307- Dermatofibroma part 5 : It's a DFSP !

I wished that today would be the very last episode in my Dermatofibroma series, as I went to the dermatologist who retrieved my 8 stitches in just under 2 minutes and I only felt a sharp pain for 5 seconds - which is much better than lat time at the nurse's where I had a panic attack & mostly fainted.



But, NO, this isn't the last of it... there will be more parts, at least 2, to this saga. First, it's not a simple Dermatofibroma, it's actually called Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, or in short DFSP. (I'll let you read details on that wiki article, and know that there are no graphic gory photos on it, just very basic images).

This condition is classified as Sarcoma, more specifically a cutaneous soft tissue sarcoma, which is a form of cancer. In matters of skin cancers, it's not as bad as a melanoma, for instance, but could become rather annoying. 

It presented itself as a basic pimple, which started to swell a tad bit, and to scab. So, back in October, I showed it to the dermatologist, who subsequently took a sample - about half of it and sent to the lab ; who to me, said it wasn't conclusive, but had already suspected DFSP ;But, I guess not to alarm me needlessly, asked that I get the rest removed for further analysis, and this diagnosis is the result today.

Upon lab's reply to the dermatologist with this confirmed suspicion, he and other dermatologists had a sort of staff meeting where they discussed this case, to elaborate together a possible treatment. As you saw from the wiki above, there is only 1 case in 1,000,000 people, and only 2-5% of them can metastasise, which makes me a very rare case. Hey, I already knew I was special, and really didn't wish to be special with this! Can I wake up ? No ? Ok, so, what's next ? 

Next, I see a specialist next month, who'll decide on 

• MRI (my regular dermatologist thinks it's not necessary but differs opinion to the specialist)
• Date for another surgery. This one, called Slow Mohs, shall be with a local anaesthesia (which is good for me, and would have requested even if it were standard for Slow Mohs.)  

During said surgery, there will be someone from the lab, with a microscope, checking progression of cell retrieval, to make sure that all cells that might come back are all taken out, before they close it up, so I wouldn't have to go for multiple surgeries. I would assume that due to this microscope check-up that the procedure is longer, and that my wife wouldn't be allowed in the room so I'll need to ask the doctor next month if I can bring music or something to help me cope with it all. 

The good news ? 

• That it's in my leg, as it can happen elsewhere - it tends to be on the chest, where its closer to organs, which could be more complicated.
• That it seems to have been caught very early on. The lab results shows minimal metastatic activity - which is great. It means I may not also need radiation treatment. 
• I have health coverage throughout all these procedures.
• That Slow Mohs is now done in my city. A few years ago, doctor would've sent me to Paris. I save on all that hassle! 

What will I have ? 

• My wife and friends have already supported me thus far with previous chapters and shall continue farther. I will need you, my friends, more than ever, to keep my spirits up and to maintain contact, to offer your support and distract me as you have been helping with my mental health already. 

What do I need ? 

• Patience
• Positivity, despite my chronic depression, I must strive to use positivity to help my recovery
• Take care to systematically eat well, with anti-cancer foods, good ones for recovery and overall strength.
• Continue my B12 supplementation, and make sure that I don't start lacking in others.

What's next-next ?

My wife & I shall check my skin regularly, to make sure nothing else shows up. 

I'll have regular appointments with the dermatologist, to make sure nothing of this comes back.