Living a Whac-A-Mole Life

By deanna-dee-taylor

1 min read

The conversation with my dermatologist when he called me after I had sent him photos of yet more growths on my scalp went like this:

Doc: "It looks like we will have to take another biopsy."

Me: "Well you know it’s like 'Whac-A-Mole.'"

Doc: (Big laugh) "I'm sorry I'll have to carve up your scalp again."

It's like Whac-A-Mole

The biopsies were performed and the diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma - A-GAIN. This is the 4th and 5th diagnosis since January 2019 (It is July 2019).

Scalp like a war zone

Today I just had them removed. My scalp literally looks like a war zone. Due to the rapid appearances of SCCs and AKs I will now be undergoing a 3-week treatment of Efudex in late September. In addition to the discussion with my doctor about Efudex I have conducted a lot of research on my own and sought stories and advice from those who have gone through this treatment.

Whac-A-Mole life is draining

It is like living in the arcade game Whac-A-Mole. After each procedure I have had to get rid of skin cancer cells, more growths pop up. My scalp is one big field of SCCs and AKs. Staying on top of this Whac-A-Mole life is draining and frustrating, but vigilance is necessary to ensure that treatment is immediate when necessary.

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Eileen Moderator
<inline-mention user-id="2089688" username="deanna-dee-taylor"/> , sounds like the least fun game, ever! Although, it might be satisfying to whack cancer with a gigantic toy mallet ... you might be on to something. Forget old magazines, perhaps it's the perfect pastime for a dermatology waiting room! Joking aside, I'm so glad to hear how vigilant and well-read you are. It's important. In fact, <a href="https://www.empr.com/home/mpr-first-report/painweek-2014/engaged-informed-patients-help-ensure-better-outcomes/" rel="nofollow">studies show informed patients have better outcomes.</a> We have sections on <a href="https://skincancer.net/news/">skin cancer news</a> and the <a href="https://skincancer.net/treatment/research/">emerging research</a> and the The Cancer Research Institute has an <a href="https://www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/cancer-types/skin-cancer" rel="nofollow">interesting overview of the progress of immunotherapy for skin cancer treatment.</a> Science provides a lot of hope, but skin cancer is mighty stressful nonetheless. Are you coping alright, day to day? Any time you need a boost, stop by our little community to chat. We get it. -Eileen, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
1. deanna-dee-taylor Member
 Hi Eileen, I love your humor and also your kindness. I am doing o.k. I typically deal with stress and anxiety by finding out as much as I can and seeking groups like this (which by the way, I love this site!). It helps to hear the stories of others and ask questions and seek more information. I appreciate knowing that this is a place I can feel safe in asking questions and receiving support. **Thank you**!!
2. Eileen Moderator
 I do the exact same thing to cope with stress, <inline-mention user-id="2089688" username="deanna-dee-taylor"/> , but sometimes I fall down <a href="https://youtu.be/2v3-R8xNMgM" rel="nofollow">a rabbit hole</a> and it stresses me out even more. Does that ever happen to you? If so, remember a sympathetic ear is never far. Not as good as a game of Whac-A-Cancer, but it's something, right? -Eileen, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
deanna-dee-taylor Member
Thank you again Eileen! Yes, there are days for me too as I adjust to all of this. I will for sure take advantage of those times here. Thank you very much!
tony-b Member
Love your story. As a man with a balding scalp, this is a bit of a joke. I refer to the plastic surgeons wanting to turn my head into a patchwork quilt with skin grafts, my head is bald but the skin used for grafting has hairs and is a different texture.. So far I have resisted this since my first squamus cell removal and they have managed to just remove the lesions rather than cut out a larger lump and then skin graft. If I had know earlier that I could have had treatment by chemo cream (Metvix and Efudix) to treat the basal cell carcinomas as well as attack the actinic keratosis and pre-cancerous cells I could have save myself a few operations. It seems that plastic surgeons love cutting and pasting but do not like to refer you to a dermatologist who can offer alternative approaches. Anyone who has yet to be operated on but has skin cancer should insist on their dermatologist explaining ALL of the alternative treatments rather than the easy cut and paste. After my recent sessions of chemo treatment with both Metvix and Efudix, I am hoping for a long period before anymore operations are required.