My husband has got really light skin. Therefore, he has to be careful all the time when he goes out in the sun. In Brisbane it was not unusual to take care, but in Tasmania when the sun hardly comes out it is easy to forget. But he is a stickler and he always covers up. But it seems it hasn't helped.
Every 6 months Victor gets a mole scan done. The last one was done in August last year whilst we were on a visit to Brisbane. And since then he kept getting skin lesions. And abnormal looking skin.
I might have mentioned before this that he is a very stoic man who thinks that making a fuss is not on. Therefore, when I saw these skin lesions and wanted him to see a doctor the first answer was a resounding 'no'.
I am dark skinned therefore, I do not have the experience of anyone having these skin lesions, having to go and get mole scans done etc. So, at first I listened to him, but it looked like it was changing and therefore to get him to see a doctor I had to throw a bit of a tantrum. We went to the doctors. The first one was on his arm which was duly excised and sent away to the laboratory for testing. The results came back saying it was a Basal-cell_carcinoma but that it was all removed. Sigh of relief.
Then I noticed there was a skin change on the top of his head. He always wears a hat. How can he get something on the top of his head ? Well, it was taken out and I was a nervous wreck. Mainly, because it was on his head. Yes, I know, they won't go into his brain but after his accident, I am paranoid. The doctor is very good. He cut 4mm across and 1mm deep and again sent away to the laboratory. It came back saying that it too was a Basal-cell-carcinoma and that they hadn't got it all. In the meantime another lesion was growing on his head. Whats with white people and the sun I ask you ?? So the new one was cut out, waiting for two weeks for it to heal and then went back to the old one again. The second one was a BCC as well. So, on to try and clear the first one again, this time going 11mm across. Sent away again to the laboratory. Unfortunately, they still haven't got it all.
So, now we have to go to a skin specialist. The medical and hospital system in Tasmania is really not very good. There are hardly any doctors and no beds in hospitals. My sister in law was in Emergency for 4 days and was sent home because they couldn't find a bed for her. And she had a heart condition.
I called the skin specialist on Monday, the receptionist said, well the doctor has the referral call tomorrow. I called on Tuesday. I was told 'the doctor has the referrals on his desk, there are quite a few there you will have to call on Friday'. I tried to explain to her that I didn't want to wait till Friday. I wanted an appointment as soon as possible. Yes, I am paranoid, yes, I think my problem is greater than anyone elses but I think we all do this ? She then very calmly informs me that his next available appointment is June next year ! What the hell ? But apparently, that is why the doctor looks at the referrals and then decides if it is important or not.
I wonder how he works it out ? I read the referral. All it says is the basic information. How can he decide whether this BCC is going to turn for the worse without even seeing the patient.
Sometimes, I really wish we were back in Brisbane. Tomorrow is Friday. I will call and see whether we can get an appointment with him earlier than June next year. If not I am going to look for another skin specialist even if we have to go interstate !
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