My mom has a lesion on the bridge of her nose. We will have to take her to get evaluated. She's 100 and has many problems, vision, etc. I'm heartbroken about this new development. I'm her burnt-out caregiver.
At 93, my mom, residing in a NH, developed a black spot on the side of her nose.
Fortunately, the was a dermatologist who called in every few weeks. My mother had had melanoma in the past and was very upset by this growth. The dermatologist said it looked like a melanoma to him and that at the very least, he needed to biopsy it in his office to determine what should be done
We had mom transported to his office via ambulette and hired one of the C NH As from the facility to come along. I met them at the office
The doctor did a "punch biopsy" in order to get as much of the growth possible in one shot.
It turned out to be a badal cell carcinoma. (I don't think my mom EVER believed that it wasn't melanoma).
There were some cancer cells left at the margins and he gave us 3 choices: do nothing, proceed with Mohs surgery or use a chemotherapy cream for several weeks. We opted for the cream which seemed to take care of the remaining cells
Grandma1954 August 3, 2023 10:02 pm she is 100 years. Honestly I probably would not do anything. If it is not bothering her If it is not painful I would leave it alone. I would wait and see what the dr. says when they examine her. If it is cancer what is the proposed treatment? And more important what is the prognosis long term? At 100 I would think anything other than a local anesthesia would be very difficult. (you do not go into what her other health problems are but that adds to the risk factor) And if she has surgery to remove any lesion will she be able to leave the surgical site alone until it heals? or will she bother it by picking, rubbing it? And surgery is just one component if she needs any further treatment will she and you be able to handle that? Again...I would leave it alone.
Geez.. I’m reading this blog and the answers… I have something on my nose.. I tired liquid vitamin c drops, etc.. not sure if it’s caused most likely the good ole days of olive oil orcdhstecer I had to get a glowing leather skin tan….. sooo, I’m nervous bout going.. my Nextdoor neighbor kid pointed it out to everyone last weekend and I was trying to teach a kid to swim… I looked at her and said keep sunblock on, else you’ll be staring at a spot like this… if that’s not a wake call to me… I’m going to make an appointment soon..
My now 104-yr old Aunt had a full-on horn growing out of her cheek but wouldn't go to the dermatologist. She had it for a few years and just trimmed it with a nail scissors. This past June when I visited her, it was completely healed over. 100% gone.
My MIL in LTC had a sore on her forehead that was there for quite a while. That, too, eventually went away on it's own.
I vote don't fret about it, it's probably nothing or at least not the worst kind of skin cancer. The treatment could cause problems (like infection).
A horn growing out of her face sounds so gross. Glad it's gone but it must have been hard looking at her with a horn growing out of her face for god knows how many years.
I may have it looked at to see if there would be a need to do anything about it. I had basal cell on my cheek near my nose for at least 5 years before I did anything about it. Basal grows very slowly and is not life threatening. If not causing her any pain, may not worry about it. With her skin being so thin, not sure if they could do stitches on her.
Sorry I had to edit the title says skin cancer, I'm really sorry to hear this. I would be in a similar state to you, devastated, but I hope they can do something about it.
Do you best you can and try and get someone to relive you once in a while from the caregiving. in this day and age alone time is one of the pleasures in life, but if you're like me if something was wrong I'd find it difficult to think about anything else except the LO's health.
I wish the best for your mom, amazing 100 years old. I hope it can be treated and she will be ok. Keep looking after her and keep updating us on progress.
That's easy to say but sometimes these cancers can grow and cause pain and/or disfigurement. There was a gent at my mom's NH who had a tumour on his ear that rapidly became the size of a grapefruit and obviously caused him pain, I was distressed that it took so long before they finally got treatment (had to remove most of his ear). (cwillie)
How long have you been your mother's caregiver? Does she live with you (or you with her?)? Does she need a lot of help, and do you ever get any relief from your caregiving duties?
My mom had something on her chest and we opted to live with it (even though she had advance dementia that was her choice), I'm thankful it wasn't somewhere on her face and that it didn't grow aggressively. I hope they can find a treatment that doesn't involve too many appointments (((hugs)))
Fortunately, the was a dermatologist who called in every few weeks. My mother had had melanoma in the past and was very upset by this growth. The dermatologist said it looked like a melanoma to him and that at the very least, he needed to biopsy it in his office to determine what should be done
We had mom transported to his office via ambulette and hired one of the C NH As from the facility to come along. I met them at the office
The doctor did a "punch biopsy" in order to get as much of the growth possible in one shot.
It turned out to be a badal cell carcinoma. (I don't think my mom EVER believed that it wasn't melanoma).
There were some cancer cells left at the margins and he gave us 3 choices: do nothing, proceed with Mohs surgery or use a chemotherapy cream for several weeks. We opted for the cream which seemed to take care of the remaining cells
she is 100 years.
Honestly I probably would not do anything.
If it is not bothering her
If it is not painful
I would leave it alone.
I would wait and see what the dr. says when they examine her.
If it is cancer what is the proposed treatment?
And more important what is the prognosis long term?
At 100 I would think anything other than a local anesthesia would be very difficult. (you do not go into what her other health problems are but that adds to the risk factor)
And if she has surgery to remove any lesion will she be able to leave the surgical site alone until it heals? or will she bother it by picking, rubbing it?
And surgery is just one component if she needs any further treatment will she and you be able to handle that?
Again...I would leave it alone.
if that’s not a wake call to me… I’m going to make an appointment soon..
It required several visits to the dermatologist and was a hassle for everyone involved.
When he passed, they had to really put a LOT of makeup on this spot. It simply wouldn't heal.
She's 100? I'd leave well enough alone. Dad's skin was so fragile the stitches didn't want to 'mend'. And actually, they didn't.
My MIL in LTC had a sore on her forehead that was there for quite a while. That, too, eventually went away on it's own.
I vote don't fret about it, it's probably nothing or at least not the worst kind of skin cancer. The treatment could cause problems (like infection).
Sorry I had to edit the title says skin cancer, I'm really sorry to hear this. I would be in a similar state to you, devastated, but I hope they can do something about it.
Do you best you can and try and get someone to relive you once in a while from the caregiving. in this day and age alone time is one of the pleasures in life, but if you're like me if something was wrong I'd find it difficult to think about anything else except the LO's health.
I wish the best for your mom, amazing 100 years old. I hope it can be treated and she will be ok. Keep looking after her and keep updating us on progress.
Take care.
(cwillie)