USVI-On-Line

Well after years of sun-worshipping (without sunscreen in my teenage years), the damage was done. Just got a call back from the dermatologist this morning following two biopsies on my back. Basal cell skin cancer. On the bright side, this is the most common and curable forms of cancer. I have to have them lopped off in late November. Trying to look on the bright side, although I'm kind of in a weird surreal place right now.

So for all of you going to STT or STJ - - don't forget to bring AND apply the sunscreen (not to get all preachy on you).

Do any of ya'll have similar experiences??? I would think so seeing as we have this common bond of loving the VI beaches/sun. Please share. Frieking out a bit right now...

DELETED

I haven't personally experienced this yet, thankfully. However, I've had several friends who have. They've all had their spots removed and now go to the derm yearly for an exam and are much more careful in the sun!

It's a good wake up call for all of us that the sun is awesome, but also dangerous!

Prayers that yours will just be removed and that'll be the end of it!!

Unfortunately, I had basal cell on my forehead several years ago. Dermatolgist did a great job and I have a minor hairline scar. I do go back once a year and have had other things zapped off. He says that it's damage done when we were young. I wear 30 all the time (craziliy, I still get tan) and I wear a hat to protect my face.

Good luck in November.
nb

I'm sorry to hear that LLBL.

My Dad the ex-sun worshipper has been dealing with basal cell sarcomas for about 3 years now. The first time he had a huge one taken off his back--one that he knew about forever and ignored, despite the entire family pleading with him to do something about it.

At about the same time that he finally got that one off, he had about 20 different ones removed from his scalp, face, and ears. Some of those were just able to be zapped off, some required stitches. Then later he had a few more new ones taken off his legs. Just two weeks ago he had yet another one removed from his leg that required 175 stitches! (mostly internal). He really has to stay on top of checking himself, because they keep popping up.

My brother had a basal cell growth removed from his back when he was 9. No further recurrances though.

The good news is that it is very treatable.

When you see the very pale person out there snorkeling in a long t-shirt and board shorts, with a rag wrapped around her head, you will know it is me.

Best wishes on the emotional and physical aspects of dealing with this and we should appreciate the words of warning you were willing to share.

This is why I now wear a rash guard shirt all day long when in the islands or at the beach.

Im having some areas zapped this winter. Good luck LLBL, Im sure you will be A-OK. Just say "YES" to sunscreen, especially when it comes to the kids!!

I also had one removed last year ... didn't know it was basal cell until they took it off. It is a strange feeling at first ... it's the 'cancer' thing that makes you think. So - as everyone else has said and everyone know WEAR THE SUNSCREEN. Especially the us with light skin (I'm a redhead).

Best wishes in November !
Pam

LandLockedBeachLover

First, let me say how sorry I am to hear your news.

I know what it’s like to get the news that you have cancer. My wife got the news earlier this year that she had a very rare lung cancer. The good news is - it sounds like you have a very treatable cancer. My wife and I fully know about the rollercoaster that you’re on.

If I may offer some encouraging words:
Research the hell out of it and go to the very best place you can to have it treated.

Knowledge is power and this can be beaten. My wife had her 3 month check up recently and is cancer free.

Positive attitude is a marvelous thing – do not sell it shore.

Please feel free to PM me with any questions. My wife’s situation has changed our lives and we’d like to help in any way.

God Bless, our prayers are with you.

Hi LLBL -

Very sorry to hear the news and I hope your procedure to remove the spots is sucessful. Thanks to for the reminder that we all need.

I have one son who is a magnet for sunburns and we make both our kids wear sunshirts all the time along with wide-brimmed hats. They may look like weirdos on the beach, but they are well protected and might just thank me when they're older!

All my best to you!

Tracy

LLBL,
I am sorry to hear the news too. It must be a shocker even if it is the less serious kind. As a teen I worshipped the sun too and my Mom was like that. We would literally burn with baby oil on and back then in the 70's we really didn't know it was so bad. I have darker skin and I hope that is on my side but I keep thinking my day will probably come. Best of luck and I will say a prayer for you.

Good luck on the treatment. I figure it will be my turn soon.

One of my buddies is dealing with the same thing on his nose. After a positive biopsy, they had to do a good bit of surgery. The good news is that they are doing microscopic tissue sparing surgery for things like this. It is amazing how well things healed up.

Cheers, RickG

Sorry to hear your news. I had four places treated on my face about a month ago that were precancerous. I'm one of the fair skined folks (red head) you see on beaches colored lobster red LOL. Best of luck with the removel.

Thanks all for your well-wishes! It sure does help.

Liamsaunt -- good grief!! Your dad sounds like he is having a REALLY bad time of it!

FLAGeorge -- way to make me cry at work! Seriously, I know you both have been dealing with a situation that can't EVEN compare to mine, so your kind words really do mean so much.

One other thing to pass along. THe 2 spots I had weren't even the reason I went to the dermatologist. I just had a full body scan since I was already there - - as an afterthought. The areas were very small (<1 mm), pearly-white raised bumps and not these black/red monstrous growths. I never in a million years would have suspected these to be skin cancer. PLEASE PLEASE all of you go once/year for a full body scan! Just goes to show, even though you read all the articles to examine yourself, ONLY A PROFESSIONAL CAN DETERMINE WHAT IS AN AREA OF CONCERN!