A Word to the Wise!

[David Nicholson]

Last October I removed a Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn' shrub suffering from the ravages of Viburnum Beetle. In so doing one of the sharp, whippy little branches pierced my cheek, not particularly deeply, and it bled a little and I mopped it up, slathered it with Savlon, added an elastoplast and carried on and finished the job.

The problem was that it didn't heal. It formed a scab, which eventually fell off and then made another scab which also fell off and so it went on. In late July The Boss decided that I had played about with the wound for far too long and I should see the Doc. As I always do what I'm told this I did. He had a look, said he couldn't see anything sinister, and took a couple of pictures to send to a Dermatologist who, he said, might wish to see me or might refer me to the local hospital. She did refer me to hospital.

I had an appointment in early August and the Consultant said I had something called Basal Cell Carcinoma (look it up!), a form of skin cancer. When she said that some of the light very quickly left my eyes. She told me that it was a common form of cancer caused by sun damage; that it wasn't a malignant cancer and it wouldn't spread, but if not treated would likely turn into an ulcer over a fairly lengthy period. The treatment, she said, was to cut out the area of my cheek concerned; send a sample for analysis in case something worse was lurking; stitch me back up and send me on my way to await further results. Later in August I got another appointment, at this the cutting was done and sent for analysis. I had to be at the hospital for 7.30am and by 9.15am I was ringing Maureen to pick me up. This week I got the verdict and no further treatment is necessary, and the light in my eyes began to shine again.

Now, I have never worn a hat whilst working in the garden nor have I used sun cream on neither face nor arms (apart from when instructed to do so!) but you can bet your sweet life I DO NOW. If you don't, you know what you could expect and in your case it might just be the "real McCoy".

Here's a picture of the scar five days after the operation and it's healing nicely now. Note my new family name in the file name. Oh, by the way, the white bits over the scar are from surgical glue which was used to stick both sides of the cut together.

I HAVEN'T BEEN SENSIBLE BUT I AM NOW AND IF YOU AREN'T EITHER THEN YOU DAMN WELL SHOULD BE

[Yann]

It was sobering to play the brave man and big arms... take care David! I hope you'll quickly recover

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Dave,
so glad that you had a good result and there is nothing more serious lurking!
We've had a few friends succumb to skin cancer and it a great concern here in Australia,
cheers
fermi

[Matt T]

A cautionary tale for us all, David! Very pleased to hear that you'll not need any further treatment and the light is shining again.
Take care,
M

[ChrisB]

Good gracious, such bad!  Did they say it would have happened if you had not cut it with the saw, or was that the actual cause?

[David Nicholson]

Thanks all.

Chris, I didn't cut it with the saw, it was a branch that pierced my cheek. I didn't really get a proper answer to that question but the implication was that the damage was there lurking and only needed the impetus that the branch gave it to start up.

[ArnoldT]

David:

Glad you're on the mend.  Sometimes a trauma, where local blood flow increases can trigger these things to bloom into growth.

[Robert]

Hi David,

I am glad that you are doing well!

Basal Cell Carcinoma is a fairly common form of skin cancer for those that work out-of-doors here in the hot interior of California. My brother had it. Fortunately it is easily treated.

It is very good news that there is nothing serious and you will be okay.

Continued blessings! 

[David Nicholson]

Many thanks Robert and Arnold.

[kindredspiritkevin]

Glad it's turned out OK. Bit of a shock, though.

[David Nicholson]

Many thanks Kevin.