete. Sorry to hear about this. I hope all works for you. Thanks for the heads up.HH GFP

 

[Sleepy]

Good luck, I'm sure it will all go well. It's scary but very common. There's a company out of Florida that makes what they call a "Hoorag". It's a new type bandana that can be worn a number of different ways to protect your neck and head. I really like them because they're thin and have no effect on wearing headphones. I attached the link below. I d not work for them and am not advertising for them but its a great idea. Watch the video on the site that shows all the ways you can wear them.
Here's the link Hoo Rag | Seamless Bandanas, Custom Bandana Printing

 

[biggmike]

Thanks for sharing and good luck with your treatment. Your message was clear and I hope everyone will lotion and cover up a little better because of this post. I know I will.... Thanks again