So my wife walks in and nonchalantly informs me she has cancer...

[180gROC]

Yeah... I'm sitting here finishing a post about selling my landlords stuff to make rent, and my wife gets home from her dermatology appointment casually telling me she has skin cancer.

Her daughter got her a tattoo for Mother's Day. Good thing, apparently. There were some weird complications, allergic reactions and such. She has fair skin and lots of tattoos, and it wasn't the normal go. Some redness and swelling. Eventually that passed, but a lump appeared in the border of the tat, and grew quick.

It bothered her, and she went to see her adult med doctor over it. Her regular doctor on vacation, she saw someone else, who told her a month ago that it was probably a continuation of an allergic reaction. (whoops) My wife works part time for the hospital group, and insisted on a referral to dermatology, where the doctor she insisted seeing was a patient of her infertility clinic and familiar to her.

So that appointment was today, and that doctor diagnosed the now dime sized lump as cancer. A test will confirm within the week, but she put the odds as very high and is calling the test a formality.

So they cut it out, basically core sampling her bicep. She says they will go back in and cut out more if they have to, but that the doctor seemed confident it shouldn't be hard to knock back. Apparently the agitation from the tattoo allowed for an early diagnosis and that makes the treatment easier and more effective.

The doctor even took care to stitch the tattoo back together properly...

She's trying not to show it, but my wife is still shaken up, and so am I. I spend half my waking hours trying to keep things right around here, and the other half convincing her that there's nothing to worry about because everything's been kept right. Hands are kinda tied on this one. Not much I can do but support.

 

[Makeitstop]

Oh, man. Here's hoping for the best for you and your wife, bud.

My wife went through breast cancer back before we were married, and I know how harrowing even the thought of it can be.

It sounds as though she's in good hands. Best of luck to her, and to you.

- D

 

[Gyroman]

Sorry to hear this. At least it was diagnosed fairly early and as you say makes treatment more likely to succeed. I don't do prayers as such, but send my best wishes to you both. (Probably amounts to the same thing...)

 

[Lampens]

Good luck to you and your wife man.

 

[brianugly]

Dang my wife had ovarian cancer twice, and last year we had another scare that turned out to be ok...so I definitely know what you are going through. Cancer is a bitch.

Good luck to you and her; fight it with all you got!

 

[Phoenix59]

A dear friend of mine is dealing with cancer in her vertebrae. That's the one thing, even with all the medical issues I deal with (aftereffects from a head-on car wreck, diabetes, kidney failure) that I suspect would shake me to the core. I keep urging my wife to quit smoking because I'm afraid she'll wind up with cancer.

Glad to hear that they were able to catch it early. See, getting tattoos does have its practical side. (Makes note to go get another tat)

Best wishes for you and your wife.

 

[Agave_Blue]

I hate cancer.


Best wishes to her for a speedy and safe recovery.

 

[mudfinger]

I'm hoping there'll be many, many years of jokes between you and the missus about how that tattoo helped save her life.

 

[Strikerfox]

Good luck, good thing they caught it quickly.

Depends on what type of cancer it is, skin cancers can be much easier to treat, especially before it metastasizes.

Our wishes are with your family.

 

[Howard2k]

Wow, all the best. Good job they caught it early.

 

[180gROC]

I'm hoping there'll be many, many years of jokes between you and the missus about how that tattoo helped save her life.

So far the only joke I've been able to muster has been asking her how much her life insurance is worth. It seems tasteless, but it's an ongoing joke between us. Usually it's the other way i.e. "I'd push ya over the cliff but your unemployed ass doesn't have any life insurance anymore"

I am VERY glad she laughed. I'd be in a bad place if she didn't take that well.

She seems way too calm. Normally it's her freaking out and me with the plan. Seems like we got this one backwards.

 

[Dan]

It's never good news to hear, but it sounds like you guys are incredibly lucky and have the best circumstances, given the situation. I wish both of you the best. Remember, a positive attitude will do wonders. Stay strong, buddy.

 

[180gROC]

Thanks to all for the well wishes. We are incredibly lucky. Her job at Kaiser gives her basically free healthcare and an "in" with some doctors we trust and are friends with.

The infertility doctor she works for is freaking out more than we are, and I'm sure is on the phone with the dermatologist as we speak. She really is in good hands. Things could be a lot worse...

 

[Lyrica]

I'm glad she's in good hands, cancer is a real bitch. I'll mention you both in my prayers.

 

[es345guy]

Hey 180, I am sorry to hear that news man -sending good vibes. I really enjoy reading your posts and you seem to be a good dude. Always happens to the good people doesn't it? I am hoping for the best for your wife and you as well. Stay strong bro and be her rock -cancer is such scary stuff. Will definitely keep yall in my thoughts.

 

[Wizzle]

Good luck. Cancer is the scariest word in the English language.

 

[rcole_sooner]

Prayers on the way.

 

[Bloozcat]

At this point without the biopsy results you probably don't know if it's a carcinoma or melanoma. But, since the doctor seemed to think they could "knock it back" without difficulty, I'm inclined to believe that it's a carcimoma, (basal cell or squamous cell)...which is a good thing. That type of skin cancer is generally localized and readily treatable without follow up problems.

My wife has fair skin and occasionaly gets these carcinomas. With proper, regular checkups with the dermatoligist, it's not difficult to control. It's the word "cancer" that scares the crap out of you, still.

Best wishes for both of you, and be extra kind to your wife through this...she'll appreciate it.

 

[180gROC]

At this point without the biopsy results you probably don't know if it's a carcinoma or melanoma. But, since the doctor seemed to think they could "knock it back" without difficulty, I'm inclined to believe that it's a carcimoma, (basal cell or squamous cell)...which is a good thing. That type of skin cancer is generally localized and readily treatable without follow up problems.

My wife has fair skin and occasionaly gets these carcinomas. With proper, regular checkups with the dermatoligist, it's not difficult to control. It's the word "cancer" that scares the crap out of you, still.

Best wishes for both of you, and be extra kind to your wife through this...she'll appreciate it.

Yeah I'm only a couple google searches into my studying of all that. Sucks we have to wait a week for lab results.

My second joke on the subject... I told her she would have to submit to my frequent nekkid full body skin checks, even more so than already...

 

[TeleDog]

I'll remember you guys in my prayers! You guys got a lotta miles ahead of you, and God knows that!