A few weeks ago I had a biopsy taken on my forehead of a mole that had come back from a previously excised mole that was confirmed basal cell carcinoma. Today I got the results, and it is indeed positive once more. I’ll have to have it removed again, only this time the margins will have to be much bigger. My options as far as the removal here are limited. I can go to Germany and have a Mohs surgeon remove the mole, have one of the general surgeons here, or wait till April for the plastic surgeon. I don’t want to go to Germany. The thing is, this is a reoccurrence, at present, the Mohs surgical removal method is the most effective way to remove all of the cancer cells, but still preserve healthy skin tissue. Yet the thought of going to a base in Germany, stay there a week or possibly more to have the procedure isn’t something I’m keen on doing.
Sigh.
I may wait to decide until I get results for another excision I had on a mole that returned on my back that was very close to the spot I had melanoma in.
Wear sunscreen. Trust me. The damage done to my skin occurred in childhood and during my teen years. I stopped attempting to achieve a golden, sun kissed skin when I was 19, and managed to get a sunburn so bad I landed in the ER. Everyday, I have sunscreen on. Every. Single. Day.
My skin color is pale. I’ve learned to love it.
Here I am being all reflective in Crete. Sunscreen 100 SPF on my body, 110 SPF on my face.
If you’d like to check out other posts I’ve written on my skin cancer experiences, click right here.
Nicole Olea’s love language is communication. She does this best using her keyboard as a freelance copywriter and editor. Creative and resilient with high-level experience in social media management, content creation, and eCommerce marketing, Nicole Olea was a professional volunteer, sharing her skills with various non-profit organizations who paid her in hugs. For the last 20 years, she’s lived a quasi-nomadic life, moving across the country and the Atlantic with her active-duty husband and their three kids. She’s awkwardly stumbling toward her goal of becoming a saint. She’s got God-sized dreams and wants you to have them too!
Thinking Of you Nicole
I’m so sorry.
I am sure it doesn’t help to have advice from someone you don’t know (it’s kind of like a non-parent giving a parent advice, right?) but I’d wait until you get your other results and then GO to Germany.
I am sorry to hear about you diagnosis. My brother-in-law has had several rounds. Thankfully, he’s always caught them early.
I am so sorry honey. What a pain. I am glad they caught it early. I have to admit – I am one of those sun bunnies – always have been. I am fortunate to have olive enough skin that it seems to take it better, though I am starting to show my age a little sooner than I wanted to so I have begun with the SPF myself.
My husband was diagnosed with a spot of basal cell on his forehead last summer. He loves to work in the yard, but never wore sunscreen or a hat, and with our hot AZ sun, that is a no-no. Thank you for the reminder and I hope you do well with your own recovery.
Your skin is absolutely beautiful! I love fair skin.. I too have fairly fair skin and burn easy if I don’t apply sunscreen. I am sorry you are having to deal with this again. Hang in there!
I am so sorry you have to go through this. I couldn’t imagine having to go that far for treatment.
What timing for me to read this post. Wow. I was just thinking I should start tanning again in the tanning bed. I too, am quite fair and I burn before I tan. Thank you for opening my eyes and helping me make the decision to NOT tan. I hope you are able to get this figured out! Hugs girl!
I am so sorry, how scary. Skin cancer has occurred a lot in my family so I am pretty nutty about sunscreen for me and the kids but I have still had moles removed that came back atypical thankfully none have returned.
I’m sorry Nicole. It stinks that choices made so long ago are affecting your life today. You just don’t realize when you’re young what kind of lasting damage can be done. I personally think your skin is amazing! Let us know what you decide.
So sorry to hear this. Hang in there and stay out of the sun as much as possible. Our one neighbor was also diagnosed with skin cancer this past year, yet he refuses to use sunscreen.
Huge hugs Nicole. It’s hard enough to deal with something like this, but so much harder when you have limited options, too. Keep us updated on what you decide.
I am so sorry Nicole. That is scary. My mom has had a few places of skin cancer removed and it is scary. I have learned from her experiences how important sunscreen is for me and my girls. Keep us posted and I will be praying for you!
((Hugs))
So sorry you are having to go through this! I just got a positive diagnosis last week for melanoma and could not imagine having to go countries away for treatment.
It’s all because of our insurance, (as my doctor explained it to me) apparently Tricare (military insurance) was not paying the local Mohs surgeon, and so he/she is understandably not taking any American patients. It’s frustrating to say the least, but I’m trying to look at is as an opportunity to “get away”. 🙂 I’ve had melanoma too and it is scary. Hope everything goes well with you. xxoo
My father survived Melanoma as well. Definitely do not wait too long to decide. I’m sure you will make the best decision. Best of luck to you!
I hear nothing but amazing things about the doctors in Germany. That’s where all the talent is! So sorry to hear about this reoccurrence. My sister has gone through the this as well. Hopes for good news soon:)
I’m sorry this is happening to you again!!
Nicole, I’m so sorry to hear about these results. I wish you well and for speedy treatment x
You’re a brave woman Nicole. I’m sorry to hear you are going through this. Please let me know how I can help.