On a Personal Note: What Happened to My Face
This is not an April’s Fools post/joke (I wish!) although the timing is a little funny. Kind of? Ok, not really.
I wanted to step back from food for a minute and talk about something a little more personal today in the hopes that maybe my experience can help even just one person reading this.
I’ve been grateful over the years as my blog following has grown beyond what I ever expected – it’s given me a lot of reason to wonder if I’m really doing good and how I can do more. In addition to sharing delicious, tried-and-true recipes, I hope I can help people in other ways. Maybe today is such a day.
Warning: somewhat gruesome (depending on your tolerance level) pictures follow, not to mention more selfies than I’ve ever taken in my life, so read at your own risk. Also, this is taking a bit of courage to post; I hope I can count on you to be kind with your comments (no unnecessary compliments, not fishing for those, but please no cruelty).
Last fall, I ended up at the dermatologist’s office getting a spot on my back checked out. A deep, elliptical biopsy and 12 stitches later (plus a week or so of waiting) and the good news came back that it was not melanoma like the doctor suspected but instead a dysplastic nevus (precursor to melanoma but very good news, nonetheless).
While I was there for that appointment, I asked the doctor about a tiny spot on my nose that had been there for a couple months and seemed like a scab that wouldn’t heal. I actually felt a little silly for asking about it but figured it wouldn’t hurt since I was already there.
You can see the spot here (as I’m intently whistling – or maybe trash talking – while working on a puzzle over Thanksgiving last year):
After about three seconds of examining the spot, my doctor was 99% sure it was basal cell carcinoma. I went back in a week or so later for a biopsy and sure enough, a few days later, the results came back that the seemingly innocent spot really was basal cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is a fairly common type of skin cancer but still taken seriously by my dermatologist. To my credit, I didn’t really freak out (kind of a shocker, really) because it was such a small spot and I figured it would be pretty easy to take care of.
Fast forward several weeks later to December 1 when I was scheduled to have MOHS surgery on that spot. I knew that I would be getting a local anesthetic for the area (needles in the nose – ouch!!!) and the doctor would little by little remove an area of skin including and around the basal cell carcinoma spot, send it to the lab to be inspected under a microscope and come back with results (all while I waited in the room).
That process would continue until the borders were clean – meaning, no cancer. I was certain, positively certain, it would be one small removal and I’d be out of there.
Unfortunately, that very tiny spot on my nose had decided to get naughty underneath the surface and after several cuts (and more dang shots in my nose!), clean borders were finally found. What I was left with was a decent sized (and quite deep) hole in the side of my nose.
{Click here for the super graphic surgery photos – probably not fit for young children or really anyone who gets queasy at the sight of gruesome, bloody pics}
I didn’t feel any pain (thanks to the terrible but blessed little shots) and didn’t feel any panic in that moment (thanks to a very competent doctor). That is, until he showed me the area in a mirror and drew with black marker up along my nose where he would now need to cut in order to pull skin down to cover the crater in my nose (after we ruled out the option of a skin graft since it would be nearly impossible to match the skin color and tone of my nose).
The pictures of that part of the procedure are too gory to share on a nice cooking blog like this, but suffice to say, I started to panic a little. Ok, a lot.
An hour later and I was the new owner of 20+ stitches front and center on my face (with more underneath the skin) and lots of iodine to enhance my natural coloring.
Oh, and the doctor did give me this note also. I’ll give you one guess as to whether or not I obeyed doctor’s orders.
I left the office. And I bawled all the way home (mistake: driving myself to and from the doctor; in hindsight, I was in a lot of shock and am grateful I made it home in one piece – my hands were shaking so bad and I could barely see because I was crying and my contacts were all fogged up).
For a few days I had to keep the bandage on and it didn’t seem so bad, although it hurt like the devil.
But then I took the bandage off. I was still in a lot of pain; it was so tender to the touch, and the bruising and swelling were just getting started. Plus, even though I know it could have been worse, I was struggling a bit with the emotional pain of wondering if my face would ever look “normal” again.
While at the doctor (and even before during the dysplastic nevus episode), I endured a stinging but deserved lecture from my doctor about sunscreen.
I’ve actually been a stickler about wearing sunscreen and covering up since I’ve had kids and been in my 30’s but before that? Sunscreen was never really that important to me. I never did the tanning bed thing but I spent a lot of time outdoors and I didn’t concern myself with hats and sunscreen as a teenager and in my 20’s, thinking the color on my face and arms and legs would be welcome and pretty, which is kind of laughable because I’m so fair skinned, I usually burn and stay pale.
Combine that with the fact that I grew up in a generation where many mothers didn’t sunscreen their children (yes, my mom feels a lot of guilt which is silly since she was one of millions letting their kids blister in the sun in the 70’s and 80’s) and you have a recipe for basal cell carcinoma.
And honestly, based on the fact that I’ve never been a bikini-wearing, beach bound, sun lover spending hours laying out in the sun, I’m certain that if this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.
It’s an understatement to say our holiday season was very low key. I didn’t leave my house for several weeks and my 8-year old couldn’t look at me for a long time because he said “I’m not trying to be mean, mom, but your face gives my tummy the jigglies.” I can’t blame him.
I shouldn’t have been self-conscious but I was (and still am a little even though I’ll show you below how amazingly my face has healed in a few short months).
I’ve never worn makeup besides mascara and a little eyeshadow, but all of a sudden, I wondered how on earth I was going to cover this up once it healed a bit? (Spoiler alert: I’m still rocking the no-makeup look because it’s really hard to teach an old dog new tricks.)
That dang swelling decided to settle into the left side of my face and stay awhile. Plus, what do you think about that natural eyeshadow I’ve got going on? Who needs makeup, anyway??
You may or may not have noticed the lack of cooking videos over the last few months, but this basal cell carcinoma “experience” has put projects like that on hold and is also the reason, if you know me in person, I became even more of a homebody recluse from December to February than I already was.
It was such a relief to finally get the stitches out. Can you see how my left eye is pulling slightly in the corner?
That bothered me quite a bit for several months – I couldn’t close my eye all the way and my contact always felt like it was going to fall out (annoyingly, I couldn’t wear my glasses because they sat right there where the stitches ended at the top of my nose and it hurt too badly to wear them for a while).
As the weeks went on, it was amazing to start seeing the progress of healing, helped along, I have no doubt, by many, many prayers, lots of essential oils and Mederma. (Sorry about the death glare on the right; I take selfies very seriously, apparently.)
For the essential oils: I used a combination of rosehips oil, frankincense oil, helichrysum oil, and lavender oil.
As I think about the whole process, I’m beyond grateful I was in the dermatologist’s office back in early fall when I had a suspicious mole on my back.
I never ever ever would have made an appointment for a “silly” spot on my nose but being able to ask the doctor about it at the first appointment was divine intervention. Who knows what would have happened had the cancer had even more time to spread?
This experience has made me think a lot about what I’m going to do going forward when it comes to sun control for me and my kids, but it’s also made me realize that by sharing this with you, all of you, maybe I can bring awareness to how important sunscreen and covering up in the sun really is.
I already have a separate cancer history (from seven years ago) and combined with this latest basal cell carcinoma issue (and the data that shows there’s a high chance it will come back in some form on my body, especially my face), I’m determined to make changes to protect the future of my health even though we have been sticklers about sunscreen and hats for well over a decade now.
I’m throwing away my pride and deciding that even if I’m the only one at the lake and on the boat and at the park and working in the yard and at soccer games this summer wearing a large-brimmed hat and carrying an umbrella and donning sunscreen from head to toe and a long-sleeve swimsuit and even a long skirt at times, it’s ok. It’s really ok. It’s a small price to pay to have healthy skin; I certainly do not want to relive the events of the last few months.
Will you think about your sun exposure and that of your kids if you have them? For me? Think about it and consider ways you can protect you and your family by choosing the right sunscreen, wearing hats when possible, and being smart about sun exposure.
After spending countless hours online (why do I do this to myself?) looking at other stories and cases of basal cell carcinoma and MOHS surgery, I’m immensely grateful that in the end, my cancer spot and removal area really was quite small compared to how it could have turned out (my doctor said he’s spent 15+ hours chasing skin cancer around patient’s faces, and I wanted to kiss his feet that I was only there for a couple hours).
It’s miraculous and amazing how the body can heal. If you would have told me last December that I’d actually want to look in a mirror come March, I would have laughed (ok, probably cried) in your face. But I am so blessed that I have healed well and am continuing to heal.
Please learn from my experience.
Be smart! And stay safe in the sun, ok?
Love ya.
UPDATE: I cannot even tell you how overwhelmed I’ve been at your response to this post. Your kindness has brought me to tears more than once. More than that, though, have been the stories you’ve shared of your own skin cancer or of your loved ones. Many of you have emailed me personally and commented below that because of this post, you or a family member went in to the doctor and were able to either preempt a skin cancer situation or find out you had skin cancer of your own that desperately needed attention. In all my years of blogging, I’ve never been more impacted by your comments and stories (and again, your kindness). Thank you a million times over.
Hi Mel, I just wanted to thank you so so much for sharing your story. I have had BCC removed from the side of my nose and have ended up with a significant wound. I just keep looking at your post, and how beautifully you have healed, and I am just keeping fingers and toes crossed that I do the same. My surgery was 2 days ago and my face feels tight and sore to say the least. My skin feels pulled…did you feel the same? I am just hoping this all relaxes in time. You look absolutely gorgeous and thank you for sharing the photos with us. It gives me hope! Xxx
I’m so sorry you are going through this, Lucy!! Good luck with your healing. Yes, my skin definitely felt pulled and super tight. I think that’s probably normal but if you have questions, I’d definitely suggest calling your doctor to make sure. I wish you the best in your continued healing! It’s amazing what the body can do to heal itself. Get a lot of rest!
Thanks Mel. I have seen your later posts now and have seen how you have continued to heal beautifully. Skin cancer is a bigger journey than I ever expected, but you are an inspiration to me and thousands more I am sure xx
Hello from Switzerland ! I just had a mohs surgery on my nose with a huge scar and your testimony is very helpful for me. I’ll go check your page every day since i’ve been operated. Just to remind me to be patient and confident with the result in the next week and month. Many thanks Mel for your courage to share your experience with us. Kiss and love Pam
Good luck with your recovery, Pam!
Thank you so much for sharing this. The photos are incredible. You have healed beautifully. This makes me feel so much better about the moh’s surgery I have scheduled next week for my forehead.
Good luck and many prayers for you, Diana!
Hello. I’ve been obsessed with trying to find an outstanding plastic surgeon that specializes in reconstruction of the nose, may I ask whom your provider was? I just went through hell the past 6mos. I went to a plastic surgeon for a mole removal that was suspicious of skin cancer, had it removed, biopsy came back negative, thankfully. I had to have an FTSG to fix the hole that was left from the biopsy, I am trying to improve the scar from that procedure as it’s very difficult to conceal it with makeup, I’m pretty sure that I need scar revision surgery with the use a forehead flap??? I humbly asking you for your help with your providers information, please. I have read your story and very inspired by your willingness to share your very personal and private experience. I’m so happy to hear you are feeling much better than before, your physician did amazing work, your scarring is minimal and blending in very well. Thank you for your time and effort to help anyone that may be facing this situation.
Hi Mel I just wanted to tell you that, like so many of your readers, your post gave me the knowledge to get a suspicious spot on my nose (that wouldn’t ever heal) checked out at my first ever dermatology appointment, and it WAS a basal cell carcinoma. I just had my MOHS surgery two days ago. The doctor was able to get all the cancer out on the first swipe, which I know isn’t always the case, and for which I’m very grateful. Anyway! Thank you for posting your experience, because it truly is blessing lives! I almost certainly wouldn’t have had it checked had I not read your story. I hope you’re doing so well ❤️
Oh my goodness, Meg – thank you for your comment! I’m so sorry you had to go through this. Just hearing about your experience brings back all the memories and feelings from my own surgery. I’m so glad they were able to get the cancer on the first go round. I hope you heal quickly!! Thank you so much for letting me know.
Hi, thanks for sharing. I have to have a BCC taken out of my nose next Wednesday. I’m really nervous. Not to mention that we due to go on an overseas holiday in a month’s time. After a month, could you get away with a good concealer and look not too scary? Just worried I’ll get a lot of looks and want to be able to make the most of our holiday despite the circumstances. Thanks for sharing your experience, I feel a bit more prepared on what to expect xxx
Hi Carolyn…good luck with your surgery! After a month my scar was still pretty swollen and red but everyone’s healing is different so you might have a more speedy recovery especially if your surgery ends up being less invasive.
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I will be having MOHS Surgery on my nose this Friday, September 7, 2018. I have been absolutely terrified of doing this. My spot is in the same place as yours on my nose, same size, and same side. After reading your story, I feel relief. You are absolutely adorable and you healed up really nicely! I, too, wear glasses and that has been a concern for me, as well. After reading your post, I will be wearing my contacts (I am darn near blind without correction) to the surgery. Question for you. Did they have you sleep sitting up after and for how long?
Hey Missy! Good luck! I will be praying for you knowing you have surgery this Friday. Please keep me posted on how it goes! I wish you speedy healing (and only 1-2 scrapes!). I didn’t *need* to sleep sitting up (the doctor told me I was fine to lay down) but comfort wise, my face hurt so badly and was throbbing so much that I slept sitting up the first night. After that it was better laying down.
Hi Mel!
Well, I made it through the surgery. It was a lot more than I thought it was going to be. My own blog is linked to my name so if you have time, please come read about my experience. I am so glad that it is done! Thank you for the prayers and good thoughts!
http://www.mylifemakesmelaughconstantly.com – I liked it incorrectly above
Hey Missy! Just hopped over to your blog…so happy your surgery is over and you are recovering! The swelling will subside (and the pain, too!); hang in there! It was interesting to compare your detailed surgery pics with mine (I didn’t post some of the more gruesome ones here). I’m amazed at how well your doctor was able to use the skin from your cheek to repair the area taken during MOHS. Good luck on your recovery!
I found your blog off a search about skin cancer. I appreciate your candor and your bravery in sharing beyond words. And you just look fabulous, btw. In any case, I came for the skin cancer story, but I’ll stay for the food – love this blog! Serendipity works in happy ways.
Thanks so much, Court! 🙂
I felt like I was reading my own story. I looked the same as you but it was the other side of my nose and instead of my eye pulling a little it was my nostril (oh happy days). My healing looks about how yours does also, but my nostrils still aren’t even (ugh). I went into hibernation as well and stopped playing tennis. I never wore makeup either but now keep trying different concealers in an attempt to blend in the white line of the scar. It has been two year without a re-occurrance but always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I live in the south so it is difficult to hide completely from the sun but I gave up tennis as I sweat off the sunscreen. Skin cancer sucks and I applaud you for putting it out there!
Good luck with your continued recovery, Mollie! I agree, skin cancer sucks! I hope you don’t have any reoccurrences!
Thanks for posting your story..getting ready for a re excision on cheek….what oil s did you use? Thanks. Mary Ann
I used frankincense, lavender and rose hips oil. Good luck!
So, I read this blog initially when you posted it and it prompted me to have a spot on my face checked out. I thought it was a stubborn zit that just kept coming back over and over again. Turns out the dermatologists’ PA felt it was precancerous so he froze it off. Hooray…easy-peasy, done deal. Not only was it easy, but then that annoying bump was gone; nice and flat. Until it came back. I went back in, fully expecting them to freeze it again, but this time he wanted to biopsy it. I got the call about 20 minutes ago. It is basal cell carcinoma, and I am being referred for MOHS surgery. I’m 40 years old. THANK YOU for sharing your personal story which prompted me to get my bump checked out.
I am so glad to find your blog about your experience with basal cell cancer on your nose and your willingness to share the beauty of your journey. I will be undergoing MOHS on July 3, 2018 for a small red spot on the side of my nose which I’m told is infiltrating basal cell. I’ve since learned infiltrating means that the red spot may be just the tip of an iceberg and who knows how large the iceberg below the surface could be. Your journey of healing gives me hope.
I also have just started using essential oils and would love to know any oily combinations that helped with your healing!
Hi Becky – good luck with your surgery!! I’ve used a combination of frankincense and lavender on my skin/scar to help with healing.
i wanted to ask you if there any vitamins or supplements that you took to help treat your basal cell?
I too have one on my nose and its been 7 months and still has not healed Currently there is a hole on the side of my nose.
He said for some reason my skin is not healing as well as others or healing slowly He suggested DHEA but it has these weird side effects
Let me know what you think? and congrats that you finally got relief
thanks
Amy
Hi Amy – I didn’t take any supplements. I’m so sorry you are going through this!
Glad you are doing fine, Mel! I’ve been one those “tough” guys who didn’t use sun cream, because that’s not how “real” man act. I am super happy that I actually googled a bit about skin cancer and now sun cream is my best friend for life 🙂
You look amazing. Can I please ask the time lapse between the surgery and your final photo? I need to have some deep tissue removed on the very tip of my nose (thankfully a relatively small amount) but I’m still so stressed about it and the healing time. I don’t want to have to hide my face in pictures all summer and I’m feeling really self-conscious about it. Mostly because I like my nose and don’t want it to change.
I think the time was about 4-6 months. Good luck! This can be a really difficult process, but it’s amazing how the body can heal. I hope all goes well for you!
Hi, my name is Donna and I am a mom in North Carolina. Thank you for your long post. You see I had the identical surgery as you on the left side of my nose on 2/16/18. I was stunned when I figured out I had skin cancer on 2/5 when I looked up pimple that would not heal. I went to the deramotologist on 2/6 and got a biopsy. That took a week to get the results and I pressured my way into the 4 month wait mohs clinic and had two mohs surgeries plus the “repair” , so three surgeries in one day.
As you I have been shocked by this ordeal and traumatized. The stitches came out on Friday and now I have Steri Strips on my nose and cannot take them off for a week.
Then I am allowed to do any scar treatment that I want and my dr prefers silicone gel.
There are pricey options which I am fine about spending I just want to do what’s best.
I am considering NewGel + E, Dermatix, Peureauty and La Mer. and possibly do more than one treatment, not sure at all.
I always thought I was an attractive female and now I think I will maybe be disfigured I have never healed well.
I just found this post and am very thankfilk for it. I had a BCC in the exact spot as yours. I’m only six weeks post op. MOHS was not available in my area so I had a wide local excision. My post op looked just like yours. I’ve been told to now use silicone sheeting or gel to hopefully flatten my bump. Thanks for posting this encouyrahging post. Joyce
I am freaking out and so scared I have my opt this wendsenday with dermatologist and last wendsenday my doctor said I have bcc I am beyond freaking out! Thanks for putting that story out there
I’m new to your site and so happy to have found it. I’m especially excited that you are a Christian as it adds to the connection to you and your site and many of your followers. I especially want to thank you for the reminder of the damage the sun can cause. I’m now retired and grew up in sunny San Diego, CA. not a place for a red haired, blue eyed, fair skinned freckled face little boy to grow up. I remember having so many blistered sun burns followed by the horrible itching as it healed and the skin starting to peel. It was the worst of the sunburn itching all night and crying from the pain of the burns. They didn’t have sunscreen in those days, so I’d have to use zinc oxide on my nose and lips, but I couldn’t put it on my entire body. Thank goodness by the time I was about nineteen years old sun screen came on the market and I began to be a faithful worshiper of sunscreen and hats. I have to tell you that I was teased by my own family and my wife’s family when we were at a pool or beach as I hid under the umbrellas to stay out of the sun. Sorry to say that each one of them have had cancer removed from their faces and bodies, back in their thirties; every one of them except me, and I’m 65. So, it doesn’t matter when you start protecting your skin, it will pay off in the end. I’m sure that if I live long enough I’ll eventually have some type of skin cancer, with my complexion, freckles, blue eyes and red hair, I have the highest probability of skin cancer, especially melanoma than any other human on the face of the earth. I should get something for being such a minority with the sun.
The point is, that I’ve been able by God’s grace to have avoided years of damage and heartache all of these years by protecting myself. So when the day comes I may have to undergo what you have, I can at least say I did my best, and certainly avoided years of pain and agony that I might have had if I not protected myself. The doctors have told me that should I get skin cancer, it will be the result of my over exposure when I was very young and burned so frequently. So protecting your children as I did mine will definitely make a difference with reducing their odds as they grow older.
Thank you for sharing your story, and for your mom’s white bread recipe, I’ve been looking for one like yours for years. Once I bake it, I’ll post a picture. I look forward to your emails. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for your comment, Red! Your advice is so true: it’s never too late to start protecting your skin from the sun. I wholeheartedly agree! I am happy to hear that you’ve been able to avoid skin cancer and any treatments so far. Wonderful news!
Hi. My daughter just shared this blog post with me. I had MOHS surgery for basal cell that was right in the center of my nose 6 days ago, and I’ve been devastated and in morning ever since. Thank you for sharing your photos. It has brought me some hope that my nose may not be this hideous forever and that I may once again actually want to look in the mirror (or be seen in public).
Also, for those who may need this surgery in the future, they actually make special ‘suspenders’ for glasses, to keep them off your nose while you heal. They are the geekiest looking things you’ve ever seen, but for people like me who need bifocals, they’re a life saver! I found mine on Amazon, but there are other places that sell them as well.
If you are looking for cosmetic dermatology services, I would like to mention that I had a great experience with SuttonCosmetic.com. They offer great medical & cosmetic dermatology service. I felt like my personal safety and medical treatment was their top priority. Everything was well-documented and explained to me before anything started.
Thank you so much for posting your story, you look and are a beautiful person for sharing your experience. I recently underwent mohs surgery for a bcc on the center of my nose. My stitches started between my eyes, down the front of my nose, and over to the left side of my nose. I am on week 3 of healing, each day there is improvement, I am optomistic, but I have had my fair share of days of crying. The reality is that mohs is psychologically traumatic. Going into the procedure a person has no clue how far the cancer has spread, and the mind can torment us. I told my mohs surgeon I was a nervous Nelly. He prescribed me three ativan, one for the night before surgery, one for surgery, and one for reconstruction. This helped me immensely, I have some memory, but nothing overwhelming. I encourage others to discuss with their surgeon ways to help calm. I also used the phrase ” is what I am worrying about useful” in regards to my mind thinking about scary outcomes. I am so grateful to my mohs and plastic surgeon. Again, thank you.
Thanks so much for your insights, Nina! And good luck with your healing!
Wow! You do look amazing. I had basic cell 4 years ago, had the same surgery as you and this d— needles were horrible. Had the flap and my scars don’t look anything like yours. So now, I find myself in the 2 to 5% recurrence group and have to go through it again. This time, I am being put under and spending the night in the hospital, then I have to have radiation and plastic surgery and other procedures. Continued luck with your healing.
Oh my goodness, Leilani, I’m so, so sorry to hear that. Best of luck with your involved surgery – I hope all goes well!
I wish I had found this before I had my surgery this summer! I was in for routine exam with PA at dermatologist and she asked about something on my face, a little bump. I told her I had been scratched by a dog 5 months earlier and she said she didn’t like it and was going to biopsy the thing. Turns out it was a basal cell carcinoma. Made the appointment with plastic surgeon to do Mohs. It was so small!! That said after 2 and a half hours it was still coming back with positive tissue. I was st my wits end and because itnwas so close to my eye doc said let’s stitch you up and see how this impacts your eye and reschedule second round. So 30 plus stitches later and 3 plus more hours of surgery it’s all done. The scar is still new so it looks awful. I wear a bandaid over it all the time. I think I was most horrified by feeling liquid running down my face and realizing it was my blood. The procedure didn’t hurt but that freaked me out . Thanks for your post.
If you’re going for MOHS please take Arnica the day of your surgery and the days after (5 tablets of 30C three times a day) and take good quality buffered Vitamin C (buy it at a health food store) starting at least a few days before surgery and continue taking it through the healing process. Both supplements help with swelling and bruising. I had MOHS and a nose flap reconstruction (done the next day by a plastic surgeon) and I experienced no swelling or bruising on my face and minimal swelling and bruising on my nose. During the weeks before your surgery, cut out alcohol and as much sugar as you can. Mix Amazing Greens powder into your water, I didn’t use Bromelain (pineapple enzyme) after my surgery for swelling and bruising because I forgot to buy it, but it’s also
recommended by some plastic surgeons.
Thankyou for sharing your experience. I really appreciate it because I had bcc on the left side of my face between my nose and my lip. It has only been about a month since my surgery and I still feel devastated by the scar. Mine started out as a little pimple and I didn’t get it looked at until it started bleeding. The cancer had spread under the skin and I had mohs in three stages to remove it. My surgeon closed with a skin flap. I had at least 30 stitches on the outside and more under the skin. I am having a tough time because of the scar. I drive a bus at a teaching hospital and wear a hydro colloidal bandage to hide my scar. I encounter hundreds of passengers every day so I am very self conscious about it. Your story is encouraging and gives me hope that my scar will heal as well as yours. You look great by the way. Thanks again, sincerely Sherry Ferrell
Oh, Sherry! I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. Everything you said resonated with me. I felt the same way – I honestly didn’t know if I would ever be able to go out confidently in public again. But I have been amazed and humbled and astounded by how amazing the body is and how it can heal. It IS a long road and it’s taken months and months (over a year, really) for me to feel that way, but if you keep your skin out of the sun and treat it well, I think it will heal amazingly well. Thank you for sharing your experience…my heart goes out to you and your recovery and well-being will be in my prayers!
Please could you share your recipe for the oil? I can’t see it in the comments I have recently also had surgery on my face so would be very grateful for all the healing help I can get 🙂 thanks so much you look amazing xx
I’ve somehow misplaced the actual recipe and can’t find it online (I’ll keep searching) but I used a combo of helichrysum, lavender, rose hips oil and frankincense.
You look great! I just had Mohs surgery on my nose and went through use what you went through. I was afraid I would never look normal again, but I do, thank goodness. Thank you for blogging about it so we know we are not alone.
How long was your recovery, Marcy? I’m so worried about mine! My surgery will be the tip of my nose but I just really want to fast forward and be done with it all. :/
Dad Mel, thanks for sharing your story. I admire your brave candor! A church friend shared your post with me since I recently received a dx BCC with Mohs Surgery scheduled for next month. I am petrified! Glad to see how well your recovery process appeared and appreciate you promoting healthy skin practices. We’ll see how the removal and stitches go with the three spots above my brow. Any tips for enduring the actual procedure??
Hi Gretchen – good luck with your upcoming procedure! You know, I went into my MOHS surgery so naive to what could happen, but if I had to do it again, I’d bring something to distract me and pass the time (while waiting for the results on each biopsy). The wait was hard for me because I wasn’t prepared for it. If you have a good friend/family member, consider bringing them along. It might sound strange, but I’m really glad I have the pictures of my procedure. I had to ask the doctor and nurse to take them for me (they wouldn’t have otherwise). Some pictures are fairly gruesome (I didn’t post the ones where my face was cut open), but seeing them now has given me a greater appreciation for how well I’ve healed. Let me know how it goes!
On i cannot thank you enough for being so brave and posting this. I just had my moh s surgery done 5 days ago and in my search of “just had my stiches taken out of my nose” branded i still have 8 days before the 23 grusom stiches come out… I have been on a search for some that looked almost exact as mine along with swelling and the healing process. Unfortunately but fortunately we were in the same boat. You have given my huge amounts of hope with healing outlook. I cannot thank you enough for being brave and posting. I too bad taken pictures of the surgery hole OMG it’s so surreal and it’s me, an eye opening experience i pray to not have to go through again. My journey went very similar to yours with the cutting hated the numb shots but blessed it was given. Then the wait… My Dr was brilliant, comforting as well staff. I did have to go back after roughly two hours and have two more layers taken and a cartilage scrape… Ouch 2nd set of shots in already wearing off 1st round then stiches reopen ‘d battle wound grrrr but they got it all! He said much longer it would had been a large part of my nose taken… Eeeek thank God I was lead to a Dr. Who recognized what I had growing and penetrating deep. In all I can ramble.. I’m pretty sure you understand. Thank you!! You are one of my hero’ess’s maybe one day I can also be that no makeup wearing girl lol you are a natural beauty inside and out girl can’t thank you enough for your courage to post!!
You are amazing, Karmen! Good luck with your recovery – I don’t know you, but you are beautiful inside and out no matter what!
Hi Mel–
I was looking at your Cuban pork recipe because I have a large pork roast in my freezer that I need to do something with– think I’ve finally found the answer– thanks.
I noticed the link you had about cancer and since I’m facing basal cell surgery next month, thought I would check it out. I did the melanoma thing four years ago. Anyway, I was just wondering about the essential oils you mentioned in healing. Just wondering how you used them and what kind. I’ve haven’t jumped on the essential oils thing yet so am totally ignorant of their use.
I surely do admire you and you have taught me a lot via your blog.
Hi Deloris – good luck with your upcoming basal cell surgery! I used a combo of helichrysum, lavender, rose hips oil and a few others. I’ll try to find the actual “recipe” I used and link it here (actually it might be above in the comment thread).
Just stumbled on this blog and I’m glad that I did. First of all, you are so beautiful. I’m so glad you got the seemingly innocent spot taken care of.
I’m adding your blog to my favorites ASAP. I’ve already seen many recipes to solve my “What’s for dinner?” problem.
You’re awesome!
I have had MOHS too, and on my nose- but up close to my eye. No stitches- healed by granulation thinking a zplasty might be more problematic. Age 60
Thank you for your story. I cannot imagine how traumatized you were and thank you for sharing with strangers. Thank you for the accurate pictures. So sorry you had to go through that. Glad outcome looks so good.
OMG!!!
Thanks to god that you overcome and pass that terrible days and wish you all good things are waiting for you in near future. You showed real courage there!!!
Mel,
What a journey for you and your family. My father’s side of the family has a long history of cancer. I sometimes just feel i am waiting for the shoe to drop!
Thanks for the advice on sun protection. I was a avid sun worshiper in my youth. Ugh.
Keep up the positive attitude.
Ellie Fuhriman
So grateful for your post!
Thank you for being brave enough to post this. I am going to have surgery tomorrow and have been terrified thinking about it for the last month. Your post was very helpful to me and I wish more people had the courage to share their stories and insight.
Wow, Claudine! Good luck with your surgery! I’ll be thinking about you, and I hope all goes well.
Firstly Mel, I cannot begin to tell you how amazing you are to post those pictures of yourself. You have completely blown me away. My oldest daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer straight after the birth of her sixth child. Her oldest was just 12. She went through 3 months of chemo, major surgery and radiation. All the while she determinedly took good care of her kids. We are six months after treatment, but there is after care and injections etc. Pls pls through you wonderful website continue to persuade people to take good care of themselves. Thanks for being you and for a truly wonderful website
I just read your story. It is almost exactly like mine! My experience started at the beginning of last year. I had a “freckle” the size of a pencil eraser on my left cheek about two inches below the out side corner of my left eye. They doctor had to excise an inch around and make an incision to my ear down the front of my ear around the bottom and about three quarters down the side of my neck to fill in the gap they took out. I am a mother of six and my two youngest were also afraid to look at me (was kinda scary looking). Needless to say I became a bit of a recluse also, don’t wear my hair up any more and pretty much keep the sun screen companies in buisness now. The scar has lightened up dramatically. An am thankful that I was kinda being vain about a “silly” little freckle. I wish I could post some pictures of my scars before and after. Anyways I just wanted to say I understand exactly what you are going through. Good luck on your journey. We are alive and that should be good enough right?
Hi Mel,
I love your site!
I had Mohs for what felt like a pea sized pimple on the side of my nose. They took out a 1/2 inch deep section, size of a silver dollar. Four years later with probably 6 inches of scar on my face, people tell me they don’t notice, but if I do say something. “Wow, I didn’t even ever notice” are mostly the comments I get. I hope your healing continues well! It will be ok. Even though that scar is there, you’re still the same person. People see you for who you are and what is or is not on your face!!
You are loved!
Dear Mel-I have been a reader a long time and you have turned me into a cooking machine for my family. We LOVE your bourbon chicken, freezer burritos and roasted vegetable orzo salad (along with tons of other recipes too). I’ve never commented before but I had to tell you a story related to this post so you can understand what a powerful thing you did by sharing your story so publicly. My sister-in-law was complaining of a sore on the side of her nose that wouldn’t go away. She was more annoyed about it than anything and thought it was an unsightly pimple that just wouldn’t heal. An alarm went off inside me and I showed her this post. She decided to make an appointment with her doctor and discovered it was indeed basal cell carcinoma. Honestly, had I never read this I wouldn’t have thought twice about encouraging her to get it checked. And had she not read this, she wouldn’t have made that appointment. All I can say is thank you for your bravery and for sharing. You are an incredible woman and I’m so thankful for you and your blog!
I know exactly what you went through and what you are still going through. My surgery was 2009 for the nose 2010 for the tear duct.
Dear Mel, you’ve used your deep readership to good use! My sun history is similar to yours, and yet I fear at some point I will be in a dermatologist’s office in a similar position you were; being very fair-skinned has meant a lot of accidental sunburns over the years. And the worst of those was a second-degree burn after skiing–oh that thin, high-altitude air! I’m determined not to let it happen to my kids, even the ones that turn brown in the summer like little roasted nuts. We all have sun hats, everyone wears sunscreen, and I’m really glad I didn’t do the tanning thing when it was really really cool to do so and people frankly laughed that I was so white next to their (you said it) pretty shades of not-white. (My brother said I blended in with the wall, my sister said she liked sitting next to me because it made her look darker.) And living in a mountain state, yeah, you do get more direct rays than I do in Minnesota; nevertheless, you can still get sun damage on a cloudy day. (And lack of a sunburn doesn’t mean lack of sun damage.) Anyway, I applaud you loudly for using something scary to warn others. And your healing is just amazing. Your last pic doesn’t even show much of a long-term scar. Blessed surgeons! p.s. Mederma is my favorite scar healer–being fair, I also scar easily, so this is a must for me!
Dear Mel,
I commented when you shared this story with all of us by telling you that some close friends had the same thing happen. Little did I know that it would be hitting so close to home. Yesterday my daughter had to have a spot on her face removed and the doctor is pretty sure that it is basal cell carcinoma. He thinks he has clear borders but we have to wait for the pathology report. If the borders are not clear she will have to have the MOHS done. Praying that hers goes as well as yours!!
Oh my goodness, Janet – thank you so much for letting me know about your daughter. I’m so sorry she has to go through this; I’ll be hoping and praying the pathology comes back with clean borders. I truly wish her the best – please let her know that. Thankfully she had it checked and removed! Hang in there. I hope it is very minimal.
I’m at the beach this week wearing a long-sleeved swim shirt/dress and a brimmed hat, both from Coolibar. I have been told that I look like a little old lady, but thanks to your post, I don’t even care. (Well, maybe a little, but not enough to take it off!) I am very fair-skinned and often burn even with sunscreen, so I know that a similar story is coming for me, if it’s not already growing beneath the surface. Sidenote: I’ve been pleased with this sunscreen: http://www.cerave.com/our-products/sunscreen/sunscreen-face-lotion-spf-50. It has “invisible zinc,” meaning it blends in better than most zinc sunscreens. Thanks for being vulnerable.
I love that, Laurie! You and me both. I wore my long sleeve swim shirt and ankle length swim leggings to the pool again today and even though my kids don’t bat an eye – I got some strange looks. Oh well! Thank for the recommendation on sunscreen. I’m still looking for a great one. Thank you!
Hi Mel,
I mentioned after I read ths post that my husband was having a spot on his nose checked out by a dermatologist. As it turns out, he has carcinoma ( I assume basil cell but he couldn’t remember, but I’ll find out). ) It sounds like we will have pictures similar to the ones you posted . We know that he has had this spot for much longer than you, so we’re hoping and praying that it was, and is, a slow growing cancer? I ‘m preparing myself for a deep and far reaching procedure to remove it, but will b grateful if his incision is like yours. Who would have thought that someone would aspire to look like you did after your surgery That has to strike you as funny ! His surgery should be scheduled in about 4 weeks. The doctor didn’t seem to think it was urgent? In any case, it was your brave post and honesty that made us make the appointment ( or should I just say I made him make the appointment ). No need to respond but I will keep you posted on what happens after he has the surgery. Thanks Mel❤️
I sent you a personal email, Linda. 🙂
Hi Mel – Thank you for sharing your story. I am very cautious of the sun and thought I better give these Coolibar hats a try. My order arrived and the hats are too small. They are so cute and great quality. Any referrals for other SPF hats.. for larger domes? *wink wink.
Love your recipes! Thanks so much.
Darn, Breanna! I’m bummed they didn’t fit. I’ll look around through my notes of what others recommended and see if any are for larger hats and let you know.
Mel, thank you for sharing. I’ve been reading this blog for years now (first brought by the honey chicken recipe!) and I feel like I know you. I was telling my husband about this post, and he immediately knew I was talking about you–“Mel with the good recipes”–and I want to thank you for sharing. You’ve helped people feed their families, and you might’ve helped someone save a life with this post. Thank you! 🙂
This was so similar to what happened to me in Dec of 14! I went in for a spot on my back (ended up being nothing bad) and said, “Hey, what about this thing on the corner of my eyelid?” Two weeks later I had my MOHS surgery and plastic surgery on my eyelid because of the great choice my cancer made in where it had settled in.
So, if anyone reading this has a spot that doesn’t seem to want to heal and bleeds every so often, run to the dermatologist! Almost a year and a half later, I honestly can’t even see where my yucky scar was. Thanks for sharing this!
I’m a little late coming to this “party”, but I haven’t been getting online lately due to bad internet connection in my rural area. Thanks for sharing! You are a truly courageous person and an inspiration to all of us. I will keep you and others fighting this battle in my prayers!
oh – and thanks for the wonderful recipes!!!