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Original poster

DH has skin cancer

60 replies

GingerBearingGifts · 14/12/2005 22:02

He went for appt with dermatologist tonight and has a mole on his face that is cancerous. We are both in shock. I haven't the first idea what happens now. He has to have an operation asap.

OP posts:
katymacracker · 14/12/2005 22:06

DH had a mole on his side that was precancerous

It was removed and he has no further treatment (but they took quite a lump out of him - it was his side below his ribs and they took about a walnut sized bit)

Of course this doesn't help you much as it is so different - but I was trying to be reassuring...even if i wasn't

Blossomgoodwill · 14/12/2005 22:06

So sorry to hear this gingerbear . Really hope it all goes well. (hugs)

BudaBabeInAManger · 14/12/2005 22:06

Gosh - sounds scary. Fingers crossed for you both.

crimbocrazydazy · 14/12/2005 22:08

Oh no poor you and DH Gingerbread.....I would be beside myself with worry

Hope you are okay.

WigWamBam · 14/12/2005 22:09

Oh gosh, so sorry to hear this. Are you OK?

RTKangaSantaMummy · 14/12/2005 22:10

Crumbs I don't know what to say but wanted to post hugs to you both {{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}

MistleToo · 14/12/2005 22:10

I'm shocked ginger - I'm sure and sincerely hope you get a positive outcome

NoRoosmumAtTheInn · 14/12/2005 22:10

so sorry to hear this ginger, hope it gets sorted quickly.

MistletAero · 14/12/2005 22:12

Sorry to hear this GB.

moondog · 14/12/2005 22:13

Ginger,so sorry to hear this.
Have you had more information and a prognosis of some sort?
Skin cancer can be very serious or quite simply the simple removal of a growth.
Bloody hell......

katymacracker · 14/12/2005 22:13

Did they say what type?

I found this
More than 60,000 people in the UK are diagnosed each year with non-melanoma skin cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer of the cells at the bottom of the skin?s outermost layer, the epidermis (see diagram). It accounts for more than three-quarters of all skin cancers in the UK. Most basal cell carcinomas are slow-growing and almost never spread. However, if they are left untreated they can erode the skin and cause an ulcer, known as a rodent ulcer. A small number of rodent ulcers come back on the same area of skin after treatment: this is known as a local recurrence.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer of the outermost cells of the skin. It is the second most common type of skin cancer in the UK. One in five skin cancers (20%) are this type. If it is left untreated for a long time, squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body. However, most people treated for squamous cell carcinoma are completely cured with simple treatment.

JESSnutsRoastinOnAnOpenFire · 14/12/2005 22:15

Someone I know had a malginant melanoma a good few years ago now. She has to go for occasional check ups still but she is fine.

Sending love and luck and ~~~~~good vibes~~~~~~

SJ x

katymacracker · 14/12/2005 22:15

I also found this (not sure how old he is)

Lentigo maligna melanoma is most commonly found on the face, particularly in older people. It grows slowly and may take several years to develop.

MIstletAOU · 14/12/2005 22:19

Gingerbear,

When they say they will operate asap, will they do it before Christmas?

I'm so sorry, I can understand that it must be a terrible shock.

Socci · 14/12/2005 22:20

Message withdrawn

FauveGoldRings · 14/12/2005 22:20

Gingerbear, my sister has had two pre-cancerous moles removed, one many, many years ago, and she is fine. What a bad time of year to have the worry, though - I am sorry.

bauble99 · 14/12/2005 22:20

Oh Gingerbear. XXX I'm not sure what to say. XXX

NewBethlehemGirlwithsparkles · 14/12/2005 22:21

So sorry to hear this GB.

I hope everything goes well.

x Nbg

winterWOMBAland · 14/12/2005 22:22

Gingerbear, my dh has skin cancer too. Well, he hasn't had any recurrences for almost a year but he has 3 monthly checks and i have to keep an eye on changes with moles on his back etc...
He's had lumps removed from his shoulder, shin, arm and back... and apart from being uncomfortable and slightly tender for a few days, he has the smallest of scars. Mind you, in my experience, men seem to think it's quite cool to be scarred... makes them look tough apparently!!
It's easy to say but please don't worry. I'm the worlds worst worrier and in my mind, if anything can go wrong, it will. But, i dealt with dh's cancer by telling myself that because it was on the surface, it could be seen and dealt with faster. I hope that makes sense... and 7 years after dh's first diagnosis and op, he's doing great and the only gripe he has, is that in the summer months he has to keep covered up!
Thinking of you x

Original poster
GingerBearingGifts · 14/12/2005 22:30

Thank you all for your good wishes. DH didn't say if the dermatologist said what type it was. Or the degree of treatment that may be required. He was probably in shock and didn't take it all in. I just hope to God that if it is melanoma, that it has been caught early and they can remove it all in one go.
Thanks Womba, your post has been a relief. I hope your DH continues to be healthy.

He has gone to the pub now to talk 'shop' with his boxing mate. Hope it takes his mind off it for a while.

OP posts:
Original poster
GingerBearingGifts · 15/12/2005 12:34

He is going in for the operation tommorrow. They have to test it to see what type cancerous cellas are and may need to take away a wider area on his cheek.

OP posts:
SackAche · 15/12/2005 12:37

GB - So sorry about this BUT... DH's Mum had a cancerous mole on her face. She'd had the mole for years, but for 6 months or so it was weeping. Whilst in for a nose operation the surgeon decided to do a biopsy on it and it was malignant melinoma! She had it removed the next month and has never had any other treatment as far as know. HTH.

walkinginawinterBundleland · 15/12/2005 12:37

gingerbear, I know someone who has had lots of treatment for skin cancer and if your dh wanted to get in touch with him, I'm sure he'd be happy to help, when the time is right.

Glitterygook · 15/12/2005 12:40

Gosh GB - so sorry to hear this and I really hope all is OK.

xxx

Original poster
GingerBearingGifts · 15/12/2005 12:41

Bundle, thank you for the offer. I will let him know.
Sackache, thank you. It is good to hear encouraging stories. DH's mole was similar to your MIL, had a small dark mole for years, and it has rececntly become crusty and weeping from time to time.

OP posts: