Had a scare that made me evaluate life

I'm so glad it will work out.

I had a benign brain tumor in 1985 that almost killed me (pressure from hydrocephalus). I found a surgeon that used a modern technique that spared my brain from injury. I then had radiation treatment because it couldn't be completely removed. 30 years later, it threw off my endocrine system. Luckily, I have 2 kids already. I'm ok now (with meds), but I have nightmares almost every night that I'm 19 again, and going back into surgery, and I have a 10 percent chance of dying on the table (like in '85). I wake up in a sweat.

It did change my perspective on life like it did for you.
 
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gasket said:
Thread reviving post :-)
Kerry, earlier I mentioned I also have a suspect sun/skin history, you've prompted me to make another appointment to have a spot examined, thanks.
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So just back from the doctor. All good, no dangerous situation, probably a small eczema spot and now being treated with topical steroid. While I was there I asked my Dr to burn a very small brown "age spot" from my cheek. Yes, that was a cosmetic treatment but as usual it slipped :-) in under the radar and all covered by our tax funded universal healthcare. Sorry I couldn't help adding the "slightly political" end to the post ;-)
 
Back from getting the carcinoma seen to. OMG does the scalp ever bleed. He had to remove a piece of skin about the size of a silver dollar. He said the cancer was very shallow and the prognosis was very good for a complete recovery with no chance of it returning. My left eyebrow is a little higher than the right now though :)
 
Kerry Brown said:
Back from getting the carcinoma seen to. OMG does the scalp ever bleed. He had to remove a piece of skin about the size of a silver dollar. He said the cancer was very shallow and the prognosis was very good for a complete recovery with no chance of it returning. My left eyebrow is a little higher than the right now though :)
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Sounds positive!!
But sounds large. Not knowing what a silver dollar is I had to check. Quote from google, "It is the second largest U.S. coin currently minted for circulation in terms of physical size, with a diameter of 1.043 inches (26.5 mm)".
 
Kerry Brown said:
I've had a sore on my scalp for a few years. My doctor diagnosed it as actinic keratosis caused by too much exposure to sun. Last summer it got way worse. It was openly weeping and very painful. A few weeks ago my doctor took a biopsy and sent it away. He told me it was nothing to worry about. It was just a precaution. Last week I got a phone call from his office telling me to come in and see him. I started reading about skin cancer and started getting worried. Got in to see him yesterday. It is skin cancer but it is 100% treatable. It is the least worrisome form called squamous cell carcinoma. I'm scheduled to see the doctor in their clinic who specializes in this next week to have it surgically removed. It turns out it really is nothing to worry about but it did make me rethink my priorities in life. I'm going to devote more time to what I enjoy, like playing my guitar, especially live. I may even look at joining a band. I haven't looked at this in the past because of time constraints. To play in a band as opposed to just jamming requires discipline and commitment but maybe it's time for me to quit being so busy with other things and commit the time.
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Just went yesterday and had a biopsy taken on my very bald scalp and my right hand. I spent 40 years working outside and never thought about the effects of the sun. When my results come back I will let ya'll know. Kerry thanks for your story, it helped me to wake up a bit faster.
 
ChasFred said:
Just went yesterday and had a biopsy taken on my very bald scalp and my right hand. I spent 40 years working outside and never thought about the effects of the sun. When my results come back I will let ya'll know. Kerry thanks for your story, it helped me to wake up a bit faster.
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Hope it’s nothing but if is not it is very treatable if caught early. It’s a little painful but not that bad.
 
Well I heard from the Dr. office and the spots are PRE cancerous.
I am going in 2 week to have what is called a blue light treatment on my head, and the 3 weeks after that on my hands and arms.
I dodged the bullet on it this time. I need to start being more careful in the future.
 
Good going, Guys....my Dad had malignant melanoma taken off the back of his neck in 2007. Still doing well. I've also had a number of pre-cancerous areas frozen periodically myself.

In my police and military service, we got way too much sun exposure. I remember summer of 1994, we spent a lot of time outdoors on foot patrol and my uniform actually faded where you could see the badge and nameplates even after removing them from the shirt...and that was a monthly thing!
 
gasket said:
So just back from the doctor. All good, no dangerous situation, probably a small eczema spot and now being treated with topical steroid. While I was there I asked my Dr to burn a very small brown "age spot" from my cheek. Yes, that was a cosmetic treatment but as usual it slipped :) in under the radar and all covered by our tax funded universal healthcare. Sorry I couldn't help adding the "slightly political" end to the post ;-)
Click to expand...

Very relieved to hear a good report...
 
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