30 Plus Years and Still Fighting...

By paige-tucker

1 min read

Popping up more and more often

I'm 57 and have been battling pre-cancers and basal cells since my late 20s. As I age, I can tell they are popping up more often. I've lost count of all the cryotherapies I've had, and even the number of small basal cells that have been cut off. Last year, though, I was shocked when my regular dermatologist noticed a significant lesion on my nose (of all places).

Topical treatment concerns

I had my first Mohs surgery, lost a lot of my nose, and had an AMAZING plastic surgeon do the reconstruction afterwards. Now, a little over a year later, my dermatologist has prescribed that chemotherapy cream to use on my face, but I am hesitant. I teach school and get out quite a bit, so I don't want to look like a burn victim on my face for weeks and maybe months. People get boob jobs, nose jobs, etc. When will we be able to get skin jobs? Just give me a complete overhaul. Lol. I have to say, in all honesty, I feel very blessed to be extremely healthy otherwise. I guess we all have our own issues in life to struggle with.

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pamelasue74 Member
Paige I have had that treatment done twice and it is a difficult one to deal with for sure, probably a month of your face looking burned, and having pain and discomfort. However, i am almost 45 and have had 28 basal cell surgeries to date all over various parts of my body. That treatment has helped me control pre-cancerous spots on my face and avoid the surgical scars that might have occurred on my face. What we have to remember is those are brief moments in the big picture, and teachable moments I had with many asking about my face and explaining what was happening. It’s scary, I cried looking at myself in the mirror every day as it got worse, but hen it got better. Life went back to normal. Well as normal as it can be when dealing with this things. Always here to support.
buttercup59 Member
I feel your pain. I am 59 and have been dealing with treatments for 14 years. I have lost count of the number of field treatments, freezings, biopsies, surgeries and mohs. Plus I was on oral chemo for s couple years. I have also had chemo wraps and blue light treatment. My dermatologist did a chemical peel in my face last week to give me a break from pre- cancer treatments and I am happy so far! They did it on my arms and hands six months ago too and it has helped with the number of regrowths. Just something you could ask about.
NinaHU Community Admin
Thank you <inline-mention user-id="2100953" username="buttercup59"/> and <inline-mention user-id="2100340" username="pamelasue74"/> for your thoughts! Your support is much appreciated! I wanted to tag <inline-mention user-id="2101124" username="paige-tucker"/> here and say you're not alone in these frustrations. Thinking of you all. - Nina, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
gammy5 Member
A skin job would be great, if it would work! I have had two MOHS surgeries on my nose and reconstruction as well as using Floricil on most of my face. I will NEVER have a sunburn again and that doesn’t matter. My past is catching up to me.