My sister has skin cancer

[cinlee3]

She went in to have some moles looked at and removed and a spot on her lower eyelid. He cut out a piece and had it biopsied and she just got the call that she needs to come in and discuss treatment.

The good news is it's basal cell carcinoma - so it won't spread throughout the body. The bad news is he said they would have to remove a significant amount of her lower eyelid.

She has olive skin and has always tanned easily but never wore sunscreen. She always thought that because she tanned it wouldn't happen to her.

She lives in Freeport but says she will go to someone in Madison, WI or go back to Houston.

She went out today and bought moisturizer with sunscreen.

 

[nativetxn]

I wear sunscreen every day, even living in Michigan, I still wear it.

I'm glad it wasn't melanoma, but still sorry she will lose so much of her eyelid.

If it was me, I'd find a plastic surgeon in Houston to do my surgery, I'm vain, I admit it. But eyelids are such a visible spot. Good luck to your sister with this.

 

[cinlee3]

What is upsetting her the most is the fact that it is under her eye. She burst into tears as she was telling me.

Her appointment with the dr. is next Tuesday.

 

[Kallison]

What a shame, I'll keep your sister in my thoughts. My DH has had several basal cells and they have all been highly treatable. I had a mole removed that they said had the potential to be malignant melonoma. Me, DH and kids get a skin cancer check each year -- dh twice a year. I wear sunscreen on my face daily. It makes me CRAZY when people are on the boards talking about getting a base tan at a tanning booth or how they feel naked if they are pale in Florida. People just do not realize what an epidemic skin cancer is going to be for our children and our generation as we get older.

 

[helenabear]

I am so sorry to hear about your sister, but I am so glad that it is treatable. Such a shame that she will have to have that much of her lower eyelid removed. I wish her the best with it. Sure makes me glad that I wear sunscreen daily (it is in my moisturizer)

 

[iluvorlando]

Wow, that is scary. I'm glad it isn't the kind that spreads. I hope she finds a great surgeon. I also wear sunscreen every day. I just hope the damage I did while swimming won't come back to haunt me. (((HUGS))) and prayers for your sister.

 

[worm761]

nothing much to offer but {{HUGS}} to you both.

 

[Saffron]

Awww, I'm so sorry to hear that. No matter what, it's still scary. You know what, they make improvements every year in surgical tecniques and procedures, that maybe people won't even know that she's ever had surgery. I'm hoping for the best for her and will be thinking of her. Let us know when she has the surgery.

 

[bfeller]

Nothing but prayers and {{HUGS}} to offer.

 

[FINFAN]

I am sorry to hear the news about your sister...but glad that it is treatable. I'm afraid there are many (myself included) who might pay the price for those teen-age years of obtaining a tan.
Take care.

 

[ead79]

I'm sure your sister must be so frightened. I am glad to hear that it's very treatable, but I know it must be very difficult for her to face having part of her eyelid removed. I will remember her in my prayers. {{{HUGS}}} for you both.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Tanning is the skins way of telling us it is getting damaged, and so many mistakenly think it is good.

My very best for your sister, cinlee. I am sure it will go well for her. She has to be observant in the years ahead.

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

Sorry to hear this cinlee. {{hugs}} to both you and your sister.

 

[catsrule]

Sorry about your sister. Hope she has a quick recovery.

 

[BWVDenise]

Best wishes to your sister. That's terrible!

 

[Jenn]

cinlee3,

My SIL had the exact same type of cancer in a spot between her eye and the side of her nose. She has olive skin, moles everywhere and bakes in the sun every summer. She had several choices for removal and chose to have it frozen and cut out (not sure of specfic name of this procedure). She looked like she had been punched in the face for about 2 weeks. Her doctor gave her VERY specific instructions for sun exposure - she should wear a hat and sunglasses if in direct sun (like a day at the beach) and always, always, sunblock of a high SPF on her face, at least SPF 15 on her body.

This was 2 years ago and she now goes to the doctor once a year for routine mole checks and removal (he usually removes several each visit). She still longs to be a sun godess and needs reminders from her teenage kids, husband, and family to wear the sunblock.

Don't worry about your sister - this is the least dangerous of the skin cancers and if she does what her doctors tell her, she will be just fine.

 

[newmousecateer]

Sorry to hear this. Prayers for your sister.

 

[Tink33]

Cinlee - best wishes for you sister. I too was diagnosed with skin cancer a few years back. Since that time I have had 4 lesions removed from my face. I am probably the only person who notices the scars.

Have your sister send me a pm if she wants to talk to someone who has been in her position.

 

[cgcw]

Cindy,

I'm sorry about your sister. It must be very scary for her. I hope all turns out well.

 

[cinlee3]

Thank you all for your prayers and concern.

Jenn, my sister sounds just like your SIL. She has moles everywhere and has had quite a few removed. She baked in the sun as a teenager and never wore sunscreen. This spot didn't even look like mole. I am the fair skinned one who always burned and I where sunscreen.

One thing I am guilty of is the fact that my kids are dark complected I am not as careful about sunscreen. With a strong family history (both grandparents and now sister) I will make sure they where sunscreen all the time from now on.

My sister said the doctor has a poster in office that says -
"A great tan is the first sign of skin cancer"

Thanks again!!