Lizzie60 Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Has anyone had skin cancer? I think I do... I saw my doctor, she referred my to a dermatologist... but the thing is...my appointment is next April... I am going crazy with this... From my research on the net...it would be Basal Cell Carcinoma.. the most common type... It is slowly spreading in the back of my neck (thank God).. my hair covers it... it's ugly... it is unbelievably itchy.. I only sleep a few hours each night.. it wakes me up... it also burns a little bit. What a bummer! Link to post Share on other sites
Lostgurl Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 awww Lizzie, that's terrible news. But your not positive that is what it is yet right? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it's something less serious than cancer! How the heck is it that you can't get an appointment until april!?!? Have you pushed to bump the appointment up? That's outrageous. If i were you, I'd be raising hell, fighting to get my appointment bumped up sooner. It's serious and should be treated that way by the doctors. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Lizzie60 Posted October 13, 2007 Author Share Posted October 13, 2007 awww Lizzie, that's terrible news. But your not positive that is what it is yet right? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it's something less serious than cancer! How the heck is it that you can't get an appointment until april!?!? Have you pushed to bump the appointment up? That's outrageous. If i were you, I'd be raising hell, fighting to get my appointment bumped up sooner. It's serious and should be treated that way by the doctors. No I'm not positive that's it.. but quite certain.. according to what I read and the pictures.. eewwwww... but it's a very common type of cancer and has no metastases (sp) so it doesn't spread to vital organs... I will see my doctor next month.. so I will try to have her speed up things.. but our health system is rotten... In the meantime I wish I could find some kind of cream that would relieve the itching.. it drives me insane.. and when I scratch myself I just can't stop...then it burns like crazy. It looks like a patch of skin has been burnt.. it's a very dark red and thick and has a rubber feel with 'bumpy lines' in it.. weird... Freaken skin! Thanks for the thought... you're sweet... Link to post Share on other sites
melodymatters Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Holy Shyte ! I heard there were long waits in Canada for health care, but six months for possible cancer ?? Can you come down to the states and self pay, just to find out one way or another ? Link to post Share on other sites
coco_milkshake Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Next April?!?!?!?! Bloody hell..I would be throwing a hissy fit to get my appointment sooner if I knew I have a cancer scare. Put your foot down Lizzie and dont stop until you get that much needed appointment. Good luck to you and keep us posted. *hugs* Link to post Share on other sites
Author Lizzie60 Posted October 13, 2007 Author Share Posted October 13, 2007 i will ask my doctor next month or maybe I'll check with some private clinics to see if I can get some kind of test.. I don't mind paying for it.. and hopefully the system will reimburse later... I have to check... The thing is I wouldn't mind the wait so much if it wasn't so freaken itchy... it completely drives me insane and I can't sleep much... I've had this for about 2-3 months now.. I thought it was just a rash and it would go away but it seems to want to spread now... and it's getting itchier ... *****!... Thanks for caring... I'm out now... will be back later maybe... I have a date with my two best friends..... a girls' night out... and lots of 'chatting' touroulou... Link to post Share on other sites
Lostgurl Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 No I'm not positive that's it.. but quite certain.. according to what I read and the pictures.. eewwwww... but it's a very common type of cancer and has no metastases (sp) so it doesn't spread to vital organs... I will see my doctor next month.. so I will try to have her speed up things.. but our health system is rotten... In the meantime I wish I could find some kind of cream that would relieve the itching.. it drives me insane.. and when I scratch myself I just can't stop...then it burns like crazy. It looks like a patch of skin has been burnt.. it's a very dark red and thick and has a rubber feel with 'bumpy lines' in it.. weird... Freaken skin! Thanks for the thought... you're sweet... Aww Lizzie, that really sounds worrisome. I know what you mean about healthcare here, it's the shytes. I heard it is even worse in Ont. than it is here, I find that hard to imagine. Is there any way that you could wait for a cancellation with your doctor? A month still seems like a long wait for something like this. Or maybe see another doctor as a walk in? I'd go talk to a pharmasist to see what you can use to relieve the itching. The only things i can think of right now are calamine lotion, or gold bond lotion. Gold Bond helps itching, but it might make the stinging worse. So i don't think i'd risk trying that. Keep us posted, and try to get your appointment bumped up! Link to post Share on other sites
Ariadne Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Oh no! So sorry to hear. Don't go crazy thinking you have cancer until they actually tell you, no need to get ahead of yourself there. Maybe is something else, who knows. But yes, make sure to have it checked immediately. Go stalk some dermatologist if you have to. Just push for it "now". My father had skin cancer and had it removed, and is ok now 10 years later. (But had to have some lymph nodes removed as well) Best of luck!!!!!!!! Ariadne Link to post Share on other sites
Kasan Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 My dad has had several skin cancers on his ear and nose...he didn't have to wait 6 months for an appointment though. They cut out the tumors (small) and everything is fine--hardly any scarring at all. Not noticeable at all. You must have the nordic look Lizzie, fair skin people have less melatonin (sp?) in their skin so they have more issues with skin cancer. I am worried for myself down the road--as I used to like to bake in the sun when I was younger. Maybe my freckles will save me. Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby NoBrains Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 So sorry to hear about this. Please try to speed up the doctor's appointment so you can be diagnosed early. With cancer, early diagnoses is extremely important and could make the difference between life and death, literally. Good luck and God bless. Just my two bits .. Bobby Link to post Share on other sites
directx Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Lizzie, you are NOT waiting any longer than necessary to get this looked at! That's ridiculous. When I had a skin issue, my dermatologist diagnosed in less than a minute just by looking at it. Figure something out please! If you cannot get it done where you are, it would be worth the trip here the US or where ever. Come on! You know better! Link to post Share on other sites
stillafool Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Oh Lizzie I'm so sorry and will pray that it is not cancer. In the meantime, put some oatmeal in a bowl and add some water. Stir it up, and drain off the oatmeal water into another bowl. Soak pieces of cloth in the oatmeal water and apply to your neck. Keep doing this over and over and you should get some immediate relief. Also you can try putting an ice bag on it to relieve the inflammation but I'm pretty sure the oatmeal water will calm it down for you. Link to post Share on other sites
woodsfield Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 that sucks, lizzie. appointment in april is ludicrous. whenever you see someone, i hope the diagnosis is a good one. i'll be thinking and praying and pulling for ya! Link to post Share on other sites
Kasan Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Lizzie, Are you sure that you have skin cancer? The reason I ask is my father's never itched. Could you have contact dermatitis? The skin irritation would be cause by wearing jewelry. I can only wear gold. You might want to try a hydra cortisone cream. If it is contact dermatitis that will take care of the itching. Link to post Share on other sites
Kamille Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 April? did they at least do a - what's it called - you know that thing where they take a little bit of skin and test to see if it is cancerigène? You live in Ontario right? The waiting time strikes me as incredibly odd. I went through the same thing last year, in Ontario (Toronto), and only had to wait two weeks for my appointment with the dermatologist. And it turned out to be nothing. Let us know how things go once you talk to your doctor. Also, try to figure out why your doctor recommended that perticular dermatologists. Surely there are other dermatologists in your area that could give you a meeting sooner then April. Link to post Share on other sites
Sweetcheripie Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Wow! That is a LONG time to wait. I have heard there a private clinics in Canada (for plastic surgery at least) that are quite reasonable. Can you at least get a biopsy? I would not wait even a month! If the health system allows, can you go to the Emergency Room for the itching? Maybe the ER doc would do a biopsy for you? It is serious - and the itching only reminds you that there may be a cancer there. I'm so sorry, how very frustrating. But try to get some more help, don't just let this go. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Lizzie60 Posted October 14, 2007 Author Share Posted October 14, 2007 Lizzie, Are you sure that you have skin cancer? The reason I ask is my father's never itched. Could you have contact dermatitis? The skin irritation would be cause by wearing jewelry. I can only wear gold. You might want to try a hydra cortisone cream. If it is contact dermatitis that will take care of the itching. You know... I think you're right... I did some research on the Internet about dermatitis... now I think that's it... I have a cortisone cream that I've been using for a while now.. but it doesn't seem to do much... I will try to get an appointment sooner... and like Lostgurl... I might just ask the pharmacist, they do know more about medication and creams than doctor do... I have more faith in the pharmacist than a GP. Thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites
Sweetcheripie Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Hey one more thought....could it be psoriasis? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Lizzie60 Posted October 14, 2007 Author Share Posted October 14, 2007 I don't think so... I remember my father had psoriasis... it wasn't quite like that. I think it could be dermatitis... Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Basal Cell Carcinoma can crust over and bleed.. it also can itch while healing.. but it takes forever to heal.. the bleeding and crusting over is normally when they are a bit older in age and not new The good thing about it that it doesn't normally metastasize and once removed normally doesn't reoccur.. although another tumor can reoccur around in in the same area but not in all cases.. Lizzie.. get your butt to a dermatologist stat.. you don't need this thing spreading where they have to remove your skin instead of freezing it off... I know you have government health care but if I were you I would pony up the money myself at least for the diagnostic portion and go to a doctor. Chin up.. with prompt attention you will be okay.... My Mom has had a Basal Cell Carcinoma removed from her shoulder before when she was about your age and she hasn't had another since..( almost 20 years ) They froze hers off Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 By the way.. Did your Dr. tell you you might have Basal Cell Carcinoma? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Lizzie60 Posted October 14, 2007 Author Share Posted October 14, 2007 By the way.. Did your Dr. tell you you might have Basal Cell Carcinoma? No she didn't know what it was... it does look weird... (good thing it's not in the middle of my forehead LOL)... I checked the Internet and found a picture of BCC and it looked very much like what I have.. so I thought it could be that... But Kasan told me about dermatitis... I checked that and it also looks like that... so I'm not sure what it is... but my gut feeling is dermatitis... I'll check it out... I will call my doctor tomorrow... or go to a private clinic.. I don't mind paying, it is just driving me insane...with the itching and the burning. Thanks for caring. Link to post Share on other sites
Kasan Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 You know... I think you're right... I did some research on the Internet about dermatitis... now I think that's it... I have a cortisone cream that I've been using for a while now.. but it doesn't seem to do much... When my contact dermatitis flares up, I find that the over the counter stuff just isn't strong enough to stop the itching and heal it. I have a prescription creme that knocks it down overnight. You doctor should be able to diagnose this-- Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
marlena Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I don't know if this will be of any help but I'll pitch in my two cents! Both my father and grandfather had skin cancer. My father also had eczema! So do I but only when I am under severe stress does it break out especially around my hairline. The ointment that kills it on the spot is in my country called "Celestoderm with garamycin!" As for my father's cancer, it was on the lips. He was operated on and lived a good thirty years after! Yes, it did leave a bit of a scar but baely noticeable. My father had on the rim of his ears. He had chemotherapy (back in the seventies) and helived to be 97!!! Honestly though, you need to get a clear diagnosis! Can you not resort to a private doctor? Link to post Share on other sites
marlena Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 My father had on the rim of his ears. He had chemotherapy (back in the seventies) and helived to be 97!!! Sorry, Lizzie. I meant my grandfather. I really need to stop being so sloppy with my posts! Link to post Share on other sites
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