Skin Cancer?

[steffali]

I just was diagnosed with Skin Cancer and had to have MOHS Surgery. Has anyone gone through this? What type of skin protection do you use at WDW?
Thanks for any info.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Glad the skin CA was caught. I had a small basal cell removed about 2 years ago. I use a small bandaid over the site in the summer. The times I don't use the bandaid, I use a SPF 45 with UVA & UVB protection. No particular brand.

What's MOHS surgery? Have you had it? If not, I hope it goes well for you.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

My mom has had two skin cancers - a basal cell carcinoma on her face and a malignant melanoma on her leg. The one on her face was worked on in the dermatolgist's office-a whole afternoon of precise work. The stitches were many, but very tiny, so the mark that was left is almost invisible. You can see it if you're up close, but not from any distance. She's had some pre-cancerous spots on her face and shoulders that have also had to be removed that were not very involved. The malignant melanoma on her leg was much more involved and invasive, requiring a hospital stay. She has about a seven inch scar on her leg from that (sort of a Frankenstein looking one!), and a dent from where they took out muscle tissue. They also had to take out lymphnodes from the groin to check for the progression of the cancer. Because of the missing lymphnodes, her leg swells up if she is on it too long. That spot was just a mole on the outside that she really wasn't too concerned about, but it had progressed to stage 3 underneath. She wears the highest SPF tanning lotion she can find, and the doctors have pretty much told her to stay out of the sun, period. Just be sure you stand in the shade as much as possible, keep re-applying the lotion, and go to indoor shows, etc., to get breaks from the sun.

 

[marybet]

I had one on my face removed with MOHS. After about 6 months you could not really see a scar. I have another basil cell on my shoulder that will be removed on Friday.

We went to Universal about 3 weeks after the MOHS and I used a 30 spf and wore a visor. I never go out in the sun for any length of time without sunscreen.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your skin cancer....my mother has had 13 skin cancers removed and has even had to have a skin graph because one was so deep on her arm. When she visits Disney she uses SPF 30 waterproof and carefully uses the reapply directions on the packaging.

I hope everything goes well for you!

 

[Cindyluwho]

My DH has had two melanomas removed from his face with MOHs surgery. The best sunscreen, according to his doctor, is Cotz. I'm hoping I'm spelling that right. 30 or 45spf is NOT going to protect you enough if you're prone to skin cancer. There are some amazing clothing lines out there that have 95 spf clothes and hats. Hats are a must. There is no cheating once you've been diagnosed with skin cancer. My DHs doctor describes it like this: you're body is like an empty glass and the sun is a pitcher of water. You can keep pouring water into the glass with no consequences until it starts to overflow, then there's no turning back. Everyone's body is different, some can take more sun than others, but once you've had your fill - that's all it can take without developing more skin cancers. Big hugs to you, PM me if you want to talk.

 

[NHAnn]

My DH had a basal cell on his nose removed by MOHS surgery a couple of year ago. (You can't even TELL now...can barely see the tiny scar unless you really really search for it. His dermatologist recommends a sunscreen with titanium dioxide..at WDW or home...

 

[geffric]

I wear 45 or 50 SPF sunscreen and keep reapplying it every 2 hours, stay out of the sun as best I can and wear a big hat with SPF protection http://www.sundayafternoons.com/index.cgi I saw a women at AK one day in this hat and loved the protection it gave...

good luck with the surgery... most people can't even tell where the scar is on mine..

 

[steffali]

Glad the skin CA was caught. I had a small basal cell removed about 2 years ago. I use a small bandaid over the site in the summer. The times I don't use the bandaid, I use a SPF 45 with UVA & UVB protection. No particular brand.

What's MOHS surgery? Have you had it? If not, I hope it goes well for you.

Thanks everyone for some great ideas!
|
I Had MOHS surgery a few days ago and I get my stiches out on Wednesday.

 

[steffali]

I wear 45 or 50 SPF sunscreen and keep reapplying it every 2 hours, stay out of the sun as best I can and wear a big hat with SPF protection http://www.sundayafternoons.com/index.cgi I saw a women at AK one day in this hat and loved the protection it gave...

good luck with the surgery... most people can't even tell where the scar is on mine..

Thanks!!! I looked at the website I have always said that I am not a "hat person" but I guess my health will come first. It will be something I will have to get used to

 

[Pixiedust34]

My dh has had melanoma removed from his ear. Our dermatologist said that she recommends Neutrogena SPF 50. He also has to wear a hat to protect his ears and face. When outside, he reapplies sunscreen frequently. We will be in WDW in August, and I'll be packing a whole lot of sunscreen! He has a wide brimmed hat to wear.

Now he gets a skin screening every 3 months. His next screening is next week, and I'm hoping it'll go OK.

Take care. I hope that all goes well for you. Make sure you continue to get your skin screened on a regular basis.

 

[steffali]

Yes I will go for a regular skin screening as often as the Dr.'s tell me too. The strangest thing about this is that I am not one that is tan at all. However I will be applying my sunscreen often and I have to find a hat that won't make me look like my mother at the beach

 

[Cindyluwho]

Thanks everyone for some great ideas!
|
I Had MOHS surgery a few days ago and I get my stiches out on Wednesday.

You won't believe how fast the scar fades!! Those plastic surgeons who do MOHs are amazing!!

 

[steffali]

Besides the MOHS surgery I now have Bronchitis . Can you believe all that I am worried about is getting the stitches out of my face and feeling better! Nothing will stop my trip in a few days Antibiotics here I come

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My Mom just turned fifty last year but has had four places of skin cancer removed from her face in the last 5-6 years. She has very fair skin and grew up in a poor family that couldn't afford sunscreen (and I'm sure didn't realize the harmful effects of the sun). She generally now wears visors/hats with a brim while we're at WDW and she always uses a moisturizer in the morning with an SPF and applies sunscreen throughout the day.