Karl, Just what aspects of molecular biology are you having difficulty with? Personally, as soon as I read reference to " . . . the role of melanized appressoria in the pathogenicity of various fungi" I was hooked. Not to mention the discussions of Arabidopsis thaliana, biosynthesis inhibitors (MBIs), and strong melanized appressoria formation localized at the point of D. rosae penetration, which forms the pathogen-plant interface. If the abstract is that seductive, you really owe it to yourself to pour over the entire published study. The study's authors have, after all, found that melanization of appressoria is critical for the pathogenicity of Diplocarpon rosae. You do care about that, don't you Karl?

Laura, I believe for you you're MOHs experience did cause PTSD. For me, my MOHs experiences have contributed to piece of mind and a good night's sleep. 30 years ago I had a BCC on my face removed in the doctor's office; cut and scraped, without any margin tissue sent off for biopsy to determine if there were clear edges. It left a medium sized hole in my face that always prompted the question "What happened?" when meeting someone for the first time afterwards. A year later I noticed a spot on the tip of my nose. Not wanting to risk the same disfigurement on my nose I contacted a plastic surgeon that had removed a BCC near the eye/tear duct a few years before. In planning the procedure he mentioned that the surgery was simple and was there anything else I wanted taken care of. I asked him to fix the scar from the other BCC. Day comes, I have the removal and reconstructive surgeries and everything looks great. Then, a week later, I get a call at home. It's my PS. He says a biopsy of the scar he'd fixed from the BCC removal the year before came back and there was cancer everywhere on the edges. A week later I go back in to have it taken care of. The cancer was deep. He said he almost had to cut entirely through my skin layers to remove it. My lip was pulled up into a prominent Elvis type sneer. I've had three additional surgeries to correct the disfigurement. The dermatologist from the other BCC called later to see how things are going. I thought at the time that he was wanting to touch base to see if I was going to initiate a lawsuit against him. (I didn't.) To shorten a long story, all cancers I've had since are removed through MOHs. I see a dermatologist every three months. Tidbit - 15 years ago I participated in one of the clinical trials for Aldara. I was in the group that got the Aldara. I knew because my forehead looked like I'd taken a bad fall on concrete while skateboarding.

Hi anne marie, sorry to hear about your baby : ) I went through the same thing with my guy about a year ago. He had a small lump which I (and the tooth doc) suspected was a fatty lipoma. But it was troubling, in the vaccination region on his shoulder (my mother lost three cats to fibrocarsinoma at injection sites), and other opinions were it *could* be cancer. Wait and watch was an option with my regular vet. At the time, I thought the best thing to do was just take it off right away (surgery was unsuccessful with my mother's cats as it wasn't removed with clear margins). The cancer surgeon saw him and thought 95% chance it was cancer. So, off it came. He was 12 at the time. He was very healthy and asymptomatic of any problems other than allergy issues he's had all his life. He has never been the same since that operation though and I feel so bad about putting him through that. I didn't want to wait, though, as early detection is key. It was, in fact, a fatty lipoma. There were further complications, though. A small part of the incision failed to heal (costing another $2K with the dermatologist even though over those few months it healed through only one course of different antibiotics and use of another salve). He lost two pounds and seems unable to gain it back. He also seems to have been traumatized by the whole thing (horrible massive surgical incision and two weeks in a cage). As soon as he was let out, he jumped up and curled up on my shoulder and has been stuck there ever since. He wants to be held all the time now (sweet problem, but it saddens me what he might have felt or be feeling). Otherwise, he seems pretty happy and healthy though. I do feel it has actually taken time off his life though. He seems old now rather than the ever-youthful guy he was before. If you get to the point of removing it, I would go to a specialist who is a very experienced and skilled cancer surgeon rather than a GP. You might contact a University hospital or local oncologist to see who they use (which is what I did). As in people, the skill of the surgeon is critical to success. I wanted someone who knew cancer intimately and as the devil that it is. Another thing. My other kitty was terribly sick at the same time with heart and kidneys failing. One thing that has really come to light with these two is how delicate cats are to stress. I would never have thought so with these two, but all the visits, prodding, and invasive treatments really showed up in their physical health and seemed to accelerate it all. They are very tough decisions to make, especially for a layperson. Best of luck with your kitty. I would definitely get another opinion, even if that's three. Maybe a specialist next time. Dermatologist? Eye doctor? Oncologist? They may have seen this before or have suggestions on ointments, compresses, or whatever else, to try before getting invasive. Best of luck with you two : ) Hope it clears up real soon and makes it easy for you. (Try googling online too for images that may look like your kid's eye.)

Quilly... the first time DH was referred immediately to the Plastic Surgeon by our Family Doctor. I wondered at that time why not an Oncologist. The Oncologist he DID see was for another matter, he was in there for follow up for a blood issue, and asked about the skin cancer,that Oncologist really didn't say much.. just said to go back to the Plastic Surgeon. So your answer: " Even when DH diagnoses skin cancer he refers them to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon because oncologists don't routinely perform those procedures." ..now i understand. SunnyDJ thanks for telling me about your DH's experience with MOHS. WmbsgJane...thanks for the kind thoughts. Everyone has been so helpful, I feel so much better today. It is very encouraging to have the KT members to talk to. You all have a lovely day. I have been mowing and doing yard work. We had a cold front here in Central VA. Instead of the 98 degree days we have been having, today is a cool 84!!