John remembers his first consultation with Sanusi Umar, MD, as a moment when he was running out of options. Seeking help for scalp concerns that included acne keloidalis nuchae, he entered the appointment nervous and unsure what he would do if Dr. U could not help.
A Referral That Raised the Stakes
In this Baldcast conversation, Dr. U asks John whether he remembers their first meeting. John answers immediately: “I remember it very well.” What follows is not a discussion of a procedure or a treatment result. It is his account of the uncertainty he brought through the door.
John recalls that Dr. Lee had told him she could not help and would refer him to someone who might. By the time John arrived to see Dr. U, he viewed the consultation as his “last hope.” The possibility of hearing another doctor say there was nothing to be done weighed heavily on him.
The Expectations He Kept to Himself
John explains that he had not told Dr. U how much depended on the visit. “If you told me there’s nothing you could do, then I don’t know what I would’ve done,” he says. He describes the appointment as his “last shot,” a phrase that conveys how little room for disappointment he felt he had left.
The chapter does not establish what treatment was recommended or how John’s condition responded. Instead, it captures an earlier and more personal turning point: the moment a patient approaches a specialist while fearing there may be no other option.
A Welcome That Helped Him Relax
Despite that anxiety, John remembers feeling comfortable when he met Dr. U and the people working at the office. He says he liked Dr. U’s “energy” and “vibe,” and that the team’s manner was “very comforting and made me relax.” The recollection shifts the conversation from the pressure of seeking answers to the experience of being received at the consultation.
John also remembers the people he encountered that day. For someone concerned about bumps on the back of the head or bumps that won’t heal, his account emphasizes the importance of being able to discuss those concerns with a clinician without assuming a particular outcome.
The Pressure Dr. U Did Not Know About
At the end of the exchange, Dr. U responds with humor after hearing just how much John had riding on that first meeting. “I’m glad you didn’t tell me about all the expectations you had,” he says, adding, “No pressure for me.” John echoes the joke: “No pressure.”
That brief exchange closes the chapter on a human note. John had arrived carrying fears he had not voiced, yet he remembers a welcome that made the appointment easier to face. His story continues beyond this recollection, but this chapter stays with what that first meeting meant to him.
Watch the Chapter
The Baldcast | Episode 6, Chapter 10
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Medical Disclaimer
This article recounts one person’s experience and is for general information only. It does not provide medical advice or establish that any particular treatment is appropriate or effective for another person. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for individualized assessment.
Further Reading
- https://dru.com/john-acne-keloidalis-nuchae-plan-beyond-surgery/
- Umar, Sanusi et al. “A Retrospective Cohort Study and Clinical Classification System of Acne Keloidalis Nuchae.” The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology vol. 14,4 (2021): E61-E67.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8142833/
