Hi Rarbie, I would be surprised if you could get the tests done any quicker in Sydney, especially this time of year. You could badger your GP to get on the phone with your oncologist, they can sometimes get things moving or enquire about interstate options but I think you would be better off staying put. It would be better to be under one team for the duration of your treatment, barring incompetence of coarse. Well done for sticking to your guns with your previous oncologist, nobody knows your body like yourself so always challenge any situation and ask all questions that pop into your mind. Keep a diary and write things down so you can ask them later, you often forget important questions in the heat of the moment. I truly understand just how scared you feel and not knowing is the hardest. Do you have close family and friends you can cling to? Don't be afraid to let them in and help you. tell them how you feel, cry all over them, they wont mind. I'm thinking of you and am here to chat whenever you need. Warm regards Gaffo.      ... View more

Hi Rarbie, It doesn't sound as though you've been offered MOS surgery, you would definitely know if you had and of course I don't know who your treating doctors are but can I suggest you ask your doctor if you would be a likley candidate. I know the time is now short and you don't want to loose your spot on the Radiation que but it could be very worth your while if it turned out to be the better option for you. For my particular case MOS has a higher success rate then radiation and the proceedure is done in one day, all well for Xmas. Good luck with everything. I'll watch out for your posts and am happy to chat anytime. Gaffo   ... View more

Oh Rarbie, I'm so sorry but this can be beaten! I'm not worried about my own situation, I've gone from three monthly to six monthly and now I only need to go for a check up every 12 months. I'm also about to use a cream (in the new year)on my face which they've had great success with preventing sun spots turning into SCC & BCC. Your situation is rare but not unheard of. I Know of a guy who had MOS surgery the same day as me and they stoped because they couldn't get clear cells and they discovered the same prognosis as yourself. They were also concerned initially that mine had moved to my left eye so they took a peice of my tear duct which luckly come back clear. You can of coarse post in any area you choose but don't be concered about scaring other skin cancer patients, people need and want to know what they may have to face. I know you got something out of knowing I had SCC and although it has progressed further with you, your still not the only one to have faced this. I don't know if you've checked my home page but I've unfortunately been touched personally by cancer on several fronts and have been able to provide advice to many people and hopefully it has made a difference to their situation. Please stay in touch and there is help out their for your partner as he will be doing it tuff as well. My possitive thought are with you and the success rate is still very high for those in your situation. Warm Regards Gaffo.          ... View more

Hi Rarbie, Mine was smaller then yours and they were able to cover the significant hole left in my nose using microsurgery which you recover more quickly from then skin grafts. The surgon cut down the middle of my forehead and then pulled the skin down over my nose to cover the hole which was left. The proceedure only took a couple of hours and I was sent home. I had one week of work but felt like I could have gone the next day, don't want to risk infection though. You do have a lot of loose skin on your forehead and its amazing what they can do. This might not be the option for you but its only a phone call. Feel free to e-mail me dirrectly jgaffney@invensys.com.au Gaffo     ... View more

Hi Rarbie, I was thinking of you yesterday, hoping your results were all ok. Regards Gaffo ... View more

Great attitude Rarbie, I wish you all the best. The 7 weeks will pass quickly and the new year will bring a bright new future. Rest when you can and lean on your partner, family & freinds for all the support you need. I have noticed in the general discussion, some tips to sooth the skin from the affects of radiotherapy so check it out & I have a freind who's recently been through the ropes with breast cancer including radiotherapy , I'll pass on any advice she has to offer but always check with your doctors for compatibility. If you feel down, get on here and have a big whinge. It realy does help to let out your feelings. Gaffo.  ... View more

Hi Rarbie, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, nothing I can say at the moment will help but regardless of the outcome, it can be beaten. My hart is hurting for you but my wishes are nothing but possitive thoughts for your wellbeing. Gaffo   ... View more

Hi Rarbie, I'm a 39 year old male (Gaffo) who has been successfully treated for both SCC & BCC skin cancers. I had MOS surgery 30 months ago for the SCC on my nose. Radiation was initially in the plan but wasn't required due to the succsess of the MOS surgery. If you haven't heard of this procedure, the surgeon takes one slither at a time from the affected area and freezes this section to veiw under a microscope. They can see using this method if they have clear cells outside of the cancer cells. They keep going untill clear cells can be seen. Microsurgery or skin grafts might be required to cover the affected area and radiation therapy may still be required if they wern't confident of getting clear cells in every direction. Just let me know if you would like further info and contacts. Regards Gaffo   ... View more

Hi Barbe, You need to ask these questions of your treating Oncologist, get him/her on the phone, you don'y need to wait for the next  appointment. You can also checkout the Westmead Millennium Institute website, they conduct research accross the full range of cancer types, you can access all the research data and there's also contact details that may be able to help you. Also check out the list of trials on the Cancer Councils web site, there might be something there that relates to your situation. I hope you find your answers soon! Good luck. Regards Gaffo     ... View more

Hi Rarbie, The Australian Red Cross runs a camouflage clinic in Sydney which teaches people how to use makeup to cover the skin graft. The Red Cross Perth number is 1800 810 710, they should have a similar service or try the cancer council. The scar on your neck will fade pretty quickly. Try not to worry to much about the surgery, the main thing is they get it all. Its also amazing how quickly the body heals. You can do this. Warm Regards Gaffo.   ... View more