I have cancer, but it’s only the kind with a small “c.” A very small “c,” thankfully. Basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, and evidently the most common type of cancer overall.

It started as a tiny sore on my nose that just wouldn’t go away. Based on pictures, it likely started around the second half of last year. I thought it was just a blackhead/pimple situation. I had more than my share of those growing up, so I was used to contending with bleeding pores on my face. I have bad skin anyway, so this new development didn’t really alarm me.

Because I often work in harsh weather I figured it was just an ongoing skin issue. The tips of my fingers are sometimes chapped and cracked for months at a time, too. In the winter I usually have to bandaid up my fingers like football players do around any nicks or cuts. The air is dry here in the Upper Plains of North Dakota. It can get up to 100+ degrees F in the summer, to as low as negative 60 degrees F in the winter. The wind chill feels like razor-wire pulled across your skin. And then there’s the dust, which in high winds feels like getting blasted with little BBs. You need armadillo skin to endure up here.

So, for awhile, I ignored the little sore on my nose which would heal up, seem to go away, only to come back like an unwanted house guest. But after a few more months of this, I realized it was clearly more than just some temporary blemish. So, I did what any normal person would do–I consulted AI, of course. I fed my symptoms into Grok through my X account, and the very first thing under its list of possible causes was Basal cell carcinoma.

Here’s what Grok said:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): This is the most frequently mentioned concern in medical sources for a non-healing or recurrently bleeding spot on the nose. BCC is the most common skin cancer, often linked to sun exposure, and typically appears as a small sore, pearly bump, or flat red patch. It can bleed easily, crust/scab, seem to heal, and then bleed again—exactly matching your description. The nose is one of the most common sites. It’s usually slow-growing and very treatable if caught early, but it won’t resolve on its own and can grow deeper if ignored.

Afterward, I made an appointment with a dermatologist in Colorado. Because it can take six months or longer to get an appointment with a specialist up here in ND, I knew I’d have to go out of state for speedier treatment. My appointment was about a week and a half ago. During which, my derm took a biopsy to send to a lab. Just yesterday the results confirmed what I already strongly suspected thanks to Grok–BCC.

So, big thanks to Grok and Elon Musk. AI does have its uses beyond making atrociously distorted video and imagery slop flooding across social media and YouTube.

The biopsy went pretty quick and easy. My derm used a local ansthetic. I didn’t feel a thing, actually.

I’m having Mohs surgery to remove the cancerous cells from my nose later this month. Mohs is a simple procedure where they scalpel away the skin cancer layer by layer, testing each slice for the presence of cancer as they go, until it’s completely gone. It’s a tedious, long procedure that can take several hours, apparently. But it’s usually not very invasive. Judging from the appearance of my small sore, I’m not anticipating them having to go too deep. I’m hoping it remains superficial without having to remove too much of my flesh. I’ve been researching Mohs and BCC every since my diagnosis. What I have looks pretty tame and mild compared to other cases I’ve seen online. But then again, you can’t be sure until surgery is complete.

I also found, in my research, that Hugh Jackman, aka Wolverine, has had several brushes with BCC on his nose as well. It’s pretty common.

This little medical hiccup caught me by surprise because I take pretty good care of myself. At my physical last year my doctor even said I had a “young heart.” That’s not just sentimental poetry. There is such a thing medically as a young heart, and it has to do with the timing between beats. I regularly donate blood to the Red Cross, as I’ve mentioned before. My last donation was for double red cell on August 11th, in fact. I certainly don’t think I’m invulnerable, though. I’m 44. Something was bound to break by this point no matter what I did. I’ve been very fortunate health-wise for my entire life. That’s largely due to living cleanly, though genes have a lot to do with it, of course. My dad has a resourceful immune system. He’s 80 and still going strong, even after Covid hospitalized him. I always apply a mild sunscreen every morning, and add a stronger type if it’s a particularly sunny day. Even though I work in the sun often, I don’t spend too much time outdoors in it when I’m off the clock. I’m not some avid outdoorsman.

In the future I’ll be more attentive to anything that looks out of the ordinary. I should have made an appointment sooner and had this issue dealt with more promptly rather than waiting thinking it would just resolve itself. You don’t want to play games with cancer, even if it’s the kind with a small “c.”

I’m also real glad we live in a time where I can consult an AI, which actually gave me a solid diagnosis. Not that I’m recommending that anyone rely on AI. Grok is upfront with a disclaimer that it’s not a doctor. Though I keep hearing of AI contributing to medical evaluations. In fact, during my dermatology visit, the doctor, and the PA that saw me, had to gain my consent to record my voice. They employ an AI program that uses voice recordings to construct their notes from the session, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it also suggests diagnoses.

I’ll update following my Mohs surgery, which is scheduled for later this month. Hopefully, it all goes well, and I’m not left with too much scarring. I have enough of that. 🙂