Jumping Out Of My Skin
By Wyatt Earp | October 5, 2009
Okay, which one of you guys jinxed me by saying I have seen the doctor far too often lately?
Today I had an appointment with my dermatologist. I have been seeing him for a few years because I have been plagued with psoriasis on my scalp and back. No worries, since the doc is top-notch and his prescriptions have kept things under control. Today was more of the same – the psoriasis has been clearing up and I’ve had no side effects.
Since it was a quick visit, I asked him about a mark on my left temple. It has been really tender for a few months, and would bleed if I scratched it, even lightly. When I told the doc that, he said, “That’s not good.” When I was about to yell, “That’s not something a doctor should tell a patient!” he laughed. He is always messing with me,. probably because I am so easily stressed.
Of course, I had a reason today. My dermatologist thinks it’s skin cancer. He took a biopsy from my left temple – which, even with the local, hurt like hell – and is sending it off to the lab. I have a follow-up appointment next Monday to hear the good/bad news.
Cancer. Swell.
Now, I realize that skin cancer is not really a big deal. It’s certainly not as big a deal as lung or liver cancer, but it’s still freaking me out. I know I ask this a lot, but a prayer or two would really be appreciated about now. I’ll keep you updated.
UPDATE: The doc gave me a local, took the biopsy, and stitched me up. The second the local wore off, it felt like I was getting stabbed in the temple with an ice pick. Hooray.
Topics: All About Wyatt, Cancer | 32 Comments »
October 5th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Prayers are being said.
Also, if you can e-mail an address I can send some goat milk soap to, it works with psoriasis really well. It doesn’t have to be your home if you (understandably) don’t feel comfortable with that.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:53 am
You got one prayer a coming.
The most valuable info my Mother ever gave me was..”No matter how awful or bad or sad things ever get..
never, ever lose your sense of humor.”
With that said, was it your precinct that the guy brought in the live 155 shell?
October 5th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
With you on this one. Two weeks ago the left kidney came out. After the pathology was done, it was cancerous. A mass was found on a CT scan for something entirely different. Big scare for this family. Big Scare!!!!!!!!
I have been sort of tracking things at Parrothead Jeff, on a weekly basis but feel free to get ahold of me if you want. It sounds as though it has been caught early. And that is a very good thing.
The mass on my kidney was isolated to the kidney itself but it was so close to the artery that trying to take the mass itself was too risky. Ya ought to see the incision on the belly!
Remember, this old Seadog is with you on this one.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Kim – Send me an e-mail and I’ll reply with the addy. Thanks.
Jon – It was not, thank God. Although that would be typical of my division.
Glenn – Jesus, prayers going out, sir. Keep me updated. And I still have the massive scar from my appendicitis. 12 stables in my stomach.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
“it felt like I was getting stabbed in the temple with an ice pick”
It could get worse for you, the Eagles could run the table and beat Denver in the super bowl and Charlie Manual could look like a genius when Lidge doesn’t blow a save on the way to another World Series and the Flyers could tease you and loose the Stanley Cup on a game seven fluke goal allowed by a doughnut eating ref and worst of all………They could stop making duct tape!!
Follow the docs orders and take care of yourself!
October 5th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I’d ask for your car, but it’s a Saturn.
If it’s, hopefully, not cancerous, you should punch your doctor in the nuts for making a cancer diagnosis without any tests being done.
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/badguyslayer/th_cockpunch.jpg
October 5th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Prayers going up for you. I’ve had several biopsies done, starting when I was 5 years old, with the latest one being done in my 20s. It’s very scary, but try to keep you mind occupied. Worrying does nothing but get you down. Again, I’m praying for you.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
One other thing to think about:
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20091005/BUSINESS/910050317
Not that would ever stoop that low!
October 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Ed – How bout dem Broncos? Heh. I don’t worry about the Eagles. The Phils have looked like crap the past few weeks, but they’ll bounce back – I think. The Flyers look awesome, but that won’t last.
The Pens will kill me. Lose in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals on a 50-foot shot from center ice.
Randal – That Saturn is now a collector’s item! Thank you, GM. And I’ll be fine. It’s not like I have bad luck or anything. See also: the empty net goal I gave up last night.
Oh, that photo is awesome!
DL – Thank you. Not really worried, because what can I do about it? Bupkis. If it’s not cancerous, I’ll never go outside again without sunscreen.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Ed – Sue me for what? I am a cop and I have four kids. The money isn’t exactly rolling in.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Wyatt, you and the family are in my prayers. Slather the sunscreen on the kids, wife and yourself. Might want to purchase stock in Coppertone or Banana Boat. I wish you nothing but health and happiness.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
He’s “too cool” for sunscreen.
October 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Randall..what about an NASA Moon Suit for Wyatt? Its even sheilded against haz radiation. Would that be cool enough? LOL
October 5th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Everything will be fine.
Keeping you in my prayers.
October 5th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Prayers on the way, Wyatt. Hang tough.
October 5th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Right now, everything is cool. When the kidney came out so did the cancer. But there are yearly scans from here on out. Small price to pay.
The big incision where they took it out through hurts still.I should get my up chit on the 22nd and then it’s off to Edwards AFB and a new job!
October 5th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I will be saying a prayer for you. Thank care.
October 5th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
That should be take. can not spell
October 5th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I had a small bump on my face and becvause it was right where my glasses rested, I would bump it and it would bleed from time to time. TRhew Doctor said lets just take that sucker off. The weeks later he said that it was cancer and he was going back in to do a deep tissue biopsy. Double Crap. Alls well for now. Good Luck.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I just went through the same thing. I had skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) in my left eyelids and eyebrow. I had MOHs surgery a few weeks ago. They seem to think they got it all and I still have my eye and my handsome troll like look.
Skin cancer can be a very big deal and it can spread and kill you. Basal cell is usually not bad if removed in a reasonable time. Squamous cell is a whole other ball game. Please don’t ignore this. Get it taken care of ASAP.
I’ll say a prayer for you. I know it’s a scary thing to hear the doc say cancer when he’s talking about you, no matter what kind of tough guy you are.
Cheer up. you’ll probably be fine. On the other hand, I got dibs on your gun collection. I’m just sayin’…
Joe
October 5th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Shawn,
I have to yell at you. Any type of cancer is not good.
Basil skin is curable.
Melanoma is the most serious of skin cancers. That is what I have. This past Sept. was 6 years. Four more years to go before I get a clear diagnosis. So pray, continue with the sun screen and do not wait on these things. Call me if you have any questions.
aunt noreen
October 5th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Hope its nothing… I’ll throw your name into the nightly prayer just in case….
October 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Prayer said.
October 5th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
MeToo – The family does it, but I rarely use the stuff. Look at me now. I’ve learned.
Randal – Not too cool. Too stupid.
Mrs. Crankipants – Thank you.
Raptor – Absolutely. Hell, I’m playing ice hockey tomorrow night. Stitches aren’t keeping me home.
Glenn – Nice!
Rick – Thanks much, sir.
MUD – If you’re trying to make feel better . . . STOP!
Joe – My worry is that the mark has been there for a while, and I just ignored it. Had I known that it could be cancer, I would have run to the doctor’s office. It wasn’t that noticeable to anyone but me.
Aunt Noreen – I will, thanks. And believe me, I’m no tough guy. I’m scared to death. This will be a terrible, terrible week.
Sully – Appreciate it. I got to be around to win that Bruins jersey on New Year’s Day!
RT – Thanks, RT.
October 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Jeeeeeeeeesh Louise, I leave for a week and all he11 breaks loose. And by the way, you’re too dayem ornery to get something as simple as skin cancer, so stop worrying. Well ok, I know you can’t quite stop, but let us worry, you just do whatever it is ornery detectives do
October 5th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Keeping you in my good thoughts. My dad had skin cancer. Luckily, he had a great doc and kept the tumors under control – mostly little dots that had to be cut away from time to time.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Keeping you in my prayers. Think positive!
October 6th, 2009 at 6:56 am
YOU’RE FINE! Nothing is wrong! All is well!
October 6th, 2009 at 9:38 am
E.L. – Maybe the bile will cure everything? Can’t hurt, right?
B.A. – Not something I’m looking forward to, but it beats the alternative.
Becky – Doing my best. And I’m playing hockey tonight, so I’m not letting the scare keep me down.
GroovyVic – As long as I have the Tylenol, I’m good. Stitches still sting a little.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I have one word for you ‘vitamin D’(Joe Biden joke). Have your Doc test your D levels(like most they are probably low) and start taking 10000 iu a day to get them up. There is a lot of information coming out that low D is a big problem in the fight against skin cancer.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Well crap and double crap! Lots of prayers coming your way!
Well, on the bright side, I’ve had a couple of doctors scare the hell outta of me. One told me I had MS, another told me I had Lou Gehrig’s. BOTH of them were wrong!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Rob D – Sweet! I’ll check it out.
Kate – And thank God for that.