Squamous Cell Carcinoma

[Donna Jean Cruz]

Just told I have Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  Desparately need experiences of those with same.

[GmaBrenda]

I was  having my 6 month check up with my demotologist in June and showed him a small raised surface on my check.  He did a biopscy and it came back as squamous cell cancer.  His exact words were "No big deal"  We scheduled to have surrounding skin removed to "make suer he got it all"  I had the surgery doen on July 9th.  I had 6 stitches removed on the 15th.  It's been a week and I have a hard lump under my skin about the size of a quarter.  I called the doctor office 2 day.  They said it could be an inside stitch trying to desolve and my body is rejecting it. They told me to keep massaging the area as I have been ever since the stitches were removed.  The sacr doesn't look bad at all.  Its just that hard lump that is bothering me now!  Get this!  The biopscy got all of the cancer so the surgery was really for nothing!  BUT, he even told me that it didn't look like anything was there and sometimes when a mark is as small as mine was, the biopscy gets it all but it was better to be safe than sorry.  If this lump is still there in two weeks, I am to go back to the dermotology and have him look at it!  I dont think Im going to wait 2 weeks!  It feels like it gets harder ever day.  No draining or anything.  Just a bit sinsitive and odd to feel!
As for the squamous cell, I did a lot of research on it when I found out I had it cause I was flipping out!  From what I read, it is the highest curable cancer cell and less likely to come back if you have caught it early.  I had my little mark only like a month B 4 I showed the doctor.  I honestly thought it was a blimish or black head at first but then realized it wasn't.  It was same color as my skin and just slightly raised, like a pimple.  Good thing I got it checked early.

Im wondering if anyone else has ever had surgery and developed a hard lump under the area of the stitches?  I'm worried now about that and what I need to do for it to be gone!  I dont want my check on my face to have the quarter sized hard spot!  I am sure its more noticable to me cause its my face!  Everyone says, I cant really see anything or it doesn't look that bad or thats nothing!  But I feel like they R just being nice.  I've always been self consious about my appearance!

[pro728]

How are you coping?

My father is suspected of having it in his throat under the vocal cords. Have you started your treatment?