Just now diagnosed with SCC

dreamer3, it's pretty vain to get the cancer where you don't have to be concerned about scars. The procedure is easy. It can be a long process getting to the margins as they test the skin for cancer after each removal. I'd say download an engaging video to stream. And in your case you might want a pillow with a gap for the cancered area so you can sit without putting pressure on it. And something good and consoling to eat and drink in case it takes all day. I'd send my ride away--on call, but you might have someone distracting and fun.

@dreamer3 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! There are several discussions about squamous cell skin cancer. If you put that into the search bar within the "melanoma and skin cancer" support group, you can choose to look at any of the 38 discussions that include that.

We all will have our own story, but also share common thoughts. My suggestion is to follow the guidelines that your doctor gives you. They will know the location and how to handle the post surgery concerns. I wish you well, and hope you will let me know what specific questions I could answer for you?
Ginger

I have SCC and it's also on my butt. I started radiology treatments yesterday, which will continue for the month of April - 5 days a week. Evidently there has been great sucess using only radiology, which will work in my case - without chemo. I wish you well.

@gingerw hi there! Thank you so much.

@magscratch hi there, thank you so much ! would you mind telling me what the radiology is like? Does it make you tired? How long do you have to sit there? What are the side effects. I hadn’t thought past the mohs surgery, I m stressed out about that and hoping it won’t last 4 hours. Gosh isn’t strange to get it on our butts? Any form of cancer is such a scary thing. Thank you again and I wish you the very very best.

@gently hi there, oh those are good ideas ! Thank you soooo much 🙏🏼. I have to go in 2 days before my birthday…. Sooo Maybe a piece of cake would be nice. 😊 I’m still in shock and can’t get past the panic phase… I have to drive myself unfortunately an hour away, that pillow idea is good, they said I’d be ok but oye. Yes at least no one will see the scar , right now it kinda looks like a cat 🐱 lol

My BCC is Stage 1 and localized, The 1st radiology treatment was painless - the position I was in on the table was very uncomfortable but it needs to be in that position in order for the rays to reach the right area, It didn't take too long after the set-up and I was told that future treatents would not take as long as the first. The discomfort/pain will increase as the treatments continue, which is to be expected. I'm still able to sit but doubt that will last as time goes by. (Hello, donut). I hear that fatigue can be a factor but will need to check with the staff to verify. I also want to ask them how they check the progress of the treatments as far as how much cancer tissue is left to be treated. Another PET scan? TBD.

P.S. Some thoughts: yes, it is a shock and scary but they've made tremendous progress and you'll be in good hands. Try to think Beyond the treatment, when it will all be over. Temporary Inconvenience, Permanent Improvement!.
I totally collapsed when I got home after yesterday's treatment and realized that I had been holding in all the stress I was feeling - but never forget that there is Hope. You can get through this.