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carpetman
11-29-2005, 10:35 AM
I have a small sore under my nose,and I thought was an ingrown whisker. Been there too long,so finally went to the Dr. Did biopsy and it is cancer----but they said not the dangerous type. I was feeling pretty good about it. They said I need MOHS surgery. My understanding this was named after the surgeon that developed it and it consists of cutting,checking,cutting and checking until they get it all. They said they get 100% clear margins this way. The other way (Just cut once and hope)they only get 10% clear margins---so good chance it comes back. This MOHS may mean there aint nothing left to come back to???? Well they set me up an appointment in Abilene for the surgery. Seems the only surgeon in San Angelo that does it wont accept Tri-Care(military health insurance). So I was feeling pretty good about it all. Then I get a letter from the Dr's office about my appointment. They gave instructions of what to do. Eat regular meal night before. Shower and shampoo night before. And BTW don't take any blood thinners for 3 days and wear old clothes. That has tones of a butcher shop. Been reading the thread on how long to hang meat. Guess I can take consolation that they expect me to live as they usually bury you in good clothes----so maybe the old clothes is a good sign. This ordeal will be next Tuesday. Anybody out there that has had MOHS have anything to offer?

7br
11-29-2005, 11:05 AM
Carpetman: My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Keep us informed on how things are going.

Humor inserted here:
By the way, I heard most surgeons don't take much lip.

swheeler
11-29-2005, 12:14 PM
Carpetman: our prayers go out to you!
Question: could this be a feline borne disease? ha-ha
Best wishes
Scooter

9.3X62AL
11-29-2005, 12:20 PM
They gave instructions of what to do. Eat regular meal night before. Shower and shampoo night before. And BTW don't take any blood thinners for 3 days and wear old clothes.

Sounds more like the doctor is going to have you do his yardwork to cover the co-payment. :-)

Good luck all around, senor.

BCB
11-29-2005, 12:29 PM
Carpetman,

My wife is a histologist—they process tissue samples, among other things, places them on slides, and a pathologist looks at the processed tissues and determine the problems. In your case, he will look at the processed tissue that will be sliced (a harsh word, I know) from the area of concern. He will then determine if all of the problem cells have been removed. The MOHS procedure is generally done in the facial area so as to not cause undo scaring or nasty looking after surgery stuff (not the medical terminology, but I ain’t a DR!!!), as opposed to just removing a large chuck of tissue. Regardless, she processes many of these during her work responsibilities. They are called frozen specimens as I believe, after the tissue sample is removed, they are actually frozen to be cut by a microtome. That’s a layman’s description. Good-luck…BCB

felix
11-29-2005, 12:34 PM
C-man, not 3 days, make it a full 7 days. Some folks are bleeders and don't even know it. This was the talk around the intensive care floors during my 4 operations over this past year. Hope you don't have any aches and pains over this time period! No pain killers at all! After all this bull sheet, I pray that you come out of this OK. As crazy as you are, there is no problems to be expected. GO-GO-C-MAN!!!! ... felix

Poygan
11-29-2005, 02:32 PM
Well, at least you get to use some of your Tricare benefits now, unless you're near a base.

NVcurmudgeon
11-29-2005, 03:56 PM
Doggone you Ray, quit doing that! Seems like only yesterday You had your heart trouble, and now this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. BTW, Mohs is the name of the scientist who the mineral hardness scale is named for. Be sure to ask the doc if during the surgery he can calibrate your lip in Brinell units, so you can bite an ingot and tell what kind of boolit metal you have. Also, what kind of commie, pinko, Islamofascist, medical outfit won't take a GI health care plan for a career Air Force man?

David R
11-29-2005, 08:33 PM
Good luck carpetman,

I love your posts.

David

waksupi
11-29-2005, 09:00 PM
I have a small sore under my nose,and I thought was an ingrown whisker. Been there too long,so finally went to the Dr. Did biopsy and it is cancer----but they said not the dangerous type. I was feeling pretty good about it. They said I need MOHS surgery. My understanding this was named after the surgeon that developed it and it consists of cutting,checking,cutting and checking until they get it all. They said they get 100% clear margins this way. The other way (Just cut once and hope)they only get 10% clear margins---so good chance it comes back. This MOHS may mean there aint nothing left to come back to???? Well they set me up an appointment in Abilene for the surgery. Seems the only surgeon in San Angelo that does it wont accept Tri-Care(military health insurance). So I was feeling pretty good about it all. Then I get a letter from the Dr's office about my appointment. They gave instructions of what to do. Eat regular meal night before. Shower and shampoo night before. And BTW don't take any blood thinners for 3 days and wear old clothes. That has tones of a butcher shop. Been reading the thread on how long to hang meat. Guess I can take consolation that they expect me to live as they usually bury you in good clothes----so maybe the old clothes is a good sign. This ordeal will be next Tuesday. Anybody out there that has had MOHS have anything to offer?

Ray, I have a friend who had a similar location cancerous zit like yours. Pretty simple deal. He had a fat lip for a few days. They want you to wear old cloths, because you will probably poop your pants when you get the bill, for what amounts to simple surgury. Be sure to warn them, your lips are rated for 90 miles per hour, and you expect full function within twenty four hours. Don't sweat it.

carpetman
11-29-2005, 10:08 PM
NVCurmudgeon--Bill you ask what Doctor wont accept my military insurance? A bunch of them. I'm sure you had already heard or your question would be insurance for a military retiree??? Unlike I'm sure you were told at numerous re-enlistment briefings,we don't get the free health care for life that was promised. Not only is it not free the insurance company sets the rate they will pay and the Dr accepts this lower rate or doesn't get the business. My late brother(retired Navy) had brain tumors. The Air Force Doctors in Wichita Falls,Tx(Shepperd Air Force Base)sent him to a Gamma Knife Specialist in Oklahoma City. (My understanding is that a gamma knife Dr uses radiation but instead of the usual way where it's like say a shotgun blast,this is pin point precision) The Dr used a word my brother had not heard---CURE. My brother had been told he was dying and this gamma knife Dr told him he had a 99% CURE rate. Tri Care turned down the request. I, in turn contacted my Congressman,who in turn contacted the Congressman in Wichita Falls who in turn contacted TriCare. TriCare said they would entertain an appeal. A case of the insurance company playing Doctor. The appeal was submitted and approved and bro went back to the Dr. The Dr said when I first saw you,you were the perfect candidate. But during this delay your tumors have spread and I can do nothing. He died a few months later. I wish I had known what the difference in what they pay and what the Dr charged---I would have came up with the money. Poygan---you ask if I'm near a military installation. Yes,right outside Goodfellow AFB. Goodfellow has a clinic but no hospital. They can do routine things 7:30-4:30 except on one of their numerous training days. During those hours they do offer ambulance service---this is all they have for both active duty and retirees. I got to ride in it when I had my heart attack. Made their day,they love a little excitement now and then.(BTW--I think the reason for no hospital is a political deal to put more money into the local economy). They tried to get me an appointment at Willford Hall---Air Forces largest hospital,located at San Antonio(214 miles from here)but as a retiree,I'm at bottom of priority list. So I get to go to Abilene(86 miles away)for an early morning appointment with a Dr that will work for Tri Care rates and tells me to wear old clothes----sounds good.

drinks
11-30-2005, 11:57 PM
Ray;
Did you really expect , first, a recruiter and second a government to speak the truth?
I really feel for you and hope it comes out well.
Really need more cat eradicators.
I have several here, just they are faster than me, so far.
Also have a double problem, poachers throw deer bones out on the road all year and we have a bunch of feral dogs here, compounded by a county dogcatcher who is 2lazy2P, so I am going to have to move to more aggressive methods.

carpetman
12-07-2005, 12:12 AM
Had the surgery today. So far not nearly as bad as I anticipated. I think they made 5 cuts before it showed clear. Cut and wait and more deadening shots and cut some more. Took a lot longer to sew me up than the Dr spent cutting.

crazy mark
12-07-2005, 12:19 AM
That's good news. We get to put up with you longer this way. I pity the poor cats though. You'll probably be crankier for a while. Mark

wills
12-07-2005, 12:29 AM
Glad you are doing well

waksupi
12-07-2005, 12:39 AM
Sounds like it worked out ok, Ray. Did the old clothes come in handy when they handed you the bill? Or were they going to make you do yard work and kitchen duty, if you hadn't brought your check book?

longhorn
12-07-2005, 12:39 AM
Glad all went well, Carpetman. Don't skimp on the pain meds, and eat your vitamins!

Drinks-watch out for those dogs. In a long series of outdoor adventures with ill-tempered horses, cowbeasts, 3 species of poisonous snakes, and heaven knows how many wild animals, only "feral" dogs have made me think "This might really be it..." Was it on this board I saw the SSS Motto? Shoot, Shovel, and Shut up.

sundog
12-07-2005, 12:54 AM
Ray, good job, buddy. Were the old clothes for when you got the bill? I think I understand, now. Need yern penny back to help out? Really, it's good to have you back. sundog

BruceB
12-07-2005, 08:07 AM
Very pleased that you think it went well, Ray.

It's always nice to find that the reality wasn't as bad as the anticipation. I trust that your Doc did his work well, and that your recovery will be fast and uncomplicated.

Thinking of you, pard....

Bret4207
12-07-2005, 09:02 AM
Uncle Ray- Thoughts and prayers with you. You're to cranky to let this stop you anyways! BTW- You're brothers not the only one who's been on the losing end of that argument.

carpetman
12-07-2005, 10:58 AM
I'm feeling pretty good today,unlike I had anticipated. Slept good last night and not really in pain today,just a swollen lip. Oozed some blood on my bandage and will see if the base will put on a new one. The old clothes weren't needed. There were three of us having MOHS surgery yesterday and the other two were also told to wear old clothes. My co-pay was $12.00 so guess the old clothes were to do hedge trimming if I didnt have $12.00. Thanks for all the well wishes.

Shepherd2
12-07-2005, 02:30 PM
Ray - Glad it's going better than anticipated and that you had the necessary $12. Try to follow the doctors orders.

Longhorn - I think the Shoot, Shovel and Shut up motto originated with sheep breeders. If someone mentions it at a gathering of sheep people everyone smiles and no one says a word.

9.3X62AL
12-07-2005, 02:35 PM
That's good to hear, Ray. For my own part, the more frequent visits to medical staff as I get older are a real PITA.

sundog
12-07-2005, 02:55 PM
C-man, glad to hear you're doing okay. That Tri-care prime is pretty good stuff, eh? I'll keep holding yer penny here at castpics. sundog

carpetman
12-07-2005, 05:51 PM
Shoot,shovel and shut up may have originated by people who breed sheep. Yea you might trace it back to Wapsupi. Err uhhh Waksupi.

SharpsShooter
12-07-2005, 06:45 PM
Glad to hear it went well. I figured they wanted you to wear your old stuff so they could hock your clothing to pay the bill. Speedy recovery to ya!

versifier
12-07-2005, 09:10 PM
Ditto on S3, even up here in New England. Only Game Wardens, LEOs, and livestock farmers can do it legally, (here it's big coyotes and domestic dogs) but it's still easier all around if you keep your mouth shut, unless they kill your sheep and you need to collect. :holysheep

wills
12-08-2005, 12:21 AM
Shoot,shovel and shut up may have originated by people who breed sheep. Yea you might trace it back to Wapsupi. Err uhhh Waksupi.

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~af380/JamiesHooker.jpg

HTRN
12-08-2005, 08:10 AM
Shoot,shovel and shut up may have originated by people who breed sheep.

Sheep breeders may have invented the concept, but the "cat hunting", err, small game forum at Accuratereloading perfected the concept. :mrgreen:


HTRN

Scrounger
12-08-2005, 10:26 AM
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~af380/JamiesHooker.jpg

Wills, how did you get that picture of CarpetMan's girlfriend???