# My Mom has cancer **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 15, 2001, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507 "2001-05-15T13:36:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/1 "2001-05-15T13:36:20Z")
Fortunately, it’s skin cancer, which is the “best” kind to get. This is the third, or maybe the fourth, time she has had cancer, including Hodgkin’s disease when she was 17. When she complained to her surgeon that she’d had cancer so many times before, he quipped, “You’re still here, aren’t you?” She’s very upbeat and doesn’t seem to be too upset about her upcoming surgery. She’s very tough. I think my sisters and I are much more worried than she is. Last night, I spoke to my friend John, a doctor, and he assured me that the prognosis with skin cancer is usually excellent, which is good news. _Please, go to your dermatologist and get your oddly shaped moles checked out._ For more information about cancer, check out the [American Cancer Society’s](http://www.cancer.org) Web page. Keeping my fingers crossed! ---
**Author:** ![Clucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Clucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clucky)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/2 "2001-05-15T13:41:30Z")
I wish your mother the best. I have two very good friends who have survived lymphoma. One was Hodgkins (less deadly) and other non-Hodgkins. Both are in remission and doing fine. But it’s always scary, no matter the cancer. I refuse to sun bathe because of my fear for skin cancer. And, of course, I quit smoking for the obvious reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Doubleclick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Doubleclick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubleclick)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/3 "2001-05-15T14:12:53Z")
…I hope everything turns out ok. By best friend’s mother died of cancer just yesterday. =`( (Much worse case, of course. Breast, lung, liver, bone and brain.) Fingers crossed dude… ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/4 "2001-05-15T15:46:49Z")
Clucky - thanks for the well wishes and keep up the good work! Doubleclick - That’s terrible. I can’t imagine what your friend must be going through. I hope s/he has a good support network. ---
**Author:** ![Doubleclick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Doubleclick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubleclick)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/5 "2001-05-15T23:25:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vix \* > \*\*Doubleclick - That’s terrible. I can’t imagine what your friend must be going through. I hope s/he has a good support network. \*\* Nor can I. =( I think he’s doing ok…I called him yesterday and I could tell he was hurting. (And this is the type of guy that doesn’t let ANYTHING phase him.) ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/6 "2001-05-15T23:52:30Z")
Good luck and best wishes for your mother, **vix**. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/7 "2001-05-16T00:13:44Z")
Is it basil cell carcinoma? Or squamous cell carcinoma, maybe? My father has had 4 separate basil cell carcinomas removed, with no lasting health effects other than a small scar in each case. I think that if you are prone to them, they will continue to re-occur throughout your life, however they are essentially superficial lesions. I think malignant melinoma is a much bigger deal however. Anyhow, all the best to you and your mom - I’m sure she will do just fine. Al. ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/8 "2001-05-16T02:17:10Z")
My prayers and postive and healing thoughts are with you and your family, **vix.** I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from the skin over my left cheekbone several months ago. They got it all, and it healed without even a scar. It is VERY curable when caught in the early stages. I pray your mom will be as fortunate as I was. **(((((vix)))))** Scotti ---
**Author:** ![Wicked\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@Wicked\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wicked_Blue)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/9 "2001-05-16T03:36:24Z")
Wow, **vix** , I hope everything works out for the best. I went through something similar a few years ago, it was _very_ scary. You and your family are in my thoughts. Rose ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_griffin-kentzel/32/14787_2.png) [@Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Griffin-Kentzel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/10 "2001-05-16T06:20:26Z")
My very best to your mom, **vix**. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/11 "2001-05-16T13:55:02Z")
Thank you, everyone, for your support. I found out yesterday that it is indeed basal cell carcinoma, which is good news. I spoke to another friend of mine who’s a doctor and she said that that type of skin cancer tends not to spread, even if undetected for years. It’s funny how nonchalant my mother is about this, while my sister and I got nervous. I think it’s because, even though this is not very serious, it forces us to think about our parents’ mortality. But Mom said, “I’m going to be around for years. I need to get my revenge”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zappo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b3f665/32.png) [@Zappo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zappo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/12 "2001-05-16T14:20:15Z")
**vix** , my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope everything turns out well. Zappo ---
**Author:** ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/13 "2001-05-16T19:27:52Z")
Hope everything works out OK for your mom. ---
**Author:** ![Grok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Grok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grok)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/14 "2001-05-17T02:16:16Z")
So sorry to hear about your mom, Vix. But glad to hear that this will very likely be routine. Good luck to her, and you hang in there too! ---
**Author:** ![celestina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@celestina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celestina)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/15 "2001-05-17T02:58:59Z")
Oh vix, I’m sending you and your mom positive thoughts. Hang in there. ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/16 "2001-05-17T05:45:06Z")
Best of luck, Vix. If she’s anywhere near as bright and vital as you are, I’m sure she’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Lux\_Fiat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lux\_Fiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lux_Fiat)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/17 "2001-05-17T05:58:19Z")
Hang in there, vix, and best of luck to your Mom. ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2001, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mom-has-cancer/65507/18 "2001-05-18T08:25:52Z")
My very best thoughts to you and yours, **vix**. I don’t know what else to say but the sentiment is genuine.