babacher
sleep apnea sucks
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-28
Greenwood, IN
clubs:
| cancer caught up with me
I've had a quarter-sized red rashy spot on the back of my neck for about 6 months. Finally, my wife convinced me to see a dermatologist. The derm. looked at it for about half a second and proclaimed "Yep, you've got a little skin cancer there."
Now... I'm not here for sympathy. Apparently this thing is no big deal - apply local anesthetic, scrape it off, go back to work. I'm not trying to compare my "cancer" to other people's honest to goodness Cancer.
What I want to say is this: don't think for a minute that you're somehow immune. I did, and I was wrong.
For as long as I can remember, I've never worn sunscreen. I think I've been sunburned 2 or 3 times in my lifetime, and only mildly. I can hang out all day in the bright sun, and my tan gets darker but I don't burn. I thought I only needed to worry about skin cancer if I was one of those unlucky people who sunburn easily.
WRONG!
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Help us cure TSC and cancer: Team Discovery |
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youngerberry
Bowling Alley Bum
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-13
Shreveport, LA
clubs: | I hate cancer.
I am glad you went in and had it looked at early. Cancer of any kind is nothing to sneeze at. Thanks for the warning as we all should be vigilant. Good thoughts and prayers to you. |
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Dersgniw
Disco Crunchin
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-10
behind you
clubs:
 ·Optimum Online
| reply to babacher
It's a good reminder to us all to go to a dermatologist and get checked out. Skin cancer is relatively common and very treatable. Sending thoughts and prayers your way. 
Your title scared the hell out of me by the way.
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I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope |
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penguins4evr
Premium
join:2002-01-17
The Colony
clubs:
| reply to babacher
Glad you caught it early. Regardless of the severity, the C-word is not one that anyone wants to hear.
Kudos to you for having it looked at, and to your wife for convincing you!
--
Team Discovery
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 |
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bbrcat
Mojo for Stan
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-09
NH
clubs:
| reply to babacher
You may think it's "no big deal", but it puts a scare in you,I know. Cancer(of all types) IS a big deal and that's why we all do what we do here !
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Team
Discovery |
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lilhurricane
Storm Coming
Premium,Mod
join:2003-01-11
Purple Zone
clubs: 
·Comcast
Host:
TV over IP
Software
RCN
Inside Insight
Team Discovery
| reply to babacher
Give Heather a ((hug)) for me..I'm glad she made you go.
..and know we're all here, sending good thoughts your way.
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Old_Grouch
If you don't want to know...don't ask
Premium
join:2004-05-26
Greenwood, IN
clubs:
 ·AT&T Midwest
| reply to babacher
said by babacher  :Now... I'm not here for sympathy. Apparently this thing is no big deal - apply local anesthetic, scrape it off, go back to work. I'm not trying to compare my "cancer" to other people's honest to goodness Cancer. Pssst, Bruce! any cancer is honest to goodness cancer.
I can't stand any of them....especially when they hit good folks!
Buy sunscreen, keep crunchin' and eat your veggies!
--
At Team Discovery we know how to get more outta that danged 'puter of yours!
If you paid taxes it's a rebate. If you didn't, it's welfare. |
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rescue85
In Memory of Guinness 03-30-07
Premium
join:2002-06-12
Brick, NJ
clubs:
| said by Old_Grouch : Pssst, Bruce! any cancer is honest to goodness cancer.I can't stand any of them....especially when they hit good folks! Buy sunscreen, keep crunchin' and eat your veggies! Bruce, I hope you get right on top of this and don't let it get the best of you. It happens, hence why we are here and we are all here for you. As for veggies I hate them, even though I know they are great for you!
You will over come my friend!
-John
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Life is a giant fish bowl... There is no way out but up.. Team Discovery |
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babacher
sleep apnea sucks
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-28
Greenwood, IN
clubs:
| reply to babacher
Thanks, everybody.
When I told Heather how nonchalant the doc was when he told me "Yep, it's cancer!", she got angry. But you know... his attitude told me that this particular thing is not something I need to worry about. He'll remove it - and that will be the end of it. If he had been more concerned it would have made me more concerned.
But, I've been wondering the last few days. Does this pre-dispose me to be more sensitive to the same thing happening again (sorta like people with allergies who get over-sensitized)? Does this make me more likely to get something worse?
I've been looking on the internet and the only info I can find on non-melanoma skin cancer is just as nonchalant about it as the doctor was. But still, I wonder...
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Help us cure TSC and cancer: Team Discovery |
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Dersgniw
Disco Crunchin
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-10
behind you
clubs:
·Optimum Online
| I believe it means your more prone to getting more of these. I know my mother and grandfather get/got moles removed quite often. They usually are told they are pre-cancerous... never cancerous. I'm surprised the doc said it's cancer without doing a biopsy. Obviously your doc knows more, but I imagine you should go back every year for a good look-over.
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I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope |
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babacher
sleep apnea sucks
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-28
Greenwood, IN
clubs:
| reply to babacher
This isn't like a mole, it's more like a rash. Very similar to this: »www.dartmouth.edu/~thabif/weekly···ase.html
You're probably right about needing a biopsy for a true diagnosis. I know they plan to biopsy what they remove, and I'll probably learn more.
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Help us cure TSC and cancer: Team Discovery |
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Starfish
Per Ardua Ad Astra
ExMod 2002-04
join:2000-12-28
Netherlands
clubs:
| reply to babacher
Doing a quick scan over the forums title after being away for some while and seeing this title is spine-chilling.
Given the title I'm glad to read that it's ""just"" (heavily quoted for obvious reasons) a small area of skin that is affected.
It's indeed easy to think that one is immune for it. Sounds like we have the same kind of skin (rarely sunburned and normally only getting a darker tan), but I since I once read something that basically said something like "darker tan equals DNA damage" (not sure exactly in how far this is true, but:) I've got a lot more respect for those sun rays.
(But I'm a programmer, how often do I see the sun anyway?!?  )
Many years ago I read something about the "ABC(DE)"-check. A few simple rules/guidelines that one can use to get an idea about if a particular skin area is showing a potentially unhealthy change. I really would recommend reading this!
»www.caminomedical.com/dermatology/abcs.html
»www.afraidtoask.com/skinCA/skinwarning.html
Finally there's of course a nice dose of mojo heading your way! |
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babacher
sleep apnea sucks
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-28
Greenwood, IN
clubs:
edit:
April 19th, @09:27PM
| reply to babacher
Some good info there! Thanks, Fishy.
Edit: It's good to see you! |
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poppster
Tell the truth and then run.
Premium
join:2003-12-23
Midwest
clubs: | reply to babacher
Wow...I'm glad you caught it early. My father also caught his skin cancer early. So far so good. I wish the best for you.
Hang in there! |
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babacher
sleep apnea sucks
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-28
Greenwood, IN
clubs:
| reply to babacher
Thanks for the well-wishes everybody.
Went to the Derm.'s office this morning and got it taken care of. I had an 8:15 appointment. I arrived at 8:08, and left at 8:20.
I sincerely wish it was that easy for everyone.
--
Help us cure TSC and cancer: Team Discovery |
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lilhurricane
Storm Coming
Premium,Mod
join:2003-01-11
Purple Zone
clubs:
·Comcast
Host:
TV over IP
Software
RCN
Inside Insight
Team Discovery
| said by babacher :Thanks for the well-wishes everybody. Went to the Derm.'s office this morning and got it taken care of. Excellent news, Bruce. |
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bbrcat
Mojo for Stan
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-09
NH
clubs:
| reply to babacher
said by babacher :Thanks for the well-wishes everybody. Went to the Derm.'s office this morning and got it taken care of. I had an 8:15 appointment. I arrived at 8:08, and left at 8:20. I sincerely wish it was that easy for everyone. We take the easy where we can,crunching hard for all,especially those not so fortunate
--
Team
Discovery |
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babacher
sleep apnea sucks
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-28
Greenwood, IN
clubs:
| reply to babacher
Yes indeed.
I just found out this morning that a good friend's mother died from breast cancer a week ago. I truly hope that our efforts here can someday mean that her cancer could be taken care of as easily as mine was.
--
Help us cure TSC and cancer: Team Discovery |
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bbrcat
Mojo for Stan
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-09
NH
clubs:
| said by babacher :Yes indeed. I just found out this morning that a good friend's mother died from breast cancer a week ago. I truly hope that our efforts here can someday mean that her cancer could be taken care of as easily as mine was. Our efforts will pay off someday my friend !
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Team
Discovery |
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Luvfishin
Cancer Sucks
Premium
join:2001-12-06
Canada
clubs: | reply to babacher
I'm late.
Damn cancer.
Keep your chin up and know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mucho Mojo |
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