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Posted 3/1/2013 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Had skin cancer removed this morning, Squamous cell on left calf , removed two layers and that got it all

15 stitches, Back in two weeks Doc says 95% Chance it will not return to same spot, but will show up again in another area sometime, says once you get it, it will return , about two hours in office. Another routine exam in July . Says to keep elevated and stay off for two weeks and no heavy exercise. Only routine walking, 4 to 6 weeks to heal. Does it really take that long ? Guess do my thing after that heavy exercise , running , weight lifting , outdoor sports , does that sound reasonable ?

How do I find my last chat, less than two months ? Thanks for support Al
Posted 3/1/2013 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Al, sorry to hear about your skin cancer but glad that the doctor is confident he "got it all". I have a 3 inch scar on my right collarbone from basal cell cancer that was removed several years ago. Unfortunately, I had it for many years but never thought anything of it since it was right under the bra strap and I thought it was irritation from the fabric. Oh well, now I go every year for a full body check by a dermatologist.

My guess is that you have to staff off that leg due to the depth of the incision (2 layers of skin). Follow the doctor's advice and you should be fine. I will likely have another basal cell at some point but for now, it's been 7 or 8 years since the surgery and haven't had any problems. My husband, though, had 3 small basal cell cancers removed from his chest and arm. Unfortunately, skin cancer is very common and often overlooked. Keep up with regular check-ups to ensure that you catch things early when they can be easily cured.
Posted 3/1/2013 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Al,

I'm sure you'll be fine -- though waiting to get 15 stitches out is no fun. I expect though that the dermatologists will now want you in for a routine checkup every year or so. I had a melanoma removed 28 years ago with no further complications. Though I figure my role in life now is to train a new crop of dermatology residents and 4th year medical students every year when I'm summoned for my annual hide inspection.
Posted 3/1/2013 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
sorry you had to go through that. Bet that didn't feel good but it's a good thing the doc got it all.

That does sound like a deep incision so yes, it will take awhile to heal up.

Take it easy and let your body heal. You'll be back to all your normal stuff before you know it and this will just be a bad memory (and an impressive scar).

All the best,
Andrew
Posted 3/1/2013 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
and if you click on your name in your post you'll be taken to a page that shows your last 10 posts.

other than that, it's up to the search bar to get more.
Posted 3/1/2013 9:58 AM (GMT 0)
My husband had a squamous cell taken from the back of his hand a week before his radical prostatectomy. There were about 5 stitches. The margins were clean, it has healed well. He has to visit the dermatologist every year for a full checkup because once you get one you have a greater likelihood of getting another.

An
Posted 3/1/2013 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
I now see a dermatologist every six months.

Both siblings and father have had some bad spots removed. I've had a "suspicious" removed last month that ended up being OK.

OH the joys of getting old turn
Posted 3/1/2013 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah I'm another one. Nothing truly nasty found yet, but family history of problems with moles etc, so a few brown bits have been removed from chest and back. (and it leaves scars that itch and ache and swell up, even when cutting and stitching done by a plastic surgeon. So I think with a scar with 15 stitches in it you want to look after it to let it heal up nicely.)
I'v been seeing my dermatologist every six months since 1997, when I was 36. Last visit she also recommended I take a bit of Vit D to compensate for staying out of the sun after seeing that my latest Vit D blood test was right on the bottom of the "healthy" range. I just take over the counter tablets.

Hope all others with "difficult" skin stay problem free.

Alf
Posted 3/1/2013 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of your responses, it really helps to have someone in your corner and hear the experiences you had.. was on my leg running errands today and shouldn't have done that. Guess I will learn. How deep is two layers for 15 stitiches I thought would only be maybe 4 or 5. You have no idea whats going on when you can't see what there doing. They deaden the area 4 times. Do I really have to be off of leg for two weeks. Taking antibotics 3 times a day for 5 days. well I guess better go. Thanks again Al
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