Grief--10 more pre-cancerous lesions

[Sooner Steve]

Keep the positive attitude Saint.  We're all pulling for you. 

[buddha]

I'm pulling for you, Saint. Having been down Basal Cell Boulevard myself all I can say is that it only took the one time for me to make hats a considered part of my wardrobe. I've gone the cheap route on the sunscreen, as well. I get the greasy waterproof Coppertone 70 and apply it often.

Have you considered using an electric during the time of healing. I have a couple, Braun and Panasonic, that I use when I have cuts that I don't want to re-open. Maybe one o' them Conair CleanHeads that people are talking about. Minor investment, I guess, I heard that they are around $35 from Wally's.

[herronm]

Saint, I'm right there with you.  I have them removed twice a year and use chemo therapy cream in between.  Stay on top of these lesions.  You are doing the right thing.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

I really appreciate the support guys.  But I'm not worried about the lesions--they're Ivory Soap harmless, I am worried about not being able to keep the dome cleanly shaven for a week or so after they're frozen off--and what I'll look like, red raw areas on the dome and face, swelling, having to wear a hat, looking like I've been mugged--it's a total vanity issue for me now.  I know that sounds stupid, it's just me.  I'm also concerned that from here on out I'm going to be a lot brighter, shine wise. To get myself used to this and to minimize future occurances, I've decided to start the 70spf Neutrogena sunscreen [formerly I used 30spf--sunny days only]  today as a daily part of my routine whether or not it's sunny--just to get everybody ready for the new edition "Lightbulb" Saint .  I'm getting dressed to go to the office, and it's bright, clear--people are going to notice me shining like a silver ball.  Ladies might like it though, they can check their makeup on my dome .  No one, absolutely no one is going to be able to ignore my presence from here on out unless they're visually impaired.

[xnewyawka]

You've got a great attitude saint. Good to hear the lesions are not going to be a problem.   

Hopefully this will make our guys think twice before going out into the sun, myself included.
I have been a bit lax on my sun protection, and I have noticed some brown spots on my scalp that were not there before.
Can you give an idea what these lesions look like, so we can be more aware of what to look for?

Much appreciated, and hang in there!   

Hey, look at it this way, you can milk the sympathy you'll get from the ladies, right?  lol.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Hey, look at it this way, you can milk the sympathy you'll get from the ladies, right?  lol.

Not much of a leg man there I guess

The spots look more like spots of sebaceous dermatitis, funny looking off color skin, but not elevated, they aren't irritated and don't bleed when i shave over them.  They don't flake really, but I use a loofa pad every day on the scalp and face anyway so I wouldn't notice.  Had some a couple of years back around the outer corner of my eye, John froze those off.  Looked like I'd taken a pretty good punch and the eye was almost closed for a day or so.  I'm thinking of staying home and working from there Thursday and Friday.  The boss has approved.  I really, really don't want to wander around downtown in the office building w/ a hat, or looking like I've been banged up in a mugging. 

I found this description today in a website on skin cancer:
"is a scaly or crusty growth (lesion). It most often appears on the bald scalp, face, ears, lips, backs of the hands and forearms, shoulders, neck or any other areas of the body frequently exposed to the sun. You’ll most often see the plural, “keratoses,” because there is seldom just one."  You guys will all recognize "bald scalp". 

The exposure to the sun was through the combover--yet another reason for guys to get sly to the bone so you can use sunscreen--can't do it easily w/ hair, no matter how this.  Today's my first day using the 70spf by Neutrogena, and it sucks, it is greasy, and I have napkins for my hands after I rub my head--bummer.  Really need to find a Dry Banana Boat style at high spf.

[tomgallagher]

Hope you get squared away before Fat Tuesday Saint.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Hope you get squared away before Fat Tuesday Saint.

Doing it two days after Mardi Gras--I'm going to be gleaming, costume ready, except I need to find a source for temporary fleur de lis tatoos in New Orleans--got to be all the way. 

[tomgallagher]

LOL...Let the good times roll brother.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Damn, got myself psyched up to have the lesions frozen this morning, get to the Dr.'s office and he's canceled today's appointments at the last minute .  Now it's 3/9.  I was prepared to go for 4-7 days w/o a blade shave--planning to 0 guard it w/ the clipper around the areas that will be swollen and tender.  Oh, well, at least it's not a critical problem, just preventive maintenance.  Some of the internet pictures I've seen of the procedure and results fully reminded me of how I'll look for a couple of days . 

[Magoo]

Saintc , sounds like this will work out just fine. I had a melanoma cut out of the edge of my ear in Dec. They say it shoud be 98% cured,it was caught early. It was the size and look of a large freckle. I think it was a freckle that had changed. I have also had actinic keratoses removed both by freezing and chemically from my face.I make sure I wear a hat outside at all times.I tan easily but I try to stay out of the direct sun. Also sun block is a must.

[benmcd]

Staying ahead of these things is always good Saint. I took a small red spot on my left shoulder to the Dr about 3 weeks ago, after he examined it through a magnifying instrument he advised me it was abnormal and needed to be removed. It was about 5mm across, irregular in shape and slightly raised, the color was for most part red. Four days later it was cut out, just 3 stitches and when the biopsy came back it was a benign keratosis. So I was seriously relieved. My Dr said that caution is always the best option. I guess like you in the southern states we have strong sun (UV) and high instances of  skin cancers. I was however surprised by how non-invasive the removal was, it really was totally painless. My advice would be to get unusual stuff checked out. Good luck Saint, I'm sure you'll be fine.   

[D.A.L.U.I.]

I'm totally confident there isn't a problem   I've had this done before, and I've had electrodessication and curettage for basal skin cancers 4 times, and 3 mohs procedures for squamous cell cancers.  It's not the procedure that gets me going.

What I worry about is how I'll look for a couple of days after the procedure, shaving, etc.  I'm pretty vain, so I'd gotten everything set for the day, then it blows out .  Now I have a Tuesday appointment--I'll have to work from home, no business meetings looking like I've been mugged--that's the part that bugs me.   I learned that too when this was done before, the swelling on one eye almost prevented me from putting in my contacts.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Deed is done.  The line of the lesions follows the part in my former combover and into the hole in the back of the head--freaky.  I'm again physically reminded that I waited far too long to ditch the dying mop.  Had I done it 10, even 15 years before, sunscreen would have protected my scalp.  These won't leave any scars but damn it makes me mad I waited so long.  I was cursing myself all the way through the procedure--it hurts when they freeze, really hurts for about 5-10 minutes after, tears form, and still is irritating.  Only good news is he said shave away just put this ointment over the areas if the razor opens up the blisters.  More Shine--
So, lurkers and fencers w/ combovers, you're flirting w/ skin cancer in addition to not looking your best.  Grab your blade, the skin cancer you'll avoid will be your own.  Sly--the start of skin cancer prevention for the noggin. 

[RyanJP]

Glad you're ok brother