Have had a spot on my face, in front of my ear, for too long. Tomorrow I go to the dermatologist. I can almost guarantee it's skin cancer. I'll find out tomorrow. Hopefully not melanoma. It is what it is, I guess. I don't want to be dramatic. I'll hopefully have more info tomorrow.

I hope you are wrong. I know it's hard but try to be more positive. Some years back my wife had a growth in her abdomen. A huge growth. The doctor she was seeing swore it had to be cancer according to her blood work. We however didn't accept that because no biopsy had been taken. The surgeon feared that it may spread if a biopsy was taken. They actually sent her to a cancer hospital for her surgery. Come to find out it was a five and a half pound growth. While it was still a major surgery the growth turned out to be benign and no cancer was found. She made a quick and full recovery.

I didn't post that to make this about myself or my wife. I posted it to show that often times things don't turn out as badly as we imagine they will. Sometimes we permit our imagination and thought process to run away with themselves. I hope everything turns out well and it's something very minor.

Hey Arch... how did everything go?

As well as possible, all things considered. 3 areas of minimal concern. She froze those. Said that should be good for those.

The main spot that actually caused me to go - the Derm NP (???) said it looked like a basal cell cancer, as well as another tiny spot below it by a few inches. Biopsied them, sending them in to be checked. Will take up to 2 weeks to get the biopsy results. (I thought some places did the biopsy on site).

She was pretty certain it was basal cell, but we'll find out. She was also pretty sure I'd need surgery - Mohs surgery.

I said "well, if one is going to have skin cancer, basal cell is the way to go, isn't it?" She said yes.

Where she took specimens to be biopsied, she also then cauterized those places. As well as an "oops" on my ear lobe. She apologized, said she didn't mean to. Used a mirror to show me. I said "big deal. I bleed on my hands almost every day. I'm not going to complain."

So, the best news would've been "It's nothing" but the next best news is what I got. That IS subject to change when the biopsies are back.

Well, that's good news for now. Hopefully the biopsy is negative as well.

Good to hear. 👊

Keep us posted.

I have had so many instances of skin cancer that it's ridiculous. (formerly red hair with fair skin)

Only one was malignent so far. Fortunately, the doctor managed to get it all out. I do have a nice, bright white scar under the edge of my beard ... but fortunately, that's my only aftereffect.

I hope your outcome is as good as mine was.

If it helps, my Mom had 3 spots of basal cell carcinoma on her face that went several layers deep. She had those removed and no further problems.

Prayers that its benign and for speedy healing.

I hope and pray those biopsies are negative, Arch.

arch..hopefully the results will be good news for you ...or at least the best possible news you can expect given the circumstances.

Something we need to consider and it might be a surprise to you...the number of people who are pulling for you...good luck, arch.

Sorry to hear this, Arch. But glad you are addressing it. Prayers for you, and my hopes that the biopsies come back clean. Do not weaken, pal, and keep us in the loop if you decide it's OK. With you wherever this road needs to go.

Here's wishing you the best for round two, arch.
Stay strong.

I will let people know how things go, but it will probably be done in DM's.

Forget pm's.

Just got off the phone with the Derm. Clinic.

The bigger one - the one that made me decide to go - IS basal cell carcinoma. Lady said "one of the more aggressive", but I didn't ask what that meant. The other one, the small one that they biopsied was some name I can't spell, but it was 'precancerous'. They'll just freeze that one and it should take care of it.

Now, another week or so wait to find out when I have Mohs surgery.

We are with you Bubba.

Wishing you a great outcome Arch. I'll be praying for you.

Hopefully it will be a simple surgery and that will get it all. You will be in my prayers

More prayers on the way then, Arch. Stay stronger longer, man. Praying for ongoing healing and strength for you and your team. Do not weaken, pal.

Thoughts and prayers, my friend.

In the words of the great Canadian poet R.G. Emmett, “fight the good fight every moment, it’s your only way”

I expect nothing less from a fellow dawg.

Praying for you, my friend.

And now, if I want to have it done locally, it won't me till May. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see if I can get in to one of their other locations sooner. I may have to drive a ways, but hey...

Arch my friend !

Sorry to hear about this

Don't get frustrated keep positive, keeps you stronger

Everything will be fine for you

Got you in my thoughts and prayers

Hang in there, my man. Keep a positive attitude and kick this things ass!

Trust your doctors and try to remain positive..hopefully all your doctors and nurses will be Browns fans...

So, my 'issue' prompted my wife to go to the dermatologist. She had a mark on her forehead. She was just going to get it 'frozen'. Derm said "uh, I don't like the shape of it. We're going to biopsy it." (they did freeze another spot on her face.)

Well, honey, if it IS skin cancer, maybe we can get a discount for having 2 surgeries?

Pulling hard for the best outcomes for both of you.

I'm sure that I speak for all of us: I want U+J to kick this villain in the ass.

You have friends, team mates, and fellow dawgs who all want the same thing for you.

So, only took 1 1/2 hours, and two 'cuttings'. It's gone. Got home at about 12:30. Starting to get a little pain right now since the numbing stuff is wearing off. Each 'slice' was about the thickness of a dime.

I got to take pictures as well. (they said they'd never had anyone ask for that before)

Glad everything turned out well arch.

Dang, man. Glad you got it over with. Any follow-ups?

arch..it sounds like 'good news'...

Hopefully the lab results will confirm that the surgery was successful...

Glad you're doing OK, and pray for good news for both you and your wife.

They said they got it all. Aside from taking care of it properly, I don't go back until 6 months. Apparently that's a 'norm' once you've had it.

Glad to hear it went well, Arch. God luck going forward.

Prayers sent for your wife first and then also for you. Glad you are on the far side of this! Do not weaken. Hopping for best outcomes.

Good news Arch glad to hear it!!! Prayers coming from me to you!!

Prayers that it stays gone, my friend. Glad they got it all. Stuff can be nasty.

glad it went well. Praying for good results on the biopsy

arch..not going back for 6 months..that sounds like good news to me...

As a cancer survivor myself, I can tell you this, the greatest words you can hear are: "We got it all"

Good news.

Just an update: The scar is hardly noticeable. If you didn't know I had 1/10 of the side of my face removed, you'd never see it. It's still numb. When I touch that area, it feels like I still have the bandage on it. I hope the feeling comes back, but if it doesn't, oh well.

Another cancer survivor here Arch.

Great to hear the "They Got It All" part!!!!!

Thanks. I'm glad they got it all but I hesitate to call myself a cancer survivor.............simply because it was basal cell. Maybe that's right, maybe that's wrong.

Good deal, boss. Glad it all worked out the way it did.

arch..that's good news..

Thanks for sharing your experience and how you dealt with the issue...it does help to educate the rest of us.