Battleships

I had a BCC removed approximately 2 years ago from my right shoulder. Then, not by design, I did not see my dermatologist until the end of May that just past.

The result of that visit was five biopsies. In my mind, I have been jokingly comparing this to the childhood game of Battleships, and so out of 5 shots, they got 3 direct hits and a very near miss.

Melanoma and basal cell carcinoma

I had a melanoma on my lower right side and two basal cell carcinoma, one on each lower leg. I also had a pre-cancerous mole on my left thigh that was identified as having a hereditary trait. I have passed that information on to my adult children. I was very fortunate that all three were largely superficial and very treatable.

I had Mohs surgery for one BCC on the back of my ankle. This was left open to heal with my agreement. The other BCC was cauterized. The melanoma was removed surgically and stitched internally and externally.

Lived an active lifestyle before skin cancer

Prior to these events, I had never really had anything that stopped me from being very active. Now I was being advised that I needed to keep my legs raised as much as possible, avoid stretching or lifting, and to expect the wounds to take approximately 2 months+ to heal.

The Mohs surgery wound was to be kept covered and the melanoma not (after an initial 2 or 3 days). The Mohs wound became infected and then, soon after, I developed a reaction to the bandages I used on the Mohs wound. Out of solidarity, the other two wounds that were generally only covered at night also developed the same reaction!

Exercising gently post-Mohs surgery

In the last week or so I have started to exercise gently and I am guessing my legs do not need to be elevated so much. The next challenge will be in about a month when I have the first three-month skin check. These checks will continue at that frequency for two years. I have to admit to dreading these appointments and need to arm myself with information on alternative treatments. Then perhaps I can debate the treatment approach with the dermatologist when they get more direct hits!

If there is a possible plus side to COVID I think it is that I have been working from home all this time. I can't imagine how much more difficult this would all have been if I had been working normally. Not impossible I should add; I have a desk job, but still much more awkward and uncomfortable.

Thanks for listening.