Dermatologist

[Magicman]

Had my annual trip to the Dermatologist today.  Yup I reckon that I am a sorehead because it is sore.  She froze two spots on the top of my head and one on my forehead.

Nothing alarming, just stuff that needed to go.  Sun exposure and inherited tendency to develop skin cancer.

[trapper]

I go every 3 months and normally get some froze.  About once a year  I need something cut out.  The next time will probably be with the surgeon.  He does all the surgery on my face   Plastic surgeon and very interesting to talk to.  Has hunted all over the world.  Last fall was going to hunt moose in Russia but his wife talked him out of it.

[Otis1]

I had a small scab on my left arm that just wouldn't heal, I told my regular doctor about it and he kind of shrugged it off and basically said if it is cancer it's not the really bad kind. Well my wife is a nurse and she did not like hearing that. I got a new doctor and she immediately gave me a referral to a dermatologist. My new doctor and the dermatologist were kind of shocked that the previous doctor didn't care. 

It ended up getting removed and was a skin cancer. Just had an annual appointment and nothing new.

[rusticretreater]

Dang man,

Refer that "doctor" to the AMA and State Licensing Board.

[Magicman]

I am OK today but the frozen spots are now quarter size clear blisters.  I resized a Band-aid for the forehead but the two on top will have to fend for themselves.  Surely they will not get the bark knocked off up there.  

[doc henderson]

there are different kinds of skin cancer.  Basal cell, docs do not get too excited, or they do.  I had one removed by punch bx. to confirm the dx.  no further treatment.  early basal cell.  my brother had one and the derm guy removed it with a football shaped incision then he drove across town to a plastic surgeon to repair the incision the same day.  Whole lotta stuff, and it is basal cell early.  squamous, more worrisome but depends on stage and grade.  Melanoma, it may be too late when you find it.  Most lesions are managed over many years especially in the sun exposed or predisposed elderly.  Your second docs may have "saved your life", or they went all drama queen excited and made no difference at all.  I am just saying, I have made some good calls, only for their doc to disagree, and sent then on to a specialist thinking I had missed the boat.  In the end, nothing really was different.  I have great stories, I should not tell here.  

[Magicman]

Thankfully apparently the nickle size Squamous cell that was surgically removed from my temple about 5 years ago was successful because nothing has showed back up at that location.  She looked at it yesterday and seemed pleased.  She had to look a second time to find the scar.