Just a little short of six weeks ago I had surgery to remove a skin cancer.
Initially this was thought to be a simple Basal Cell Cancer.
This is one of the commonest cancers...and it rarely if ever kills anyone.
A biopsy of mine showed it to be a little more serious than that.
It was an invasive form and had gone into my muscle in my temple.
Still no big deal and nothing to worry about.
Yet....once someone tells you that you have cancer....even one that is easily treated, you DO worry.
I needed some surgical intervention.
This was an unwelcome imbuggerance. My regular readers will know how much I hate having to be 'festered' with.
I have blogged about it many times.
I was given a cancellation for my surgery appointment....but still a weeks notice(I would have preferred only 24 hrs really).
So I mentally turned the screw in my back....so by the morning of surgery I was hyper, hyper wound up.
I am not brave, but I asked for the operation to be done under local anaesthetic.
I am not sure if this was so that I could be aware at all times of what was going on.
I am a very curious(nosy) patient.
The surgery went well(though I would not choose to do an encore) and I think if I needed to have similar surgery again I would (perhaps) deal with it better.
Recovery was a different matter.
Despite having just local anaesthesia, I was sick as a dog.
I could not sleep on my right side(preferred)...I have a face like I had done a few rounds with Mike Tyson....and lost every one of them...the operation site looked like a torn quilt....but the stitches were microscopic....and soluble(hooray).
The swellings persisted for about a month...the bruises dispersed a little bit quicker.
Two weeks ago I received a letter asking ,e to an appointment at RBH....to see the Skin Care Nurse.
That appointment was today.
I was worried the it might just be the pathology report would show an incomplete removal of the lesion....and that I might need further intervention.
I have found that sometimes being a little bit pessimistic can be helpful....if your fears turn out to be unfounded then you have won....if your pessimism is justified then at least you have mentally prepared yourself.
I know not everyone will agree with this approach, but it works for me.
Anyway....the scar was scrutinised, it still has a way to go....but I have my instructions.
Then came the report on the tissue.
There was a clear cancer free margin all around the excised tissue.
I was given the option of a further follow up in two months....or being discharged (with the proviso that I can refer myself back to clinic if necessary).
Which do you think I chose?
Right first time!
I am discharged.
I am cured from this episode.
I have been warned that because I have had one episode, that another one is possible....but I know what to look for and how to deal with it.
So that is my good news!
Initially this was thought to be a simple Basal Cell Cancer.
This is one of the commonest cancers...and it rarely if ever kills anyone.
A biopsy of mine showed it to be a little more serious than that.
It was an invasive form and had gone into my muscle in my temple.
Still no big deal and nothing to worry about.
Yet....once someone tells you that you have cancer....even one that is easily treated, you DO worry.
I needed some surgical intervention.
This was an unwelcome imbuggerance. My regular readers will know how much I hate having to be 'festered' with.
I have blogged about it many times.
I was given a cancellation for my surgery appointment....but still a weeks notice(I would have preferred only 24 hrs really).
So I mentally turned the screw in my back....so by the morning of surgery I was hyper, hyper wound up.
I am not brave, but I asked for the operation to be done under local anaesthetic.
I am not sure if this was so that I could be aware at all times of what was going on.
I am a very curious(nosy) patient.
The surgery went well(though I would not choose to do an encore) and I think if I needed to have similar surgery again I would (perhaps) deal with it better.
Recovery was a different matter.
Despite having just local anaesthesia, I was sick as a dog.
I could not sleep on my right side(preferred)...I have a face like I had done a few rounds with Mike Tyson....and lost every one of them...the operation site looked like a torn quilt....but the stitches were microscopic....and soluble(hooray).
The swellings persisted for about a month...the bruises dispersed a little bit quicker.
Two weeks ago I received a letter asking ,e to an appointment at RBH....to see the Skin Care Nurse.
That appointment was today.
I was worried the it might just be the pathology report would show an incomplete removal of the lesion....and that I might need further intervention.
I have found that sometimes being a little bit pessimistic can be helpful....if your fears turn out to be unfounded then you have won....if your pessimism is justified then at least you have mentally prepared yourself.
I know not everyone will agree with this approach, but it works for me.
Anyway....the scar was scrutinised, it still has a way to go....but I have my instructions.
Then came the report on the tissue.
There was a clear cancer free margin all around the excised tissue.
I was given the option of a further follow up in two months....or being discharged (with the proviso that I can refer myself back to clinic if necessary).
Which do you think I chose?
Right first time!
I am discharged.
I am cured from this episode.
I have been warned that because I have had one episode, that another one is possible....but I know what to look for and how to deal with it.
So that is my good news!
