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Forums > Kitesurfing General

I would have rather been bitten by a shark

Reply
Created by brucex > 9 months ago, 23 Jul 2010
brucex
QLD, 701 posts
23 Jul 2010 9:05PM
Thumbs Up

I know there is a whole thread on skin cancer but I never looked at it till this happened to me.
I am writing this to give people a heads up on doctors and skin cancer clinics.
Here is my story.

I have been religously getting my skin checked anually as I have been in the sun all my life. 18 mths ago I went and asked the doc to check this small lump on the back of my calf - about the size of half a pea -
He said it was not a cancer risk - went back 12 mths ago same thing - nothing to worry about.
2 months ago I decided to to MOle Scan here on the sunny coast - I again pointed out the lump - doc said - NO thats nothing to worry about. 3 weeks ago as part of my annual check at the gp I showed him and he said No nothing to worry about - I said I wanted it out as I thought it had got bigger - size of a pea. SO I booked in to get it out - 7 stiches and a week out of the water. When I went back to get the stiches out I bounced in and said was the patholgy all clear?

HAve a seat - It came back malignant melanoma - 4.3 mm deep which is what they call level 5
There is no level 6 - High indication that you are at risk of having it spread in your body
I got a referal to a specialist to get further margins cut out and also had a full body ct scan which fortunatley came out clear.
On tuesday I had further surgery to get a 4cmm x4 cmm x 2cm deep shark size chunk cut out to make sure
I just got the call from the surgeon - all clear - no cancer cells found thank god.

I have just had the biggest shock and scare of my life - zero on the fun scale.

So my warning to all - get a second opinion - and if you are concerned go to dermatologist



-
If I had let this go as was suggested by 2 doctors - I would have had a bad prognosis -

I am now out of the water - for 3 weeks - 20 odd stitches - I have missed out on going to Bali for our coaching camp - BUT I should be ok in the long run although I will need regular monitoring.


me in recovery throwing up from the anasthetic


taxi
QLD, 416 posts
23 Jul 2010 9:17PM
Thumbs Up

Something was telling you Brucex , it"s gota come out and just as well . You will be back in the water before you know it .

dunk
WA, 88 posts
23 Jul 2010 7:24PM
Thumbs Up

Mate - so glad it's all good! I've got one on my leg I need to get checked out - I'm gonna speed up the process now for sure. Hope you're back out there soon.

dunk
WA, 88 posts
23 Jul 2010 7:24PM
Thumbs Up

Just goes to show - you gotta go with your gut instinct. Your body knows.

CarlBevo
NSW, 609 posts
23 Jul 2010 9:50PM
Thumbs Up

well done for not being lazy and pursuing your gut instinct so little effort for such a massive gain

Skid
QLD, 1499 posts
23 Jul 2010 9:53PM
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^^^ agree with Dunk. Still learning to trust gut feel.
Brucex, hope you get well soon. Thanks for sharing

the gibbo
WA, 776 posts
23 Jul 2010 8:52PM
Thumbs Up

good luck mate that //// is pretty scary

thanks for telling us the story, youve already helped me be more aware ta

orynoco
QLD, 271 posts
23 Jul 2010 11:06PM
Thumbs Up

The guts the way to go, but's whats that in your right hand?

chronic
NSW, 318 posts
23 Jul 2010 11:26PM
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hey bruce glad you came out allright - a close call , too close ,lucky you were proactive enough and had the sense to get a 2nd then 3rd opinion. having been through this 2 years ago i know the feeling only too well.

get well soon and back on the water , and buy yourself a couple of lotto tickets as lady luck is on your side it seems

for those of you who don't know this - Bruce by having the melanoma sink over 4mm into his body and having it taken out - is extremely serious to say the least,best news is that he has no more evidence of it having spread further

any docs reading this can proberly elaborate a bit better than i ever could. there are cases of people having a much worse outcome than this on melanomas sinking in only 2-3 mm

if you're in Sydney - go find Dr Rick Wilcox at South Coogee, he's the best doc here for this.

PsYLoR
QLD, 927 posts
24 Jul 2010 10:27AM
Thumbs Up

Good to here you got it all Bruce, I hope you have a speedy recovery

Ive had one taken out of my shoulder, its no fun feeling perfectly fine and having chunks taken out of you.

brucex
QLD, 701 posts
26 Jul 2010 3:24PM
Thumbs Up

I know that you all wanted to see the real action
Can you believe all this to remove something that is 4.3 mm - the size of a pea
It was actually bigger than I expected - they cut a chunk 7cm long 4 cm wide and 1.2cm deep



I now have to get check every 3 mths for the next few years to make sure there is no more that pop up - prettty serious business - So dont be complacent go get checked.

NJPornstar
WA, 790 posts
26 Jul 2010 1:32PM
Thumbs Up

Awe **** that's no good Bruce.
Hope all goes well, 3 weeks aint too long.
You'll only miss about 5 or 6 sets of weather systems


brucex
QLD, 701 posts
26 Jul 2010 3:49PM
Thumbs Up

hope to be back in the water next week
Wooohooo

ApatheticEnd
WA, 995 posts
26 Jul 2010 3:20PM
Thumbs Up

Holy crap.

Kick the doctors in the balls?

Surfer62
1357 posts
29 Jul 2010 4:24PM
Thumbs Up

Bruce,

Good advice, stay well.

cheers

PS: Thanks for the advice on beach conditions in Bali last year, much appreciated, back there next week.

firiebob
WA, 3158 posts
30 Jul 2010 7:18AM
Thumbs Up

Hey Bruce, great to see it's all good now mate and good advice I'm now sitting here waiting to make an appointment with my Doc

You should have stayed in FNQ, just drizzly overcast gutless gusty days here now

SurfConnect
QLD, 1674 posts
30 Jul 2010 9:39AM
Thumbs Up

Ouch, glad it's all clear mate. Hope you get back on your feet in no time. Sadly one of my team riders Jayden doenst have such good news. 2 weeks ago he was told he has a brain tumor and will give him blackouts anytime anywhere. He is not to drive, and of course, no going in water anymore. He is only 18. :( We often take for granted who we are and what we have. Treasure life.

sir ROWDY
WA, 5353 posts
30 Jul 2010 8:48AM
Thumbs Up

Yes very sad news for Jayden Hope you get better dude.

brucex
QLD, 701 posts
30 Jul 2010 11:23AM
Thumbs Up

Man that sux - 18 is way too young -
I am sending him positive vibes -

I get my stitches out today - and off to Bali on Sunday for our second wave camp.
thanks for everyones wishes on my little saga.


I have a new saying for people with a skin cancer concern
When in doubt
Whip it out!!

Ptussy
WA, 86 posts
30 Jul 2010 5:16PM
Thumbs Up

Thanks for the story Bruce - I really hope it is gone for good.
I'd like to add a third line to your saying: And make sure it get it tested (this doesn't always happen, and it is so important).

Capt.Gumby
VIC, 347 posts
30 Jul 2010 8:20PM
Thumbs Up

Thats no good Bruce but hopefully that is the last of it. Hope you have a speedy recovery and are back on the water in no time.

Cheers



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"I would have rather been bitten by a shark" started by brucex