Not only alopecia, but now skin cancer to boot!

So I went to the dermatologist for a skin check, by the way she didn't even mention anything about my alopecia to me probably because I told her that I stopped treatment but she didn't even seem interested in anything about it. I have had a little bubble type thing on the top of my head for probably about 6 months now, maybe a little longer. It has popped and come back a few times. I thought it was just maybe a wart or something..well it isn't. It is FRIGGIN skin cancer!!

So not only do I have alopecia and losing my hair, which I have come to terms with at this point in my life, but because of my alopecia now I have skin cancer on the top of my head. All those years when I said, oh I don't need a hat or anything, I am fine..well now I am regretting it! Atleast my scalp isn't exposed to the sun anymore now with my wig, but come on!!

I haven't officially heard it from my doc yet or heard what we need to do from here yet, but just had to vent. Hopefully they will just have to go in and maybe take some more skin and tissue from around the area. Hopefully we caught it soon enough so that they won't have to do more.

So moral of the story, cover your head, wear sunscreen, be careful! Even if you don't want to!

Views: 342

Comment by AJ on August 16, 2011 at 6:25pm
Hey Julie - how awful, sounds like you've had a really horrid day!!! You must be in shock and emotions all over the shop, but really hope as you say that it's been caught early.
My mum had it and she was lucky, they cut off the cancerous mole and she didn't need more treatment. Really hope it's the same for you.

Don't beat yourself up about having had your head exposed. Most of us are guilty of not being covered up or slathered in high factor SPF every time we're in the sun, but this wasn't your fault at all - sometimes we never know who's going to be struck by what, and most of the time you can't do anything to prevent it. It's just one of the ways that life can sometimes seem cruel!!

Important thing now is to be kind to yourself and be around supportive friends and family - and I really hope the doctors can sort it out swiftly and pain-free as possible for you. x
Comment by Julie G on August 17, 2011 at 8:19am
THanks AJ and Tan! Always good to know that I always have support on AW!!
Comment by Sanah Jivani on August 17, 2011 at 12:28pm
I'm so sorry to hear about that. Keep your head up, you've been strong for all these years, and i know you can do it again. :)
You will definitely be kept in my prayers! Good luck!
Comment by Carol Sue Cain on August 18, 2011 at 12:03am
What if the cancer would have happened even if you had hair...and you wouldn't have noticed? I know, I know, I'm making lemonade out of lemons. OK, the truth is it sucks. Sorry you have to go through this.
Comment by Joanna (Caitlyn's mum) on August 20, 2011 at 2:27pm
Hi Julie,

I just want to say that i'm sorry you have to go through this but hopefully they will have caught it in time and you WILL be fine..... keep strong :-)
Comment by Julie G on August 23, 2011 at 10:02am
Well, it is a basal cell carcinoma, so it is thankfully one of the easier skin cancers to treat. I have to wait for 6 weeks for the biopsy site to heal before they can go in again. So on 10/28 I will be having a MOHS procedure, which is good because they will take layer by layer until all of the cancer is gone. They will examine each layer as they go under a microscope to make sure that it is all gone before I go home. It is going to be a long morning, but atleast I know that it will all be gone. Thank you all for your kind words and support! and make sure you use your sunscreen!!
Comment by Tallgirl on February 11, 2012 at 8:17am

How are you now, Julie?

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