John and I each had an appointment with the same dermatologist on Friday last. That came about because my doctor had referred me to one whom I was to have seen on August 10th. When John's doctor referred him to a specialist and couldn't get him in until some time in November, John mentioned that my doctor managed to get me in rather quickly (I had seen my doctor on June 28th).
So, John's doctor called the specialist that I was to see and managed to get both of us in on September 1st (delaying my previously booked August 10th appointment).
The reason for my referral was because I had two moles on my right hip that had caused me concern and my doctor didn't want to take any chances (my mother died of melanoma).
I had also developed a spot on my nose that was reminiscent of something my mother had experienced. Not quite a pimple, but certainly not a mole, there was a spot on my nose that cyclically popped up and bled for several days. And then it went away again. I remember my mother having a similar irritant; we used to call it her period.
Anyway, back to the visit on Friday with the dermatologist.
We both went into the inner sanctum together, figuring we may as well be present for each other's examination -- it would save us telling each other what went on later.
I went first.
She very quickly dismissed the moles on my right hip as being of no concern. Phew!
Then she checked the spot on my nose, explaining that the fact that it kept coming back was very suggestive of a cancer.
But, most likely it would be basal cell carcinoma, the "friendly cancer," as she called it.
And she explained that it would be the result of sun exposure from when I was way too young to have known of the danger. Given my fair skin and my colouring, I was a sitting duck for skin cancer.
I assured her she was right about my sun exposure as a child.
See the white blob on my nose in the above photo, taken on my second birthday? Even then, my nose was seriously burned enough to need protection.
'Twas ever thus!
The dermatologist took a biopsy of my left nose.
I'm now sporting a nose minus a significant chunk, and I have to keep it protected with ointment and a bandaid for up to two weeks.
What fun!
The results of the biopsy, which I will learn on the 29th of September, will determine the course of treatment. The doctor has warned me to anticipate the need for surgery (worse case scenario).
John didn't get off quite as easily as I though.
His file included a biopsy report from previous treatment (he has a history of basal cell carcinoma but his previous dermatologist retired). That report indicated that he now has squamous basal cell carcinoma which means it is a little more aggressive so he does need surgery. It is being booked for a date post November 15th (he needs his hunting time). Biopsies were also taken from three spots on the left side of his face, results of which we will learn on the 29th of September.
The dermatologist we saw will also do the surgery -- the procedure is called "MOHS surgery" and she is the only surgeon in Ottawa who performs it.
Again I marvel at my doctor's attention to my health care. It was he who referred me to her. And she is a gem! Had I not been going to see her, John would have seen someone else.
Funny how these things happen, isn't it?
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