I need help, encouragement, and advice - my 4th skin cancer

[DeepseekerADS]

I've discussed this before here, on the Barracks forum.

I've previously had 3 skin cancers cut off me on my driver's side = so it was easy for my doctor's at the VA to blame Sun exposure.

In the last two weeks I've had another pop up on my right side upper lip, burns like crazy and bleeds if I touch it. I've a VA appointment to remove it about two weeks from now.

These things just keep coming, and this one won't be the last.

I've been soaked with Agent Orange. I've never played it forward asking for bennies.

I need some guidance from friends, just how do I handle this?

Stay safe please.

 

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[devldog]

Deepseeker, I'm sorry to hear of your problems with skin cancer. If this was caused by agent Orange in Vietnam while you served your country, you need to seek help from the VA. I have a neighbor up the street that has had problems concerning this. He too served in Vietnam and was exposed to agent orange. This is not seeking frivolous freebies in any shape or form, but is something owed you from your government that you were serving in performance of your duties when exposed. This is just MHO for what it's worth. Best of luck to you and God's Speed. Prayers said.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

What kind of skin cancer is it? It doesnt necessarily have to be from Agent Orange, I have had skin cancer cut off of me several times. Doctors told me skin cancer can pop up from sun exposure 20 or 30 years ago. All of mine have been Basel skin cancer which is the least of the skin cancers.

 

[signal_line]

Just get in for regular check-ups. Ask your doctor, but like every three months if that's what it takes. They can freeze off the pre-cancerous spots. You need to stay ahead of it. Agent Orange I sure would ask somebody for legal assistance, especially if they can't get you quick medical help from a dermatologist.

I didn't get exposed to that but had sun damage beyond belief. When I go in I say I don't want to be here but I'm happy to be here. I can't count how many I've had surgically removed (had eight in about 16 months about a year ago) and maybe a thousand places they froze off. And it takes all my money for insurance. Skin grafts are way expensive some days cost $10,000. Plenty of anxiety. But i'm thankful for everything. Don't let it get to you. Get meds if needed. I try to joke about it. last time I asked the nurse if she had any spots froze off. She said no. I said they ought to do like with the police dept. where they taze them so they know how it feels.

 

[dsdigger]

Deepseeker, you served your country and put your life on the line, it is time for your country to help you and get to the VA for help. That is what the VA is for and you should take advantage of anything offered. Let them get you to the help you need and take some that stress off! I did not serve but I have family and friends that have and they would encourage you go. I stay covered up for fear of the sun but the other exposure, take any help offered or available!

 

[Mackaydon]

Deep,
Stay tenacious in your pursuit for an acceptable solution--which you deserve.
By being tenacious, if you 'hit a wall', you will find a way to the other side.
Don.......

 

[signal_line]

I don't know anything about your situation, but you should make sure they are doing Mohs surgery or get somebody who can. Mohs surgery they take a small amount and check to see if they got it all. If not, they know which area to take a bit more.

 

[Unclebuck257]

Deep, I've had 3 major Mohs surgeries on my face for skin cancers since 2011, all through the VA system. The first and largest was a Melanoma in the center of my forehead that wound up to be larger than a silver dollar. In fact it took a second day of surgery, plastic surgery, to close my forehead up because it was so big and that surgery lasted 4 to 5 hours. One other was a Melanoma and one was basil cell. Both of those were on the left side of my face and were about one and a half inches by an inch. As a result and after the first Mohs cancer surgery, I am automatically set up with check up appointments every six months with the VA Dermatology Dept. About six months ago, because a number of other places on both sides of my face were found I was given a tube of cream to use on all places on my face that appeared to be pre cancerous locations. It was nasty to use and after a week and a half, all the places where I was applying it started to become very red and irritated and by the third week all those places really looked nasty and ugly. You wouldn't want to be seen out looking like that kind of nasty. Anywho, that cream for all its nasty really worked and everyone of those places were completely clear of precancerous cells 8 weeks later. I guess what I'm trying to say brother is that you are not the only one with this problem. Now remember that our generation layed out on the beach as young teenagers, with only baby oil and iodine on our bodies to supposedly protect us from sun damage while we laid on the beach baking in the sun to get as brown as we could. Personally, I'm very fair skinned and burned badly easily. Hell brother, I get a sun burned face just out and about doing routine things. What I'm trying to say here is that I know my skin cancers are and were from years of just life, mostly outside of my 4 years in the Air Force. HOWEVER, if you believe your skin cancers are solely and mainly from your exposure to Agent Orange in Nam then go for it brother and present your claim and push it with the VA. Remember, the rule now is IF YOU SET FOOT IN COUNTRY, YOU HAVE A CLAIM FOR AO EXPOSURE. Go for it Deep and Good Luck Bro!!

 

[Jon Stewart]

Sounds like you need to check with your DAV rep for guidance. I found, after taking 2 1/2 years for my claim to be recognized, that you have to challenge and fight (in a nice way) almost every step of the way but it is worth the fight. If your present DAV rep isn't doing the job then look for one that will.. Mine told me that they would deny, deny, deny but he kept at it and as a result I got a DAV back pay check to the day I filed my first claim. Hang in there and Semper Fi

 

[RustyGold]

Sorry you’re having this problem Deep. I’ve had several mohs skin surgeries on the top of my head and ears. I seem to be doing well after going after it several times. Now I minimize my sun exposure the best I can.
Go for what you’ve earned by what you gave.

 

[N/A]

Dont trust the VA docs. Some are good most are not. If your VA doc is not a Vet you shouldn't trust him/her to give you the best treatment vs the least expensive treatment. Look into the "choice" program and go see a cancer specialist. At least that been my experience. Good luck brother

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Thanks for all the input guys!

The first 3 were diagnosed (I was told at the time of the surgeries) as basel cells. This appears as the same type as they were when they began.

I'm a red head, so I've never been big into sun exposure.

One thing I've gleaned from the responses (my take on it) is that these would not qualify for a VA Agent Orange claim. I'm okay with that, but I did wonder if I should file. I'll know more after the surgery as I'll question the surgeon directly.

 

[smokeythecat]

Blonds and redheads are more susceptible to basal cell carcinomas than darker skinned folks. It's just how it is. Exposure to the sun is the most likely cause and the only thing you can do to prevent more, is to always wear long sleeves and long pants and a hat.

The good news is, 20 years from now, you'll still be around to righteously tell about any new ones. Worst thing is to ignore them.

 

[Shortfinger]

My father-in law has had several skin cancers cut off over the course of 5 years or so, 2 of them Melanoma, including one in the top of his head, and most of his right ear lobe, as well as uncounted precancerous areas frozen off. He also was prescribed a nasty cream that led to all of the symptoms that were mentioned in a previous post. Although a twenty year marine, he was never exposed to Agent Orange, although, as can be expected, he spent a lot of time outside. He has not had to have even one area frozen in the last 36 months, so there is hope for you as well. Just keep on doing as the doctors suggest, and have faith.

JB

 

[Kace]

Dave, I hate to hear this, but I'm sure you'll beat this too. My G'pa had 40+ spots taken off that had the tentacles and I've had one done...it's not fun, but I can tell by your posts and your service you are a tough one!

I agree with the suggestions to go to a specialist on this. The VA in KC has gotten so much better than it was..I just feel better dealing with Drs that are specialized in the area I need.

You Are In My Prayers For A Speedy Recovery My Friend!

Kace

 

[Ol' Kentuck]

Deep, first and foremost I want to thank you for your service. To me this is an issue of choices. You did not choose to be exposed to AO, that choice was taken from you and was beyond your control. After being exposed you now have health issues that have been proven COULD be related to that exposure, and now have the opportunity to actually make a choice. You can own that choice, or give it up voluntarily. The choice yours this time.

Once exposed to AO, if a person developes ANY of the known diseases/medical conditions that have been shown could be the result of that exposure, there is NO WAY for them to be certain what actually caused it. Yes, it could have been sun exposure, or any number of other possibilities. But by being exposed to AO, you or they will never know which actually caused the cancer. The ability to determine that evaporated once you were exposed.

So, do you own your choice and file....or give it up and own the hand you've been dealt. Only you can make that decision, only you know what is best for you. Either way, seek the very best care you can find, consult a Specialist, and keep positive. You WILL beat this. The Adversary hates a positive attitude, so kick his azz with a Smile and keep on moving forward my friend. I'm beside you 100%.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Well, they took a sample off my right lip and said it was a basel cell carcinoma, but left it in place, and now one has come up on my left upper lip. So now, I have two of them on my upper lip = whatever, just whatever. I don't give much of a crap anymore. Just WTF. Been doing the VA thing now for weeks. Last week I was jogging on a treadmill, they were checking to see if I'd pass out jogging them tilted runners - I didn't. Guess I'm in better shape than I thought.

The danged thing I'm PO'd about is they had done NOTHING but acknowledge that I've them danged cancers. I won't have an upper lip here pretty soon! Whatever, I just don't give a rat's butt anymore. So, what they going to do? Cut my whole upper lip off? I guess my shiny pearls of teeth will make me feel better? Maybe somebody will come along and punch my upper teeth out and I'll just give a snaggly tooth hello to everyone? WTF. Kinda Pee'd about this.

Whatever, whatever, it's coming a time I don't care anymore. Though I would like to continue chasing ladies......

 

[Kray Gelder]

A basal cell carcinoma is not fatal. They are usually confined to the skin layer. Sometimes, if they are allowed to grow, they will penetrate below the skin. I have had several removed. Have yours removed, also.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

DS, hang in there, as long as it's Basil your doing good, Basil is the least dangerous of the skin cancer family, I have had it cut off at least 4 times over the years and think I have another one to have cut now.


"BCCs are abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). BCCs often look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars and are usually caused by a combination of cumulative and intense, occasional sun exposure.
BCC almost never spreads (metastasizes) beyond the original tumor site. Only in exceedingly rare cases can it spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening. It shouldn’t be taken lightly, though: it can be disfiguring if not treated promptly.
More than 4 million cases of basal cell carcinoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. In fact, BCC is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. More than one out of every three new cancers is a skin cancer, and the vast majority are BCCs."

https://www.skincancer.org/skin-can...MIg8roobuD4gIVAp6fCh2JUQhSEAAYASAAEgKJqfD_BwE

 

[Real of Tayopa]

elo Deepseeker, I had one removed from the right side of my lip healed perfectly.but agent orange / You are possibly susceptible to others.I used Cesium Chloride as a backup, check on it contact me if you wish. tayopa1767@gmail.com. I see that I am a bitt late, how did it turn out ///// I had three removed at once - left thigh, lower lip, and neck, which left me without a right salivary glhhhhand and a carved ouy neck.


they also removed 23 lymph glands, so it had metastasized Tha was 15 years ago, no sign of any others. I creidi it t to Cetchl for keeping me healthy.