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Squamous cell carcinoma on my face

Posted by ghiggins @ghiggins, Apr 25 10:44am

Has anyone gone through surgery, biopsies with this type of cancer? I’ve noticed it and had it biopsied within about 2 months. Im a bit scared/curious/confused.

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louisejewell | @louisejewell | May 19 2:00pm
In reply to @mermaid7272 "I'm now healing from a large Moh,s surgery on my upper lip. It is at least..." + (show)
@mermaid7272

I'm now healing from a large Moh,s surgery on my upper lip. It is at least 1 inch long & is from the bottom of my nostril to the inside of my lip. The one side of my upper lip appears to have disappeared into my mouth. It is hard to smile, both physically and literally.
I also have 2 separate scars on my nose which are quite visible, they were done several years ago. There are two more on my lower leg, but those are of course, are not so visible.
My surgeon is quite experienced, and is "fellow shipped trained".
Sometimes scars are unavoidable.

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I've had two MOHS on my upper lip. Both well repaired by 2 different drs. The first was like yours, from nose to inside lip. I ate with a straw for a week. Also use water pik to clean teeth as I couldn't get a brush in. 3 yrs later its not so bad. One side of my mouth is shorter and I'm missing one bow but lip liner hides it ok. Main thing is don't procrastinate when you get a red spot. I've gone on to other scc's around my head and now on my second set of radiation, I believe due to not getting checked soon enough.

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mermaid7272 | @mermaid7272 | May 19 3:57pm
In reply to @louisejewell "I've had two MOHS on my upper lip. Both well repaired by 2 different drs. The..." + (show)
@louisejewell

I've had two MOHS on my upper lip. Both well repaired by 2 different drs. The first was like yours, from nose to inside lip. I ate with a straw for a week. Also use water pik to clean teeth as I couldn't get a brush in. 3 yrs later its not so bad. One side of my mouth is shorter and I'm missing one bow but lip liner hides it ok. Main thing is don't procrastinate when you get a red spot. I've gone on to other scc's around my head and now on my second set of radiation, I believe due to not getting checked soon enough.

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Thanks for your input, did your surgeons ever recommend plastic surgery? Mine did not.
Maybe in a few months, mine will look & feel better. Did you ever try Mederma? It's supposed to heal the scar. so far no luck, it is a gel that the Dr. recommended.
I've never had to have radiation, that must be very scary for you.
I really appreciate your advice & hope we don't have to go thru this again.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | May 19 4:36pm
In reply to @mermaid7272 "Thanks for your input, did your surgeons ever recommend plastic surgery? Mine did not. Maybe in..." + (show)
@mermaid7272

Thanks for your input, did your surgeons ever recommend plastic surgery? Mine did not.
Maybe in a few months, mine will look & feel better. Did you ever try Mederma? It's supposed to heal the scar. so far no luck, it is a gel that the Dr. recommended.
I've never had to have radiation, that must be very scary for you.
I really appreciate your advice & hope we don't have to go thru this again.

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@mermaid7272 My dr did not recommend plastic surgery, either. I have had 3 different MOHS surgeries on my face. Right now I am worried about my lower lip, as it is displaying what the old-timers call "farmer's lip" from so much time outside. My dr said not to worry, buti have a long history of skin cancer, from basal cell up to melanoma.
Ginger

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