Such a great title, let's just skip all the formalities and get straight
to the point. A few months ago I noticed a little scar on my forehead.
Tiny. But it wasn't there before. I hadn't been injured or anything so I
knew there was no reason I should have a scar. It was just slightly
discolored and when I tried to show people, nobody else saw it.
Rewind to a few years ago, I had a tiny scab on my chest by my
collarbone that wouldn't heal. I had it checked out by some random
dermatologist who confirmed skin cancer and cut it out. Bada bing bada
boom, wham bam thank you ma'am. He freaking tore apart my chest and left
me with about a 3 inch disgusting scar. Here it is the day it was cut. My scar is horrible.
So back to present day, when I saw it, I got that gut feeling that it
was the same thing. It probably took me a month to tell lee about it and
another month to even call the dermatologist. A new one I might add.
Anyways, when I went to the dermatologist she didn't even think it was
cancer. I tried to be hopeful and forget about it but I knew what it
was. About a week later they called and confirmed what I knew. Basal
cell skin cancer but they referred me to a MOHs surgeon to remove it. I
literally freaked out when I saw what MOHs surgery was. They cut a
crater out of your skin and test it and your left with a hole anywhere
from quarter size to your entire face. It's disgusting. Google it,
seriously, now. So I was freaking out on the phone with the
dermatologist receptionist and she suggested I have a plastic surgeon
close it so there would be less scarring. I called them and set up my
appointment to have a consultation. Mind you I was still freaking out on
the phone with the nurse. Literally. I was bawling. When I had my
consultation my blood pressure was through the roof. And when the dr
came in I was already in tears. It sounds vain but the other scar is so
big and hideous and I didn't want it on my face! He was incredible! Vey
laid back and confident and spent a lot of time talking to me and
calming me down. He explained what he was probably going to do depending
on the size of the hole. I could not have asked for a better doctor. I
feel so grateful for the care and concern he showed me. He also showed
me many pictures of before and after and literally, I didn't see 1 scar.
If I ever have to do this again, I highly recommend a plastic surgeon.
Anyways, the surgery was set for 2 days later.
I went into the MOHs dermatologist surgeon and he cut it out before I
even knew what he was doing. He was also very personable and friendly.
He kept me talking and calm and did it so quick I literally was shocked
when he said he was done. When I showed him the other scar and explained
why I was so scared and nervous, he offered to laser it for free. He
said it would help to minimize it and he wanted to do it for free to
help me out. After that was all cut out and bandaged up I headed to the
hospital for the closure by the plastic surgeon. I put on the gown and
went back to wait for my turn. In the waiting room, there was 6 other
beds with other patients waiting for surgeries as well. My doctor came
in and talked to me again for a little bit to help calm my fears. He
also asked what I wanted to listen to. I was like um, I am going to be
asleep and your the one cutting me and fixing it so whatever you want.
The anesthesiologist also came in and then the nurse. She showed me her
nose and said that in October she had the same surgery and they had to
remove half her nose and she had dr. Cook (my plastic surgeon) close it
and I literally could not see a scar. It was amazing. So they wheeled me
back and when they opened the doors, rock and roll music was blaring.
It was kinda hilarious and actually helped calm me more. I don't know
why. Anyways, the dr was jamming to Aerosmith and within 20 seconds I
was asleep.
When I woke up I couldn't open my eyes. I just remember crying and
saying I wanted my husband. I also felt extremely nauseous. I remember
them wheeling me to the recovery room and hearing lee but I just wanted
the lights off and to sleep. It hurt my eyes so bad to open them. I kept
trying but man it hurt. I finally felt well enough to go home so we
left at about 6 pm.
My cut was on my left forehead almost right in the middle. My stitches
look like an upside down cross.
I really haven't had a lot of pain. They gave me some loratab but I
really haven't needed it. I took it the day after but I don't know if I
really needed it then either. On Saturday I woke up to extreme swelling
in my eye and cheek. I looked weird and it felt sensitive. On Sunday the
same with a little less swelling. It was normal though and today it is
gone. I went back to the plastic surgeon today and he double checked it.
He also gave me Botox because it paralyzes the muscles and prevents
scar tissue from building. He told me in 6 weeks I probably won't even
be able to see the scar.
I feel extremely grateful for both the doctors. They were both amazing
and calmed my fears and spent a lot of time with me. I am overwhelmed at
how calm and at peace I feel about it. Thanks to my doctors. I asked to
see the pictures from the surgery because I wanted to see how big the
hole was and it was about the size of a nickel, maybe a little bigger.
So smaller than I was expecting.
If I had to do this all over again or if anyone I knew had to do this, I
would go the exact same route I did. I loved both my doctors and can't
express how thankful I am that they can do these kinds of things. I am
thankful I was able to get the cancer out and that I could have a
plastic surgeon fix it. He said it would look perfect when it was done. Here I am on Sunday night so 3 days after the surgery. I will post more pictures as it heals.
