← Return to Biopsy confirmed: I have squamous cell carcinoma

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@bluelizard

I've wondered the same about my second piggy patch. I have labored to take only bird baths, keep completely out of water, have kept bandage in place, so at least I have no guilt it might've been something I did.
A collar bone lightning strike? I heartily approve! My original melanoma at my clavicle was removed, tho my original dermatologist intended to leave it with no further excision, despite margins that were not ideal. (A retired oncological nurse neighbor reviewed my labs and thought I'd benefit from a second opinion...how I came to know my terrific Doc.) It was subsequently suggested that I have an additional excision. He said in consult that he'd "marry the scars of both surgeries to give me a Big Dipper," which he achieved. I mean, why have a simple scar when one can be meteorological or celestial, right?

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Replies to "I've wondered the same about my second piggy patch. I have labored to take only bird..."

I had a large squamous cell removed from my forehead above my right eyebrow. Prior to closing the incision, the doctor gave me these options. "If I close you with vertical sutures, your will have a permanent inquisitive eyebrow. Are you a fan of the Pink Panther? Or, we could use a hockey stick suture, but that would be boring." I apparently like boring.

@bluelizard The healing biopsy site on my right upper arm is itching like crazy, and unfortunately I feel a similar symptom above it under the skin. Not trying to assume there is a growing issue there, and will be most anxious to get that result back.

Almost centered in my forehead about 1/2" above eyebrows, is a squamous cell scar. When it was done, and pressure bandage put in place, I covered it all in smiley stickers. Next day at work in the courtroom, it was the topic for some funny conversations! Basically my response was my brain had reached maximum capacity so they needed to install a a spigot to release some. Or, they needed to give me third eye access. The long-term affect is there is no movement under that scar to the right eyebrow, so being able to do "the Mommy look" is awesome!

My lightning scar is from anodular basal cell Mohs surgery. My melanoma scar is on right forearm and the 32 stitch scar [done Dec 2008] looks like a dog or shark bite.

As @grammato3 said, having a sense of humor going through all these has really helped me. While I do not diminish the seriousness of any of it whatsoever, being able to lighten the mood helps me, my providers, and all the staff to get to the end of a day.
Ginger