Another Day, Another Nick

A life outdoors in the tropics has its drawbacks, with the potential for skin cancer one of them.

Another quite small skin cancer was surgically removed from the lower back today. Means no swimming for a few days, blast it. One at this visit to the skin doctor.................that is good!!!

Six months ago a rather nasty, but undetected by me, skin cancer was removed off the side of the nose, along with four other little beasties elsewhere on the body.

One this time is good, and even better, none on the face or arms, common "places of interest".

Apparently, there is often a peak of activity and skin cancers that develop, with a gradual decline in appearances of the blighters after that. Hopefully, I am on the reducing part of the curve now, although eternal vigilance is still needed!

It is prudent, and good insurance to have a regular six monthly check.

The Frog Dissected

Guest Blog

Today the Monsoon Frog (MF) had an appointment with the skin doctor.

MF has spent a large part of his life in the tropics and, as those of us who live here know, that can be quite traumatic on the epidermis.

A week ago, during a six monthly skin check, the doctor found several marks that he was not particularly happy about. Some, he burnt off there and then; but the others where scheduled for attention later. He found what he felt were three Basal Cell Carcinoma’s (BCC) on MF’s back and shoulder and a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) on his nose.

So, today MF went under the knife.

The BCCs were removed by taking ellipse shaped skin sections and then suturing. Pretty ordinary but interesting.

The removal of the SCC, however, was quite fascinating. I asked, and was allowed, to watch. After removing the offending “spot,” the doctor then proceded to cover the hole. This involved cutting another circle of flesh from beside the wound, almost dividing that piece and spinning half of it around to cover the hole. He then used the remaining piece to cover the area he “stole” from. I lost count of the number of sutures, but it looked quite an amazing piece of handiwork when it was finished! The theory is, that, because the skin is so similar it will heal with no colour difference and the nose shape will be almost as it was (minus the cancer!) and with just stitch marks showing, initially.

The whole procedure took around an hour.

The offending bits will be sent to pathology for confirmation of their identity and clearance of successful removal.

Good looks are important for a Frog; you never know when a Princess may happen along and he would need to look his best!

I know you will want to join me in wishing him a speedy recovery and return to the pond!

Yee Ha - I get to swim!

Today was an important day...............my first swim for 2 weeks, following the skin cancer cut out off the arm. I did enjoy a serious hit out in the pool for a couple of kms, but am now a bit short on speed, after a two week lay off.

BUT......methinks it will be short lived. I had an important phone call today......the small innocous mark on my upper chest, just below the midpoint of the left clavicle is a nasty squamous cell carcinoma, and I need to go back to have more interaction at the "Casuarina Charcuterie".

They need to be sure that all bits are removed, so there will be a serious incision to remove the other bits close to the edges......tomorrow, shortly after the stitches are removed from the first round of incisions!

Hopefully, the time out of the water will only be a few days this time.

Skin Care 2

It is 2 weeks nearly since "the big slice" on my arm. Finally coming good. It took a while, and the Easter weekend was a very quiet one, unable to do a lot.

Have been exercise restricted for 2 weeks and getting a bit toey!

Stitches come out on Tuesday.