I think I have cancer

I had the spots on my nose, both totally flat like a freckle, looked at by one of Northwestern's transplant dermatologists. I found out that that is what they actually call these doctors.

He and a more junior doctor both peered at the spots and both agreed on the diagnosis of "pre-cancer, squamous cell". Great.

They did not suggest a biopsy, and would have applied the liquid nitrogen right then and there if I had let them. The senior dermatologist did tell me that we could just watch it, that it wasn't going to all suddenly blow up if I did not get it treated immediately. I also had a spot excised on my shoulder (I now have stitches and a 3-inch scar) and another small spot on the opposite shoulder biopsied. I had had enough for the day, and just wanted to go back to my hotel room. I am supposed to meet with the dermatologist in two weeks to have my stitches out, but he is off on holiday (again!) I made an appointment for this Friday but just realised that I must cancel as my younger son's school is doing a furlough day and he will be home with me. (Gah! Save me!) I could swear this spot is shrinking and fading, then will get darker, and back and forth. I don't really want to treat it if they could be wrong, but they both seemed so sure and I trust the more senior doctor. He said it felt slightly 'scaly', but I am thinking it could just be my desperately dry skin.

I was prescribed the tretinoin as requested, but of course my insurance does not want to pay. It is not anywhere near as expensive as I thought it would be, though, so I will probably just pay out of pocket. It is supposed to be very drying for the skin, though, so I may not stick with that treatment.

I will have my stitches taken out locally - as luck would have it, I have an appointment with a new GP exactly two weeks after the dermatology appointment. (I miss my former GP still!)

Glad that things worked out for you, Beth!