Well folks, it was quite an interesting dermatological day. First thing this morning I had an appointment to get the results from the 3 biopsies I had two weeks ago. Apparently, the cells and their structure were atypical enough to be of concern, so the lab wanted a larger and deeper sample from the two sites on my back. They need those tissues to determine exactly what is going on and how severe it is. We know it's not basal cell carcinoma, so the dermatologist told me they're looking for melanoma. Good to know.
Anyway, getting larger and deeper tissue samples means.... surprise! More stitches! Wow, in the past 6 weeks I've had 4 incisions in October, 3 in November and now 2 more (so far!) in December. Fun! The dermatologist used the punch method and removed 8mm deep of tissue to be sent off to the lab. So now I have 6 more stitches on two sites, and they were both bleeders too! It was pretty funny to have the bleeding issue again. He actually used a cauterizing tool to help stop it along with a pressure bandage. Thank God for local anesthesia, you know what I'm sayin'?
So the other thing Derma #5 laid on me today was the fact that he's moving to a practice in Mississauga. Man! I'm going through dermatologists like dirty shirts. So now he's handed me off to his colleague for my results and stitches removal in two weeks (Dec. 22nd - merry Christmas!).
Next up today was my appointment that was set waaaaay back in October with the dermatologist at the private clinic who took the lacklustre pictures of my skin (see here for a refresher on that episode). Today's appointment was supposed to be the review of those photos.
First of all, it took almost two months to get this appointment at the private clinic - and I paid to have those photos taken and for the meeting with the dermatologist today. So much for private health care, it sucks as much as the public kind in Canada! Second of all, he HAD NOT EVEN LOOKED at the photos. Great - so what did I pay you for? Third, when he saw that I had recent scars and bandages from this morning, he pretty much brushed me off. Wait a second buddy! I'm paying for your time! I managed to get him to look my skin over, and he only mentioned the lesion on my foot as something to keep an eye on. All in all, he spent at most 10 minutes with me - didn't ask me any health-related questions, hadn't reviewed my photos and pretty much rushed out the door. So much for Derma #6. Forget me going to see him again!
So, here I am with two fresh wounds, more biopsy results to wait for, and two more weeks of chemo to go over Christmas (starting Dec. 15th). I'm having to get to know a new dermatologist - again - and I don't even know if she's going to be any good. Oh well, I guess we're starting from scratch (no pun intended!)
Anyway, I'm not quite bummed but a wee bit frustrated. A bit of retail therapy after work did help, and now I'm off to eat popcorn and watch guilty TV. Tomorrow will be a better day!
Showing posts with label dermatologist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dermatologist. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Getting some action!
Woo, I"m getting some action! Some dermatological action that is.
You know the expression "when the cat's away the mice will play"? Well, this mouse knew that her regular GP was on vacation this week, so I went to his temporary replacement (a doctor I've seen before and like) and asked her to refer me to another dermatologist. Remember that my GP discouraged me to get a second opinion? That was why I went to the clinic in Detroit. But now I need a dermatologist here who can carry out the instructions from the visit to the clinic (further care to the original BCC lesion, and 3 more lesions removed for biopsy). So temp GP referred me to a dermatologist she said was fantastic, but it could be quite a wait to see him. I agreed because I was hoping he was well worth the wait. Before I left the doctor's office I cancelled my Dec. 3rd surgery appointment with the clinic's dermatologist, having decided that I would now wait for the new dermatologist. It was a risky decision, but I didn't want Derma #3 to cut me up anymore!
Well my friends, I got lucky, because I saw the GP on Monday, she faxed the referral that day, and I got a call yesterday from the Dermatologist's clinic (we'll call him Derma #4) saying they had a cancellation and I could come in today. So I jumped at the opportunity!
So, today I was eager for my appointment, and was trying to not expect too much from Derma #4. I could walk to the clinic as it was near work, and although I had to wait a half hour to see Derma #4 once I got there, I was patient (ha ha ha) since at least this appointment was so much sooner than I expected. [I heard the receptionist today on the phone saying that new referrals were booking into February]. Anyway, here's the outcome of my appointment: Derma #4 was pretty good, he actually had a dermatoscope (and used it!) and now I have an appointment NEXT WEEK for the removal and biopsy of the 3 lesions as recommended by the Detroit clinic. Woohoo! Glad I cancelled that December 3rd appointment now.
So, here's the weird part that I don't want you to get all upset about. So, before we go on, please promise me in your head that you're not going to freak out. OK. Thanks. So, he also recommended that instead of doing further surgery on the original BCC site, he wants to kill the remaining cancerous cells in that area with chemotherapy. OK, so I know how that word sounds - scary right? - but it's really OK. Really! Its just a topical chemotherapy (a cream) that we do at home, put on and left on for exactly 8 hours once a day for two weeks, then off for two weeks, then on again for two weeks. It's a really new treatment for BCC and I'm interested in trying it. So I have the meds and tonight will be day #1 of week #1. [Despite my appreciation for the care I got in the US, I am grateful for my company's benefit plan which covered 100% of the cost of this expensive treatment, and I'm assuming that would probably not be the case in the US.]
After I've used it for a few days, I'll post back on how it feels, and also post a picture of the lesion as it gets barraged with chemicals. Wish me luck!
You know the expression "when the cat's away the mice will play"? Well, this mouse knew that her regular GP was on vacation this week, so I went to his temporary replacement (a doctor I've seen before and like) and asked her to refer me to another dermatologist. Remember that my GP discouraged me to get a second opinion? That was why I went to the clinic in Detroit. But now I need a dermatologist here who can carry out the instructions from the visit to the clinic (further care to the original BCC lesion, and 3 more lesions removed for biopsy). So temp GP referred me to a dermatologist she said was fantastic, but it could be quite a wait to see him. I agreed because I was hoping he was well worth the wait. Before I left the doctor's office I cancelled my Dec. 3rd surgery appointment with the clinic's dermatologist, having decided that I would now wait for the new dermatologist. It was a risky decision, but I didn't want Derma #3 to cut me up anymore!
Well my friends, I got lucky, because I saw the GP on Monday, she faxed the referral that day, and I got a call yesterday from the Dermatologist's clinic (we'll call him Derma #4) saying they had a cancellation and I could come in today. So I jumped at the opportunity!
So, today I was eager for my appointment, and was trying to not expect too much from Derma #4. I could walk to the clinic as it was near work, and although I had to wait a half hour to see Derma #4 once I got there, I was patient (ha ha ha) since at least this appointment was so much sooner than I expected. [I heard the receptionist today on the phone saying that new referrals were booking into February]. Anyway, here's the outcome of my appointment: Derma #4 was pretty good, he actually had a dermatoscope (and used it!) and now I have an appointment NEXT WEEK for the removal and biopsy of the 3 lesions as recommended by the Detroit clinic. Woohoo! Glad I cancelled that December 3rd appointment now.
So, here's the weird part that I don't want you to get all upset about. So, before we go on, please promise me in your head that you're not going to freak out. OK. Thanks. So, he also recommended that instead of doing further surgery on the original BCC site, he wants to kill the remaining cancerous cells in that area with chemotherapy. OK, so I know how that word sounds - scary right? - but it's really OK. Really! Its just a topical chemotherapy (a cream) that we do at home, put on and left on for exactly 8 hours once a day for two weeks, then off for two weeks, then on again for two weeks. It's a really new treatment for BCC and I'm interested in trying it. So I have the meds and tonight will be day #1 of week #1. [Despite my appreciation for the care I got in the US, I am grateful for my company's benefit plan which covered 100% of the cost of this expensive treatment, and I'm assuming that would probably not be the case in the US.]
After I've used it for a few days, I'll post back on how it feels, and also post a picture of the lesion as it gets barraged with chemicals. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Visit to the Clinic
Hello everyone!
So it's now November 9th, which means that yesterday I went to the Karmanos Cancer Clinic in Detroit. I went there primarily for a second opinion and a full skin evaluation from a skin cancer specialist (as opposed to a regular dermatologist).
The visit was exactly what I expected and what I had hoped for from dermatologists here in Canada. Here's a summary of the visit:
1. The doctor reviewed all my previous dermatological files BEFORE my appointment.
2. She explained BCC to me and also explained Dysplastic Nevi Syndrome, and the risks of associated with both disorders.
3. She gave me informative pamphlets on these skin issues - and I know that must sound pretty trivial, but to have something in hand when you're being told about a health concern, it's great to have something tangible to look at, sanctioned by your doctor, instead of searching for information for yourself on the internet.
4. She took more than a half hour to look at every inch of my skin - after a resident doctor did an initial review.
5. For those moles and lesions that she thought were unusual with the naked eye, she used what she called a "dermatoscope" to look at them up close. The dermatoscope was a handheld microscope like thing that she put right against the skin to see a lesion up really close. She could also measure the size of each lesion with the same tool.
6. She told me that she would like to see three more lesions removed, and circled them for me, took pictures of them, and will send me a detailed report of all of her recommendations for me to bring to a dermatologist here. I could go to her clinic there, but the 4 hour drive to Detroit is BO-RING!
7. She is going to have the Karmanos Cancer Centre pathology unit review the pathology slides from the biopsies I've already had done, to make sure that they didn't miss anything.
So, all in all, you'd have to say "wow, now there's a thorough doctor's visit"! Despite the new lesions that need to be removed, I'm very positive about the outlook and I know that I did the right thing in getting a second opinion. For your entertainment, here are the photos of the lesions she wants me to have removed and biopsied. These are #1 and #2:
This is number #3 on the inside of my thigh, which all three dermatologists to date have disregarded:
So it's now November 9th, which means that yesterday I went to the Karmanos Cancer Clinic in Detroit. I went there primarily for a second opinion and a full skin evaluation from a skin cancer specialist (as opposed to a regular dermatologist).
 |
| Karmanos Cancer Centre, Detroit MI |
The visit was exactly what I expected and what I had hoped for from dermatologists here in Canada. Here's a summary of the visit:
1. The doctor reviewed all my previous dermatological files BEFORE my appointment.
2. She explained BCC to me and also explained Dysplastic Nevi Syndrome, and the risks of associated with both disorders.
3. She gave me informative pamphlets on these skin issues - and I know that must sound pretty trivial, but to have something in hand when you're being told about a health concern, it's great to have something tangible to look at, sanctioned by your doctor, instead of searching for information for yourself on the internet.
4. She took more than a half hour to look at every inch of my skin - after a resident doctor did an initial review.
5. For those moles and lesions that she thought were unusual with the naked eye, she used what she called a "dermatoscope" to look at them up close. The dermatoscope was a handheld microscope like thing that she put right against the skin to see a lesion up really close. She could also measure the size of each lesion with the same tool.
6. She told me that she would like to see three more lesions removed, and circled them for me, took pictures of them, and will send me a detailed report of all of her recommendations for me to bring to a dermatologist here. I could go to her clinic there, but the 4 hour drive to Detroit is BO-RING!
7. She is going to have the Karmanos Cancer Centre pathology unit review the pathology slides from the biopsies I've already had done, to make sure that they didn't miss anything.
So, all in all, you'd have to say "wow, now there's a thorough doctor's visit"! Despite the new lesions that need to be removed, I'm very positive about the outlook and I know that I did the right thing in getting a second opinion. For your entertainment, here are the photos of the lesions she wants me to have removed and biopsied. These are #1 and #2:
 |
| Numbers 1 and 2 on my back waiting for removal. |
 |
| Number 3 on my inner thigh (sexy!) |
So these three will be removed hopefully within the next month and biopsied, and then all the other suspicious ones will be monitored; like this one on my foot:
 |
| This one looks to me like a freckle "in real life", but this is the second time a dermatologist wants to "keep an eye on it". |
So, to sum everything up, I'm looking forward to having the three suspicious lesions removed and biopsied, and I'm thinking of trying to find a new dermatologist here in Toronto who has experience and expertise in skin cancers. This means if I see "wrinkles, botox and age spots treated here" on signs all over the doctor's office, I'm in the wrong place. If I see gross pictures of gnarly looking skin lesions, I'm in the right place!!!!
I hope this experience has been educational for you as well as for me! Please be sure to look over your skin, no matter how old or young you are. We don't always fit into the "statistical norm". So if a doctor tells you, "you're too young to have XXX", get a second opinion!!! I'll keep you posted on the next biopsies, so stay tuned!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
"The New Plan" and "An Interesting Distinction"
Hi everyone! Well, I've got a new plan, and I'm relieved that I'm not going to have to wait another 6 weeks for some action. I'm taking control and getting a second opinion on my skin lesions from another dermatologist, one who actually specializes in skin cancer. I'm going to the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit http://www.karmanos.org/ I read a few articles about Canadians going down there for second opinions, treatment or even surgery, and after some lengthy conversation with their International Client Care department, have decided to give it a go. You must be asking why I'm going to the US for a second opinion? Well, first of all because my own GP discouraged me from getting a second opinion and I suspect its only because of his ego (he owns the practice and "would only hire the best"). Well, she may be the best, but her specialty is cosmetic dermatology. That's "the interesting distinction" that I hadn't considered before: each dermatologist has a specialty, and I should have know from the fancy sign in the GP office "spider veins, botox, etc." that Derma #3 doesn't specialize in cancers of the skin. So, I made sure that the doctor I'm seeing, and actually - her team will review my case as well while I'm there - specialilzes in skin cancer. Thank you. Now THAT makes sense to me. And other than an annoying 4 hour drive to get there, the consultation and assessment and recommendations is going to cost me $400 USD. I think my peace of mind is worth $400 USD. Not to mention that I get to see her in 10 days! Thank you Lord! So I'm off to Detroit for my appointment on November 8th. And you can be sure I'll have a lot to report to you after that.
In the meantime, have I reminded you lately to check your skin? Especially those areas that get lots of sun and that you might not remember (shoulders, nose, ears, legs, tops of your feet)! Go, do it now!
In the meantime, have I reminded you lately to check your skin? Especially those areas that get lots of sun and that you might not remember (shoulders, nose, ears, legs, tops of your feet)! Go, do it now!
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