Worst cast senario, almost.....

 

I don't recall if I mentioned that I was diagnosed with basal cell skin cancer.  Even worse, it's right on the end of my nose.  I had the surgery on Wednesday, so it's been 5 days, and early next Wednesday I go to have my stitches removed.  

They had to remove more tissue than I thought ~ so that required flap surgery, which is a reconstruction technique.  They took skin from the bridge of my nose and used it to cover the area where the cancer used to be.  

If all I had to do was have mohs surgery,  it would have been bad enough.  Having the flap surgery just made the whole thing worse.  Most of the surgery was pain free, since they numbed the area.  But towards the end when the doc was putting in the stitches, that was uncomfortable due to all the pulling.  By the time I was home, the pain was awful.  

This is when I got a little mad that due to the people who misuse pain drugs made it nearly impossible for Doctors to feel ok about prescribing a few pain killers when they are necessary.  I had to get through it all on "extra" strength tylenol.  Tylenol has never done anything for me.  I always went for asprin or ibuprophen, but couldn't take that because of the bleeding risk.  After day 3 I started taking ibuprophen, and that made a big difference.  

The doctor was recommended to me by my dermatologist.  He was very kind.  I'm sure he was dismayed by the fact that tears were rolling down my cheeks the whole time he was working.  I am a woman ~ we are a bit upset when we know our nose is being disfigured.  Of course I had to have the cancer removed.  He even asked me did I want to go through with it, and of course I did.  You don't just not have cancer removed, although he mentioned some people opt not to have the surgery...at least at that meeting.  I imagine they will go back after thinking it over.  Cancer is one of those things that doesn't go away or get better with time.  

Several times he had a mirror in his hand and asked if I wanted to look.  Both times I said no.  I had to have the dressing on for a full 24 hours, so I saw the damage the next day.  To my credit I did not cry again.  I think I had run out of tears.  It was still an oh shit moment.  I've been taking selfies every day (well, except the first one) so I can see for myself that, indeed, the swelling is going down.   

Ok, well I guess I've whined long enough.  Whatever you do, don't look up the flap surgery.  It's so completely horrifying.  

Have a great fall week!  Love, 365