New Challenges

First, thanks to all of you who read my blogs. If you have Myasthenia Gravis or know someone who does, I hope you find them helpful and informative.

Sometimes we’re faced with new challenges and I wanted to share one of my new challenges with you. Recently, I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a type of skin cancer, on my face. The biopsy indicated they had not gotten it all, so in a couple of weeks I’ll be undergoing MOHs surgery to remove whatever remains. This is not overly alarming as many people my age end up with skin cancer from over exposure to the sun earlier in life. I bring it up simply as a reminder about the importance of listening to our bodies and pushing a little when a doctor doesn’t seem to give one of your concerns much attention.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. Thankfully, it’s often highly treatable when caught early. I recently lost a good friend (Pete), someone I deeply admired, to melanoma, a very aggressive and dangerous type of skin cancer. Basal cell is not like melanoma in that it’s not nearly as aggressive, therefore it’s much less dangerous. BCC typically appears as a small, shiny bump or a red scaly patch, often in areas exposed to the sun, like the face. It’s actually very common for someone my age to be diagnosed with skin cancer. That doesn’t mean we should get overly alarmed or, on the other side, completely ignore it. It means we need to respect it.

I’m guessing many of you have been diagnosed with skin cancer and undergone treatment. It’s very common and not a huge deal. In fact, I wasn’t going to write about it at all, but something inside me told me maybe I should. Perhaps there’s someone who reads this who would benefit.

For me, it started as a red scaly patch that just didn’t seem right. I went to a dermatologist 3 years ago in another state and they “froze” it off using liquid nitrogen. It came back. A year ago, I saw a different dermatologist and again, he used liquid nitrogen to freeze it. It came back again. I recently saw a different dermatologist who biopsied it and found it to be skin cancer. He’ll now perform MOHs surgery to remove the rest of it.

I’ve learned from experience that when a dermatologist walks into a room with a liquid nitrogen canister before even looking at you, maybe it’s time to find a new dermatologist. Now, in their defense, the spot on my face may well have been non-cancerous or pre-cancerous when they previously froze it off and that may have been an adequate approach at the time, but in my mind, it was a quick easy fix. Both of those previous dermatologists asked very few questions before grabbing the bottle.

I have to confess, my bitterness towards my previous two visits to a dermatologist put me in a position where I had decided to quit seeking any treatment whatsoever when it came back this third time, but something my neurologist taught me (and a little nudge from God) changed my mind. I listened to my body and that’s exactly what the neurologist I see for Myasthenia Gravis tells me to do. I became attuned to my bodies’ signal and that awareness led me to once again get treatment. I’m not one to doctor-shop, but in this case, since it kept coming back, I’m glad I went to a different dermatologist and grateful that I did.

I’ll admit the gravity of hearing “cancer” is rather alarming, even in the case of a highly treatable skin cancer. It’s a word that carries weight, stirring up a mix of emotions like fear, uncertainty, even frustration especially when you’re already dealing with a condition like MG. Basal cell carcinoma, however, is usually slow-growing and, with proper treatment like MOHs surgery, has an excellent prognosis. MOHs surgery is a precise technique where thin layers of skin are removed and examined until all cancerous cells are gone, minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Knowing this gives me confidence as I get ready to undergo this procedure.

If you’re managing a chronic illness like MG, you might relate to the mental juggling act of adding another health challenge. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, but it’s also a chance to tap into the resilience we’ve already built within us. This is a manageable situation, something MG has taught me to do well.

I share all of this with you just to reinforce the value of paying attention to your body, and in this case, your skin. Those of us with MG often focus on muscle weakness, fatigue, or medication side effects, but our skin deserves attention too. Sun exposure, even in small doses over time, can increase the risk of skin cancer. I’ll admit, I’ve been terrible about using sunscreen in the past, but this diagnosis has been a wake up call for me.

Here are a few gentle reminders for all of us:

*Check Your Skin Regularly – Look for new or changing spots, or sores that will not heal, especially in sun-exposed areas.

*Wear Sunscreen – A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher can make a difference.

*See a Dermatologist – If something looks off, don’t wait – early detection is key. Don’t be afraid of having something frozen off with liquid nitrogen, but if they grab the bottle before asking any questions, you may want to express your feelings right then and there.

*Advocate for Yourself – Doctors practice medicine. It’s okay to question a treatment or even get a second opinion, if necessary. Sometimes quick remedies aren’t always the best solutions.

To my fellow MG warriors (or “Snowflakes” as my friend Wayne calls them), or anyone facing a new health hurdle, just remember: You’re not alone. We’ve already proven we can handle tough days and this is just another step in my journey. Lean on your community, ask questions, and give yourself permission to feel whatever emotions come up. For me, writing this blog and connecting with all of you is part of my healing process.

As I head into surgery in a couple of weeks, I’m holding onto gratitude. I’m so very thankful for early detection, for modern medicine, and for the strength I’ve gained from living with MG. I’ll keep you updated on how I’m balancing all of this along with MG. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you. Have you faced health challenges alongside MG? How do you stay grounded? Let me know in the comment section below. Together we remain #MGStrong.

Stay strong, keep shining, and don’t forget to check your skin.