Cancer Support

For a number of months it was just an annoying red mark that refused to disappear. Sometimes it would flare up angry red then sputter out to a pale splotch. Right before I went to the dermatologist, the area became really nasty. Looked as if someone had put out a cigarette on my face.

Ultimately I had it removed with Mohs surgery, as well as a basal cell growth on the ridge of my left ear.

That was five years ago. Though I've had two additional skin cancers since (one basal cell, one melanoma) I've had no recurrence in the original areas.

The Mohs surgery is very good and you have the results the day of the procedure. They'll shave the area down until the margins are clear and clean, and then stitch you up. There's little pain other than the numbing agents. After the first or second needle, you don't feel the rest.

Good to have these nasties treated early. For my own part, I think I'm paying the price of having spent most of childhood on the Jersey shore. The sun will have its revenge.