I Can't Say In Public

By wseverin

1 min read

Four years ago, I had a mole on my shoulder. It was the size of a pinhead once. Then it turned into a blue crab dark looking thing, seemed like overnight, bigger than a pencil eraser with legs. I went to a family doctor, cut it off, and tossed it into the trash. The doctor said it was nothing, but now I have a scar the size of a nickel there.

Fast forward two years, a large mole appears on my left cheekbone, same side as the shoulder. My new family practitioner cut that off, and by the next day was found to be malignant melanoma, but didn't tell me until a week later. Since then 2 more malignant melanomas removed, dozen or so precancerous removed. Damn good thing I can handle pain. I'd confront that old doctor, but he passed away. ?

This stuff is a royal pain. Now, that spot on my shoulder has reappeared near where the first one is. I am NOT optimistic about this. It just keeps coming back. Now, every little dot on me gives me a good dose of worry. Needlessly. If doc 1 had sent it to a lab, maybe I wouldn't be going through this now.

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sidneysalehkurtz Community Admin
I'm so sorry to hear about your initial misdiagnosis, <inline-mention user-id="2106507" username="wseverin"/> ! Unfortunately, many of our community members have also expressed that they or a loved one have been misdiagnosed before receiving the correct diagnosis. Dealing with recurrence and the fear of skin cancer returning can take such a huge emotional toll on us which is why it’s so important to have a good support system and a healthcare team that answers all your questions. Here are a few articles that you may find helpful or find some comfort in reading: <a href='https://skincancer.net/living/worrying-tumor-recurrence' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/living/worrying-tumor-recurrence/</a> <a href='https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/advocates-mental-health-recurrence-risk' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/advocates-mental-health-recurrence-risk/</a> <a href='https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/emotional-impact' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/emotional-impact/</a> Thanks for sharing your skin cancer journey with us. We are all here for you! Sending positive and healthy wishes your way.
April Pulliam Member
@wseverin...I am absolutely appalled reading your story. I completely agree with you--if the first doctor had shown more concern, you may have very well been on a different path. I am just so sorry that you are going through repeated diagnoses now. I will say this: You are definitely on the right path now. You are being diligent in skin checks and proactive in seeing a doctor. I am keeping you in my thoughts as you move forward. We are here for you! April, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a>, Moderator
rockerfella2 Member
Hi I am going through something similar but now the tumour is 4-5 inches long. I have BCC the left side of my face from my eye and my lip. The treatment I’ve had has taken over ten years from when I first told my doctor.. They now want to make a big flap on my face and I gotta tell ya I don’t want to be cut anymore.. I can’t stop crying...
bpgraham Member
I am with you on the bad doctoring. I had a bad lab and slow Doctor. I have a silver dollar scar on my forehead. It is my badge of courage now. It was BCC it finally took 4 hours to remove it. You know labs and all. I learned to push hard if I feel something needs addressing quick.