I’ve been on CC for many years…so many so that all my kids are out of college and two have completed grad/professional school. My baby is in her second year of law school, but this site is still one I visit daily. And for that I am now eternally grateful. A couple of months ago I read a thread that talked about basal cell cancers on the face and how someone had just had something that looked like a little pearl-type growth removed and biopsied. It inspired me to have my dermatologist look at a little pearl-shaped growth on the side of my nose that had been there for awhile and was bleeding, intermittently. It was biopsied, showed basal cells and this morning I underwent three passes of Moh’s surgery to remove the cancer. They finally got clean margins, but I am headed to a plastic surgeon tomorrow because the side of my nostril probably needs a graft. It was wide but not deep. However, had I come in sooner I would probably be avoiding the graft and possible further cosmetic procedures. Thank you to whoever started that earlier thread and to all the great participants here who share their stories. When I lost my dad last month, the wonderful members of the Parents Caring for Parents Support Thread made a huge difference for me, and for the support I found there and the information I have gleaned from so many other threads, I am grateful.
Quick healing, runnersmom! I have had 3 Moh’s surgeries, with the last one on the side of my nose about a year ago. I know these are considered minor surgeries but I hate them! No fun being bandaged up for weeks either. But before you know it no one will even notice it.
Glad to hear this! I just read an article in yesterday’s paper about the enormous increase in BCC and SCC in the population. Glad you got it checked out!
So glad you caught it early enough – cancers are scary and can look pretty innocuous. I too love this site, though both my kids have graduated and currently have no plans for grad or professional school. I find a lot of interesting and helpful info on this Parent Cafe.
Don’t beat yourself up over the basal cell thing.
The visible part can be amazingly small, but the abnormal tissue underneath can be much more widespread. I had one much like yours. Just a tiny little thing on top that bled occasionally, with a much bigger mess underneath. Even the dermatologist thought it was “probably nothing” until the biopsy results came back.
By the way, I’m also here often even though my kids have long since graduated. (I do have one in graduate business school, though, but she’s 25.)
Glad you caught it, but sorry it was bigger than expected.
Glad you caught it when you did.
I come to CC with questions and have found this community to be very helpful. Even DH asks if I’ve checked with CC when we need information on something, and he’s never been on this forum. My oldest got his PhD 6 months ago, and youngest graduated college 3 years ago, but I’m still here.
Yes, I am very happy that it was not deep because that would have created another set of issues. This was my second experience with Moh’s surgery and I must say the procedure on my leg was much less uncomfortable. I went to a different practice for this procedure because it was on my face and I couldn’t have been more pleased. This doctor was recommended by a cardiologist friend of mine and she was terrific. She actually texted two plastics guys who take my insurance because their offices were closed for the holiday today. One is now seeing me tomorrow afternoon. So, as she recommended I’m taking it easy today and we’ll see what tomorrow brings.
My “baby” is 25 and my eldest just turned 30…I think I’ve been on CC since my middle guy was a senior in high school - almost 10 years now!
My 3 have all graduated too and here I still am.
I believe I may have started before S started college. He matriculated 2006. I still find this a great place to get diverse, informed opinions about a range of subjects. Thanks to all who contribute and make this forum the vibrant place it is!
Glad you caught it early! Did you have a regular biopsy before the mohs? I always wonder about this as my dermatologist doesn’t do mohs and I’ve had biopsies that have let a scar.
Glad you caught this early, runnersmom.
My youngest just started college this year. I can sincerely say that I am very glad a lot of folks have stuck around long past their own kids college years. A lot of you have given some very good advice over the years.
What’s not to love about CC? I only come to the Parent Cafe, since sons are 30 and 25 and both in grad school. I love it here. All of you are my friends!
I’m so happy that you happened to read that thread and all is well! I am a fairly new, but love all the non college discussions. It’s a nice forum. Healing thoughts your way.
runnersmom, glad you caught that.
One need only look at my post count to see how much time I spend on here.
DS graduated over four years ago and I’m still here! I started when he was a junior in high school and like so many others was searching for info on NMF cut-offs. These forums are my life line; the Weight Loss for Dummies thread was my inspiration to lose a lot of weight. A couple of years ago, DS told me I didn’t need to specify “College Confidential” when saying that I read something on a message thread; it was implied.
It’s been over 15 years for me, all the kids are out of undergrad and grad school! I still read the cafe and try to pay it forward on the grad school forums
I must admit that within minutes of hearing that my youngest got into her grad program, I thought to myself “Good, now I have an excuse to stay on CC.”
Except I just hang out in the cafe. I’ve been here longer than my data shows. I first found this site in about 1998 or 1999.
Jym, yes my regular dermatologist did the biopsy and when I got the path report decided to find someone else to do the Moh’s. She (my original doc) does not do Moh’s and the woman in her office who did my leg had left. My original derm understood completely and even gave me referrals herself. Given I am dealing with my face, I sought recommendations from my trusted friend and am very happy with his referral.
@jym, yes you would have to have a biopsy first to determine whether it was BCC and suitable for Mohs. you do NOT want to do Mohs on a melanoma for instance.