My Story (Skin Cancer in General)

Member Name: CPTDANIELS

Product:	Skin Cancer in General
Date:	30/11/08 (467 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Having it

Introduction:


I thought long and hard about writing this review, it's not something I like to do, talk about myself and my life but I decided because of the subject matter it could be beneficial to share my experiences.

Some facts:

Skin cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the UK, with over 40,000 cases a year.

There are three types, Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas, these are the most common and rarely life threatening. The third is the Melignant Melanoma this is the most dangerous type. 6000 people a year get this third type and 1500 die a year from it.

My story:

Just over two years ago I notticed a off colour mole in the base of my back. After a certain amount of pondering by me I decided to consult my GP. I did not know how long it had been there for as it was in a place that is so difficult to see but I thought I should get it looked at.

To my surprise my Doctor did not just send me away with a flea in my ear, she examined it very closely and told me she wanted to refer me to a Plastic's clinic to examine it in more detail.

Within two weeks a saw a specialist, who told me that they would like to remove it and arranged for day surgery the next week to identify exactly what it was.

At this stage I wasn't at all concerned and did not tell my friends or family as I thought nothing off it, as far as I was concerned it was just the removal of a mole and people have far more important things to think about than my back!

I had the surgery, which left me very sore and struggling to walk for a few days but looked forward to seeing my Consultant when the results where back from the lab.

I went to the hospital for my appointment that morning feeling confident this was routine and it would be an end to the matter.

I was in with him for about half an hour, in which time he explained that it was indeed a Melignant Melanoma. This meant absolutely nothing to me, who could I have something that I couldn't even spell and hadn't never heard off?

He explained that this was a kind of cancer often associated with sun damaged skin from UVA rays that you can get from short term exposure to the sun. Funny that I thought I haven't been in the sun for years.

By this time my head was in a spin and I was not taking too much in. Luckily he wrote everything down for me and explained that his big concern was that this was quite deep in my body and that it may have been there a long time. Then he completely dumfounded me by telling me I had an 80% chance of survival from this. My thought was how can this be true, only a few minutes ago there was nothing wrong with me, well that I knew off.

He said it so calmly and matter of factly I could take it in. What he needed to do was open the area up and see if there was further damage in that region of my back. He also arranged for me to have a MRI scan to see if the cancer had spread to any of my internal organs the following week after surgery.

I left his office totally panicked and shocked. I knew I must tell my family and close friends. I didn't want to, as I knew how much they would worry but I needed people to talk to and felt they had a right on know.

In some ways I was logical and sensible for example I made a will which I had been putting off for years and tried to put my home in order.

In other ways I was irrational, I remember a lady at work telling me she cried when England the previous night got knocked out of the World Cup. I bluntly told her to get a f****** life and that she should think about the important things in life. She didn't know about me and I appologised to her later that day for my unexpectable outburst.

I have to say work were great, I told my boss and a few close friends who were all supportive and understanding. I had to work as I was just Temping at the time and not working meant no money to pay the bills, although my head and my heart was not in it.

In the end I had futher surgery and my MRI scan. A week later I took my sister with me to the Consultant's office for a bit of moral support. I expected more bad news and was ready to except the worst. I was pleased it was me who had it and not someone with a young family or dependants, but I knew this was putting people who cared about me through hell.

I was completly gobsmacked when he told me that all my organs where cancer free and the surgery had found no further damage to my body. My sister was really pleased but I was too stunned to say anything. Obviously I was happy and I just felt so lucky, it was as if my guardian angel was smiling over me.

He told me that I would need to come back every 3 months to ensure it did not return and I need to check my lymph glands every week to check for lumps. But that is all absolutely fine, I was more than happy to do that.

Two years on I still have these quarterly appointments and I still get a bit jittery a few days before them. These I will need to attend for a further 3 years. My team at work know when they are due as I am quieter in the office and they say I am less approachable and more pre-occupied.

The feeling when I leave his office and I know I am ok for another 3 months is the most amazing feeling, I feel so happy and lucky words can't express just how great I feel.

In my story, my experiences with the NHS I cannot praise them enough they have been superb. There support and professionalism and speed they have dealt with my problem was excellent and quite amazing.

I do not feel cured yet, I think I will when I stop going for appointment every 3 months. I just take my life now a day at a time.

I try and be a sounding block these days for others who are unfortunate to suffer from any form of cancer, sharing their concerns and worries with me someone who has experienced it and may be able to offer words or support and advice.

Advice to members:

The only advise I feel qualified to say is if you have concerns about moles on your body that may be growing or becoming discoloured get them checked out with your GP. At the very least it will put your mind at rest.

Important fact:

Skin cancer has a 99% cure rate if it is detected and dealt with soon enough.

Thanks all for reading my review, I hope it is helpful but at the same time I hope it is something that you never get.

Very helpful web site with lots of great information: http://www.skincancerfacts.org.uk/facts.asp

CPTDANIELS November 2008

Summary: My Skin Cancer story