HIPAA 'Protecting patient health information'
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I figure it's OK to share my own. My own cancer scare.
I have been going to the Dermatologist every six months religiously since I started living on a sailboat. (about 15yrs) Every time I visit the first thing they say is, "Have you noticed anything different?" So a few weeks ago I noticed something different.
I had dry scaly skin after a shower, so I was rubbing some Nivea Essentially Enriched lotion onto my Old Man legs. I noticed this little blister looking thing that I had never seen before. My immediate thought was, "that's something new I've never noticed before." So the next day I jumped onto my bicycle and rode to the Dermatologist office. Walked right into the waiting room and asked to show them my new leg bump. After some minor "negotiation" they agreed to work me into their very busy schedule.
The fresh biopsy.
The doctor took a razor blade and cut off my tiny bubble. he sent it off to the Pathologist to see if it was Cancerous. It was. "Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer caused by an overproduction of squamous cells in your epidermis, the top layer of your skin. Exposing your skin to the sun's UV rays puts you at a high risk of getting skin cancer."
So after about a week I get the phone call, "yep it's Cancer." I had to go back in to have a Mohs Surgery. Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized procedure for treating skin cancer that involves removing thin layers of skin and examining them under a microscope to check for cancer cells. The theory is they take a cut of skin till they dont see anymore cancer. Realistically its a big deep cut.
Here's how Mohs surgery works:
1. Outline the tumor
The surgeon outlines the tumor with a pen and injects the area with a local anesthetic.
2. Remove the tumor
The surgeon uses a scalpel to remove the visible portion of the cancer, as well as a thin layer of tissue around and underneath it. (i call bullshit. they cut out a big icecream scoop)
3. Examine the tissue
thin slices that are placed on glass slides and stained. The surgeon then examines the slides under a microscope to look for cancer cells. This process continues until the surgeon no longer sees cancer cells.
The original biopsy site and pen marks to cut around.
Lots of shots to deaden the feeling.
PHOTO WARNING
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PHOTO WARNING BELOW - 'The Cut.'
After the cutting, they used a Cygnus Graft. Imagine a very thin piece of clear plastic pushed down into the divot. CYGNUS® amniotic membrane grafts can be applied as a biological membrane covering that provides an extracellular matrix used in numerous clinical applications, including wound care, and dermatology.
The patient at home in his ICU.
The nurse told me to REST ALL DAY. Put your leg up above your heart and take it easy. "Dont do anything physical." Those were her instructions. (what does that mean? for how long?) I pressed her, about the meaning of nothing physical. She finally said, "don't do any aggressive vacuuming." (that's her idea of physical) I assured her there is zero chance that I'll be doing any aggressive vacuuming. But for how long? Also, can I ride my bicycle? She says, "you'll want to lay on the couch for about 8 weeks, and keep the bandage dry and come in once a week for us to change the bandage and install a NEW Cygnus Graft." Are you out of your mind? We finally compromised: I can ride my bike for 30 minutes, and NEVER vacuum.
(DERMAL CURETTE) Rounded on the sides but sharp.
Next she proceeded to scrape the entire edge to take off any scab or dead stuff. (This was pretty unpleasant.) In my traditional search for the truth I had asked her to NOT use the syringe of pain numbing stuff before she did the scraping. Lastly she got a soapy rag thing and 'aggressively' rubbed the shit out of the cut hole. She says, "I'm going to use pressure, I like things clean." I don't think she is Sadistic, but she is anal retentive and really made a career out of digging around in my cut hole with wads of cleaning patches. I was so happy when it ended and she wrapped it up.
After and Before the first cleaning and debridement. (RX photo)
One thing of note: The NEW signs in each exam room since I was there last week.
NO PHOTOS ALLOWED.
See, one idiot can ruin it for everyone!
Peg Leg Skip
