I mentioned earlier that I had a dermatology appointment. I got the results from the biopsies and all are basal cell carcinoma (BCC). While I’d rather not have any bad cells, BCC’s aren’t as bad as the other types of skin cancer because the chance of it spreading to other parts of the body is much lower.
While I hoped they’d just whack these off in the office, I instead have to go to the surgery center. Even though one spot is on my face, it doesn’t require Moh’s surgery — and that’s good news. It’s so tiny there’s not a huge worry about scarring, but a plastic surgeon was the recommended option.
What is that frosty blow torch anyway?
At my last appointment, the dermatologist used a blow torch looking thing to blast-freeze spots that she said were ‘pre-cancer,’ along with other spots where the skin needed to be gone leaving healthy tissue instead. This ‘blow torch’ is about the size of a fire extinguisher and I want one for home use. 🙂
It’s liquid nitrogen and the process is called cryotherapy. The tissue freezes instantly and after the freezing process is complete, the treated area blisters and scabs over. When the scab falls off it leaves behind healthy skin. If I had my own nitrogen blow torch, I could zap about 10 spots a week and stay busy for the next 5 years or so.
My biggest worry regarding scheduling surgery is my dog.
Hugo spent less than 30 minutes in the crate a couple days ago while I was at Mom’s. He thought he would surely perish in there. It’s so sad to see how certain things impact him — being in a crate (without food or water?) is likely something awful from his days before coming here. I’m just happy he’s good in the car.
Now you know: Margot Kidder (Lois Lane from the original Superman) had a manic breakdown after the laptop she was using to write her autobiography crashed. She disappeared for four days.