Test Results

[susandennis]

My Chart pinged me with the biopsy results this morning. Doctor to Doctor speak is just so amazingly complex but I got the gist basal cell carcinoma. I read this on the bus on the way to the pool. By the time I got out and was on the way home, the tiny doctor had chimed in:

Comments from the Doctor's Office

Hi Susan, The pathology from last week did show a basal cell carcinoma as I expected. We discussed that given the size of it the biopsy only took a sample. It would need a surgical procedure for complete removal. I know you were reluctant to undergo a larger procedure and it is your choice, though this may become larger and more bothersome if it is left. We will call to discuss whether you would like to have the remainder removed.

Erin Moore

I very much appreciate her "it's your decision" tone. It sounds like to me that a very viable option is to wait until the spot get bigger and then revisit. If that's the case, that's the option I think I'll pick. We'll see when she calls.

This is why I do not do tests. I don't do mammograms or colonoscopies or heart stuff... once you do tests, then you have to deal with the results. If you don't do tests, you got nothing to deal with - the land of denial is my happy place.

I slept like a friggin rock last night. I was really really sleepy and ended up turning the lights out just before 9. I did not wake up once until 5 am. That's some solid sleeping. I usually get up a couple of times to pee. Not last night. I hit the ground when I did wake up and got suited up and out the door without feeding Biggie.

Turns out I could have/should have. I need to get out of this feeling that I MUST get the 5:53 bus (there's one at 6:08) and I do NOT need to get there by 5:40. Geesh, me. Get a grip.

The pool had people in it but wasn't crowded. Today marks 7 days in a row that I've gotten to swim. It's such a joy. So many different things could end it again so I've decided not to worry about it and just enjoy every swim I get. So far, so good.

I'm thinking about getting my hair cut. By a real hair cutting person. Nothing fancy, just really evening it out - especially in the back. I've been cutting my own hair since about 2017. It really looks like it, too. No big deal. It just might be fun to get a real hair cut. I'm talking Great Clips, not a salon.

There's one near the cat food place that's near the Dollar Tree and I want to go to both those places. So maybe. Also maybe today. Maybe tomorrow.

I really have no plans for today. One of the great benefits of swimming is that it kind of anchors my day and gives me the freedom to do nothing else if that's what I want. I swam a mile this morning, I've done my duty to the day.  Right now, I need go hang up my wet swimsuit and think about what's next.

Comments

[carriea31]

Hi there, I just created this account and added you. Hopefully I did it correctly!
Not sure where your spot is...but my sis just had a basal spot removed from her nose, and after the suture removal it was easy and not complicated.

[susandennis]

You added me exactly correctly and I added you. WELCOME!!

My spot is right in the very middle of back at the waist. If it were on my face OR somewhere that was otherwise problematic, I'd be more inclined to take action. And I still might (take action), maybe :)

[carriea31]

Oh good, I'm glad I did it correctly!

I see. Yes, that might be less of a necessary spot to get surgery on. I think if it were me, I'd do it, only because it would freak me out knowing it was back there and I couldn't see it, but I totally understand if you might not want to do it.

[(Anonymous)]

basal cell carcinoma is not very aggressive. In most cases, it is cured.
Sorry for interfering with your comment.

[susandennis]

Hey, whoever. You didn't interfere at all! And yes, the non aggressive part is what I'm counting on :)

[(Anonymous)]

dtomdtom I wrote about basal cell carcinoma. please be treated and everything will be fine!

[susandennis]

❤️

[(Anonymous)]

dtomdtom this is from livejournal. I wrote that this type of cancer is not aggressive.
I do not know English, I translate by Google)

[susandennis]

Yeah! for Google translate. Thank you

[fauxklore]

There may also be options for laser surgery, cryosurgery, or topical drugs to treat basal cell carcinoma.

[zoefruitcake]

I agree, I would rather not know

[cdayzee]

Getting notified of results always gives me anxiety. My experience with drs lately has been similar to this dr's stance of 'patient-led care', or as I call it 'a hands-off or laissez-faire attitude'. I guess I'm more used to relying on the dr vs myself because I'll decline almost everything.

I had to have a mole on my scalp 'scooped out' following a biopsy many years ago. I've had various other moles & skin anomalies removed. I ended up going to a different dermatologist because the first one was wanting to carve on me some more & evidently I have an unpleasant reaction to lidocaine as I've passed out in the shower twice following 2 different mole removals. So I wasn't too keen on wanting to continue down that path. The 2nd derm was much more reassuring. I understand the aggressive stance but if something can wait, I'm more likely to opt for that. My reasons also include having adverse reactions to anesthesia.

The other night I slept so well that when I woke up I didn't know who or where I was for a minute! lol It was nice to get some rest as the previous 2 nights my body did not want to sleep.

[desdemonaspace]

I'm glad it's only basal cell carcinoma. My friend had one on her upper lip removed, and two weeks later you can't tell she had it. Seems like a pretty common thing to get, and easy to fix.

If you don't mind my saying so, I do recommend getting a mammo. I had breast cancer and I'm here to tell ya, early detection is your friend. Please don't mind me throwing that out for your consideration.

[susandennis]

I don't mind your saying so but it's not going to happen. I am fully aware of the ramifications and for me it is the way to go. I'm glad you got what works for you.

[adafrog]

yayswimmimg!

[msconduct]

NZ has the second highest skin cancer rate in the world and pretty much everyone I know has had more than one BCC taken off. (Not me, I've been using sunblock religiously since my teens, although I'm still at high melanoma risk because of burns at the beach as a kid.) As I'm sure you already know, the odds are small that it will turn into anything nasty, but since you said it was already annoying, it seems like a good idea to get rid of it before it gets bigger and the consequent wound recovery a bit less pleasant. My 2c.

[dandylover1]

I couldn't imagine getting up that early, let alone going out then. I can't wait until we open our pool, but that won't be until the end of May or the beginning of June. I'm not sure what you mean by a real haircut. The idea of having my hair cut by someone who isn't a professional is definitely not one I would wish to entertain.