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down_home
Explorer II
Feb 13, 2019

Skin Cancers

For a few years or more they have frozen "precancers" Keratitis off my ears and my cheek and ignored one on my head as inocious Keratitis. I probably spelled that wrong.
Developed bad Vertigo and went to outside ER.
The ENT Doctor spotted the places on my ear and head and removed them in two sessions. Basal Cell Carcinomas on ear and Squamous Cell Carcinoma on head.
Subsequently a Doctor found one on my cheek that had been frozen in the past. The Basal Cell Carcinoma on my cheek had been not given the attention required Dismissed by "Residents" nothing for at least a couple years. It went deep
Went about 7-8 mm deep into fat skin layer. Had to sleep up right, last night, can't look down, smile or anything for a few days. Had to do some cosmetic surgery.
Told that once you get them they will show up again and again just about anywhere on your body.
All mine were from sun damage in my youth and early adulthood, practically living outdoors.
So get a Dermatological check up often.
Do not trust "Residents" that are in really students from a University.
Just one and you can dismiss it but different classes and different Resident each year.
Another Dr told me of a consultation, at another local hospital.
The Person he was asked to examine, his Son had told him for years to get a place a skin cancer, next to his hairline looked at.
He didn't and just put some salve on it.
By the time this Doctor examined him you could see the dura and the brain pulsing.
Had to tell him there was nothing that could be done.
So do not let those "precancers" places that don't heal or flake off and bleed when you wash etc go unattended.
RVers are out in the sun a bit more than many Folks.
Get a wide brimmed cowboy hat and use sunscreen even when cloudy.
  • So sorry to hear you have to go through that. Both my wife and I have had run-ins with skin cancer. Mine have been minor but her's was similar to what you've experienced.
    In her case whe went in to a specialsts office to get a few spots on her face cut off. Things were worse than they thought and they ended up peeling half her face away. They came out to me in the waiting room and told me I have to take my DW directly to the local hospitals emergency room where they have arranged for emergency reconstructive surgery. She spent 4 days in the hospital. Her scars have healed well and you have to know where the cuts were to find the scars.
    Then a year later she went through a hideous chemical peel to get even more of the cancer.
    We avoid the sun at all costs.
  • I have been an outdoors man all my life, lived in Hawaii for two years and worked construction projects. Developed a BCC on my eyelid, two surgeries for removal and cosmetic surgery the second time. I've had dozens of pre-cancers removed and use creams for some. I have several spots on my nose right now and a couple on my scalp. We have a direct line to our dermatologists and my wife will be calling to set up an appointment in the next day or two. We always go together because the DW has her over exposure problems too.

    If you are married like I am, take a shower and lay on the bed and let your DW(SO) whoever inspect for possible signs of abnormalities.

    Do the same for her.

    It might save your life.

    I have suffered through PC and it sucks, our DD has been fighting CC for over twelve years and that sucks and is the worse emotional roller coaster you can ride. Treatments for advanced cancers SUCK. Chemo is baaaaaad, radiation is worse.

    Be careful and be very alert to any changes.
  • :) Hi, I might have missed it, but for me, my first basal cell showed up after my 65th birthday. The first one was on my nose and they cut a crater out of it. It was done with Mohs and they got it all the first time. The next one was on my temple and they had to do it twice. The third one was on the center of my back; Even though they removed a lot, this one also took two times to get it all. Several smaller ones were frozen. These should not be ignored.
  • when looking at bass tournament programs I note that there seems to be a trend to wear gloves and a kerchief to cover lower face and neck.
    bumpy
  • I have a couple of I believe micro fiber long sleeve pull over shirts designed primarily designed for salt water fishermen. One has a Marlin jumping on the back side.
    Any sweet just evaporates quickly.
    I am considering buying a few more. Not too fashionable off the water but maybe not affordable since Cabelas was taken over by Bass Pro. Everything is much higher in price at both now.
    Perhaps some are available on line.
    Besides those, I have several "Cowboy" shirts that are heavy with double shoulders and upper body to fend of the sun. The ones I prefer if they get wet however feel like 20 lbs.
    The average shirt, is not good protection from the sun. I have gotten sunburn wearing just polo shirts on shoulders and back and upper front of body. These are the Under Armor Micro fibers too. And tee shirts migh as well wear none, colored or not.
    So still going to have to wear Sun Block under chin, neck, face and ears plus wide brimmed hat...or not leave Tn where we have had only five or six days total since November of sun. :)
  • I really like clothes designed for fishing for use in hot weather. I use them a lot especially with long sleeves, sometimes with a hood. A buff is a great addition for sunny days on the water. Wear a brimmed hat and bring long pants.
  • My uncle is 92. He was in the merchant marine for over 20 years and in the Pacific in WWII. He spent the winter in Hawaii for years. He has had so many skin cancers it has given everyone else in the family the message. He had one melanoma that almost killed him.

    When I hear people talk about sun bathing I just shake my head. I wish we knew then what we know now.
  • ppine wrote:
    I really like clothes designed for fishing for use in hot weather. I use them a lot especially with long sleeves, sometimes with a hood. A buff is a great addition for sunny days on the water. Wear a brimmed hat and bring long pants.


    I just bought a nice looking one at sam's club.$15.00. had both long and short sleeved ones.
    bumpy

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