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.
I am so glad I found this post! I had a SCC on my lip removed via 2 lots of surgery, one being Mohs, in 2017. I then had 6 weeks of radiation. The scar runs from just under my left eye to my top lip. Late last year my dermatologist asked me about the “sore” on the right side of my nose. I said it has been there for years and sometimes it bleeds. He did a biopsy, BCC was the result. I have just seen a surgeon and will be booked for more Mohs in the next month. He is going to use a skin graft from the front of ear and I am very anxious. I was told I could have just a local however I have elected general anaesthetic due to my anxiety plus the length of time he has estimated it will take. Seeing your results have really eased my mind and I hope my surgery, and recovery, goes as well as yours.
Thank you for your brave and helpful post. My biopsy showing nasal cell was the size of a pencil eraser and had healed, so I was not prepared for 2 inches of stitches under my left eye after Moh’s surgery. My uncle posted a picture of him holding baby me on the beach in the 60s. All I could think was, put a hat on that baby!
I am grateful for Mohs. My surgeon is one of the few who do it in our area. He told me a new patient of his first went to a dermatologist and plastic surgeon. They operated, stitched him up, sent him home, a week later, called to say they didn’t get it all. He went back and the same thing happened. Only after that did he find a Mohs surgeon who checks the slide while you are still in the office. You look great and give us all hope.
My BCC subtype is nodular and infiltrating. The rubbery little iceberg really does have a lot of activity underneath.
Thank you for your encouraging post. I am in day four with a 12cm scar from my eye to my mouth. Feeling like a monster?…absolutely….feeling like hiding away and taking down all the mirrors in the house?…every one of them. However your post gave me light….hang in there I shall….
Thank you so much for this post and for being so brave as to post it!
I noticed my BCC in December 2018 and went backwards and forwards to the doctors for 12 months as he thought it was an infected pore and just gave me antibiotics. Eventually I went for a private full body mole check (I’m in the UK) and the dermatologist wanted one abnormal mole removed ASAP and said I needed to get booked in for MOHS for my nose. Same place as yours, and I had it removed almost 3 weeks ago now. I’m in the early stages of healing but my scar looks great. My concern is that the skin flap itself is raised and doesn’t fit the original contours of my nose. The surgeon took skin from my cheek, so the scar sits in the shadow of my cheek when I smile, so below where yours is.
Really hoping it settles down soon, as my face is so different. I’m only 39 and the surgeon apologised to me for having one of these so young. I was in the waiting room with 70 year olds!
My 7 year old cried when he first saw me without the dressing and it’s getting easier now that the scary stitches have long gone. I’m using a silicone gel to try and prevent too much scaring so guess I will just have to wait it out and hope for the best..
Hi! I just went through a similar situation and am starting the healing post-stitches. Any tips on your scar therapy I can learn from? Your results are amazing and I’m hopeful mine will turn out well too. Have to say it was more traumatic than I expected..
Just read your blog about your BCC/Mohs journey. Was searching the internet about why my scar is twitching after Mohs surgery and your blog came up.
I so appreciate you sharing your story. I had surgery almost a week ago and never dreamed that it would be this emotionally draining. Reading your story gave me hope and makes you realize you’re not alone. I’m a few days away from the stitches coming out. I can’t wait to get these things out of my face.
Thanks for sharing your journey. It’s a fascinating surgery that I’m super grateful for but had no idea how overwhelming it would be to recover. I’ve told my friends the same about being out in the sun with long sleeves, sunscreen and an umbrella!♀️ Many blessings,
Tammy Young
Thanks to Google for posting Mel’s experiences at the top of their list. I am close to 80 and scheduled once again for facial MOHS – too much sun and too little sunscreen/clothing.
Reading all the suggestions and reactions from everyone encourages me to remain active rather than give into the temptation to hide, fearful my blotchy, scarred face will repel everyone.
Wow. I just had the same surgery on the right side of my nose nostril today. I’ve had mohs before on my forehead and lots of their big skin cancers removed. This was way different. I really wasn’t prepared in my head for what happened. I had no idea that the skin from around the area would need to be stretched over. My eye is already swollen and black. In hindsight maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t have too much advance know,edge. God willing I never have another one is such a bad location. Your end pictures give me hope, your early pictures give me insight into the next days to several weeks. Thank you.
Can I ask you what pain meds they gave you? I am super paranoid and OTC meds barely make a dent for me.
I just used ibuprofen and tylenol. Sorry not more help!
I’m about to go through this procedure in March 2020. I am really nervous about the scarring. It has been about 4 years since your procedure. Has your scarring/discoloration lessened? Would you please post an updated picture?
I am from the US but not currently living there. I live in a culture where deformation is looked down upon. And there is no skin cancer here due to their darker skin. This is why I am so hesitant.
Thank you for your posts! I pray that you are fully free of cancer!
Words will never be able to express how grateful I am for your honesty. Just two days ago I had MOHS surgery on the exact same location. I showed my husband your post and at first he I thought it was something I wrote . Your description of the ride home was literally everything I felt. God Blessed me with finding your blog. You have given me so much hope. From the bottom of my heart thank you.
I just had basal cancer removed from the side of my nose, same spot as your picture. The dr had to keep cutting bigger and deeper til the biopsy said I was clear. It went all the way thru my nostril. The dr didn’t tell me until my next visit. She could see how anxious I was getting laying on the table! Instead of the MOHS surgery she used placenta tissue for skin graft. It is what they are using more and more now. It’s also used on diabetic patients that have the leg wounds that won’t heal. Anyway, after having 3 placenta graphs my nose still has a nasty scar but after reading this post I will purchase that Maderma to lessen the scar. And I got the lecture about taking better care of my skin too. Buying hats and sunscreen and wearing them! Even in the winter! Thanks for sharing and caring Mel! Love your recipes, keep them coming!
Thansk for the read, I’m due for surgery tomorrow and somewhat anxious! More so coming home to my two children and not really knowing how I will be post surgery. I’m young also and it’s quite scary to read average age for surgery is 68-70!
Thanks for your words and it’s helping me prepare for tomorrow
Thanks
Bec
Australia
My dermatologist counseled dermalmd scar serum and I use this scar serum after surgical procedure to put off a melanoma. The scar left on my neck turned into huge and rough. After the use of Dermalmd serum for approximately 3 weeks the pores and skin changed into so clean the scar has disappeared.
Thank you for sharing your story, photos and timeline. I had a Mohs procedure last week and was feeling isolated and unsure until I read your story and everyone’s comments. I laughed out loud when I saw the last comment was left 2 days ago – your surgery was literally years ago! This told me there are other people out there needing information, looking at your photos, maybe comparing your stitches to theirs, (That’s what I was doing) wondering if things are healing correctly…anyway, thank you for showing all of us how awesome your skin looks after 3 months. Also, thank you for the humor in your story. I feel lighter for some reason. And I needed that. I have faith it will all turn out the way it’s supposed to but I’m also human and wondered if I was progressing normally. Now I know I am. Now I know I need to look into essential oils! Now I also know I need to stop complaining about sleeping on my back. You didn’t complain once in your story and your incision was much longer than mine so again, thank you. Complaining is not a good look and really, I am grateful now. I wasn’t. But I am now. And I feel less alone. Thank you again.
Wow, you healed very nicely! I have had 5 mohs procedures and just found out after 5 years of being cancer-free, I have a squamous cell on top of my nose. Worst place ever. But looking at your images, I feel a little better. Glad you healed and hope you don’t have to have anymore procedures!
I had mohs surgery on my nose in September. It was a huge area, and they grafted skin from behind my ear. It doesn’t look normal and it doesn’t feel normal. We’ll see. Thank you for sharing your story. Like you I had no idea how invasive it was going to be, and I’m still in shock that I may look like this for the rest of my life. But it appears they got all the cancer cells.
You look beautiful and write beautifully!
I came here for the molasses bread but I read this post. It takes a lot of courage to share something like this. I have a dog-bite scar on my face. I have often questioned whether that is all people see. We are all so much more than our jobs, our pasts and our scars. The healing of your scar is really amazing. It looked gruesome at first but it really is hardly noticeable- it looks more like dry skin than a scar 🙂 I’m happy you got through that, shared it with the people combing your site for good eats. I really felt this, thank you.
Wow you have healed very well. It brought back memories of one of my procedures . My eye went so black and swelled so much I couldn’t open it for a week.
My first skin cancer was a malignant melanoma on the inside of my left calf muscle ( luckily I had gall bladder problems and was in shorts when I seen this gastroenterologist, he seen it while I was laying on the bed in his conciliation room) He did an excision right there. Called me back 5 days later and it was Clark level 2 and no invasion to lymphatic system in my groin. Five years later I had a BCC on my right ear lobe. So got the call back and that visit I lost all of my earlobe, kinda cute little pixie ear on that side. 4 years On and an invasive BCC with invasion to my nerves was found on the right side of my nose close to my eye. I had a full thickness skin graft and a round of radiation to make sure it was clear. Now 6 More years on I am booked in on 20th December to have a spot excision on the right side of my nose, ( just down from the last one , I just hope it’s not a reacurrence ) doc said she knows what it is and won’t bother with a biopsy there. That day I also am having a shave biopsy on the back of my right shoulder and a core biopsy on a spot on my right boob. I never once ever sunbathed, my 2 older sisters did with reef oil so they would burn And they have never had a skin cancer. Yet sunburns I still managed to get have come back with a vengeance. I never let it get to me, I don’t sweat the small stuff but oh boy the healing process the week after is so painful.
Happy healing to everyone.
Harpy
My dear, you are so very lucky. I am a retired esthetician and worked as a medical assistant to an Atlanta dermatologist. Everyone – WEAR SUNSCREEN – but make sure it is natural and free of the harmful chemicals.
I had a similar experience this summer – blessed with excellent and caring doctors who took me from a similar before photo, thru stitches, to a new after picture. So grateful for them, for the body’s healing ability – wish I had known all this when I was 16! and baking in the sun!!
Hang in there. You look terrific. I have Gorlins syndrome and have had many basal cells removed from my face that heal quickly and invisibly…but just had my first nose basal cell removal and Wow different ball game. Will take much longer to feel like myself again. Xo
Thank you for sharing that.
I’m glad that the wound healed. You look prettier then ever 🙂
I would suggest everyone to get them selves check by an ENT specialist on monthly basis. You never know when something bad/allergic might get you.
I have been showing myself for the past 8 months to a ent doctor in great neck and trust me it feels great. I can feel my immune system doing all its work and I have not been sick for the past 8 months. Before that I always had some sort of illness walking to me to say hi!
Mel, you are beautiful inside and out! You healed up beautifully; God is so awesome, nothing is too hard for Him! My husband has had the MOHS surgery 2 times for bad spots on his bald head; it has been somewhat traumatic for him; my heart goes out to you both. All the best, Rita
Your nose Mohs post has been tremendously helpful to me. I had mine in late September & it’s 5 weeks after. Mine was basal cell carcinoma, too. It was small, but my nose is tiny. You look great now! So enjoyed your story & you know I sgare your pain. Mary Wilson
Thank you Melanie (and others too!) for sharing your stories. I’m so glad I somehow stumbled across this online. Melanie, my BCC (and reconstruction) was almost identical to yours, and right now I’m still in the grotesque bruising/swelling stage, so I can’t tell you how comforting it is to see your “after” photos of your beautiful face and amazing recovery. I am grappling with feelings of self-pity (I was a model for over 20 years, so my face/appearance was literally my bread and butter), shame and guilt (why oh why did I spend all that time in the sun as a young person?!), as well as anger at myself for being a “baby” (I’m a Registered Nurse and see people every single day who must undergo things far, far worse than this). Anyway, thanks again to everyone for sharing your personal stories – definitely helping me have hope and get perspective.
Great that you healed!
I have been reading many of the comments and my heart breaks for all of us that have had to endure the surgeries and being disfigured. I had my first when I was 27 years old. I was always the youngest person in the waiting room full of 70 year olds. I knew NO ONE in my age group that had skin cancer. There was no social media to find kindred spirits and share our stories. Now I see so many of you and I am so sorry for pain and trauma you all have had, I have had so many over the years that it should be a natural part of my life. My face has done fine the last couple of years with the yearly Blue Light treatment, mineral sunscreen daily and other preventive means I have found. Unfortunately, later this month at 67 years old, I face having two places removed from right under my bottom lip. The only thing I can figure is that area was more prone to lose the sunscreen with meals and water. I probably should have reapplied every time! I wish when I was younger I wore mineral sunscreen and sun protective clothing every single day. Now I even got a great real hair piece to cover my scalp when outside which can be as short as to and from work, lunches and errands. You can’t always wear a hat! Don’t forget your hands, ears, and chest in addition to your face, The word cumulative means that one day that next dose of sun radiation may be all that is required before the cancer shows up. You can’t let your guard down for second. Take my advice and change your life to improve the odds that you will not see more and more as the years go by,
BTW even at my age, I care greatly how I look and it is still a pain to interrupt my life for the ordeal ahead!
Thanks for listening.
Thank you for sharing your story and being brave enough to share all the photos! I hope everyone will take skin cancer seriously. I would like to see much more research done on additional preventive measures we can take – Blue Light, 30% Vit C, Niacinamide 2x a day, Etc. How soon did you start the Mederma? What did you use from the Mederma.com?
Thank you in advance!
Thank you for posting this. Just had my 7th 8th ones removed from my face and neck this week. Wasn’t expecting it to be a big deal. Now I have stitches from lower lip to my jaw. With swelling my smile resembles someone who has had a stroke. I know it will get better but it is not an easy place to walk through.
I’m due to attend a work meeting in another week so I am going to remember you and the courage you displayed putting these pics online
Lisa, I hope you are doing better. I can really understand how you feel about your face and work. Having had serious skin cancer for 30+years, it never gets easier especially with the face. It is impossible to face the work environment with bandages and scars . It
Seems worse if you are a women!
I am so relieved after looking at your pictures and reading your story..I had my surgery yesterday on my nose…didnt quite expect to look like this…Dr said he was so happy with the results and I was like what the heck…seeing how great you look gives me hope..thank you….
Sharlene
I am so sorry that you had to experience something so scary! I have had a surgery of my own. I used to be so insecure about my nose. My nose was too big. I decided it was time to do something about it. I was so tired of getting made fun of, so I bit the bullet and got a nose job. I found Dr. Sadrian on the website Sadrian Plastic Surgery. I have heard nothing but good things about this doctor, so I set up a consultation. I ended up proceeding with the surgery and I don’t regret it. However, this surgery is not for everyone. If you are feeling insecure about yourself, I suggest looking into plastic surgery or other things that can make you feel better about yourself. My big nose was very embarrassing for me to walk around with, but I found the solution for me. If you have any questions about the surgery or the process, feel free to ask!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I am 3 weeks post op for BCC on my nostril. It was just a little cut that wouldnt heal, did not look like cancer at all. Well 2 biopsies and 2 mohs surgeries Over the past 2 years later left me with no nostril. I had reconstructive surgery using a flap from my cheek, and just recently had the flap removed. I am so swollen that I cannot even tell if the nostrils will match. I may need future “revisions” and treatment to the scar tissue. I kick myself for the sun worshipping I did as a teen and am constantly after my teenagers to use sunscreen.
Thank you so much for this post. I’m having my first facial Mohs procedure next Thursday. I’ve had one to a basal cell carcinoma on my chest, but this new one is on my nose, pretty much exact same spot as yours, and after unadvisedly googling images, I stumbled onto your post which gives me some peace of mind that I will survive and it’s not the end of the world. Not going to be fun, I know. But again, thanks for these encouraging pics and posts. If we don’t share the lessons we’ve learned going through the tough stuff, the the tough stuff has no value and was just tough!!
I am so happy that I was brave enough to read your blog. I am in tears right now because im freaking out about having Mohs Surgery and how big of a scar it is going to leave on my face above my lip. I was just diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma and having my consultation next Friday. I am so frightened and out of my mind. I am quite sure I will need plastic surgery. OMG dont know what to do!!!!!I I am a 68year old female and had 2 mohs surgery 2 years ago one on my back and one on my shoulder. I was so nervous they had to give me Valium. I cannot imagine having Mohs Surgery on my face!!!!I guess its do or die!!!!
I just had Mohs surgery 10 days ago on my face between nose and lip. It was terrifying and much more traumatic then I was prepared for. Your comments were perfect!! Never thought I was that vain either but was already starting to get self conscious of getting older and now this! Definitely feeling sorry for myself but reading all these stories help. I do think across the board that mohs surgeons need to prepare everyone better especially when it is on our face. Hoping for good healing for everyone!
Hey Mel,
Thanks so much for documenting your healing process. I am amazed at how fully you healed in such a short time.
I just had a mole removed from underneath my eye 1 week ago. I am freaking out a bit because it is super red, gnarly, and looks like it might scar.
Can you give any advice as to what essential oils you used, and how often? Did you dilute them? I tried using a drop of Frankincense straight from the bottle, and I think it is too strong and maybe better used when the would is more healed (it irritated my skin and made it redder).
I would love any advice you can give. I am freaking out a bit, naturally.
Thanks and take care,
Katie
So I just had mine done (left tip of nose) two days ago. Both eyes black and blue and swollen (left worse) and today even my lower face is red under the skin. Bandage is so big my nostrils are almost covered and I can hardly see for the bandage. But my doctor and nurses were great. 2nd day and I feel almost worse than yesterday (no energy, slightly nauseous which could be the antibiotic). Is all of the severe redness on my face to be expected?
The first few days are awful! Don’t get too discouraged…it’s amazing how the body heals over time. Be patient with yourself and your body. I had a lot of redness as well.
Hi! I had a very similar story to yours, including the crying car ride home. I thought it was no big deal until I saw the crater in my face and my nose looks like Frankenstein’s monster. Thank you for sharing this. You are beautiful, before and after, but I am so freaked out right now and I feel like you just have me a little arm squeeze and told me it is goi g to be just fine.
I’m so sorry, Amy! These first few days are the roughest – hang in there! It will get better!
I so appreciate this blog post as I just had surgery this week to remove a fairly large squamous cell carcinoma from my face. I consider myself a pretty tough guy but I gotta tell you it was a bit humbling to look in the mirror and see the 4-5 inch line of sutures across my face and all the redness and swelling associated with it.
It was so good to read your realistic but positive story and it really helped me put things in perspective…the cancer is out and this is something that I can handle. Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us. You
AM
Thank you for sharing your story, Mel! I just had a very similar surgery done this week, and seeing your amazing recovery gives me hope. I was going to write a similar post to share with my network, but you’ve done such an great job documenting your journey that I feel I have nothing to add.
Like you, I am not a beach or tanning bed lover and have an office job. Even my genetic testing results said that I have lower than average risk of skin cancer. Lower but not non-existent, I guess.
I used to cringe when I thought of using sunscreen daily, but I am now discovering that there are new generations of sunscreen products with much more pleasant textures that are al lot easier to apply and don’t look greasy. Skin protection will be my new priority.
It is not the sun that gives cancer.
It relates to what is going on inside the gut and dumps out into the skin, which as you know, is our largest organ.
Cancer is the result of an immune system failure –
And refined sugar (along with fungus in the body) suppresses the immune system and feeds cancer cells.
also- you have many moles (eyebrow – cheek – forehead) and that might be related to a clogged liver.
Think gut health
Just some things to consider
peace and grace to you
🙂
Your nose Mohs post has been tremendously helpful to me. I had mine in late September & it’s 5 weeks after. Mine was basal cell carcinoma, too. It was small, but my nose is tiny. You look great now! So enjoyed your story & you know I share your pain. Mary Wilson
I’ve also have several basal cells removed (starting in my early 30s). I don’t even like the sun, but I have lived in several sunny areas. I avoid being in sun as much as possible, but it still got me. The first one was behind my left ear, the second under my right eye, and the third was on the left side of my nose. The first two were within a few years of one another and both times I actually went in with a different skin concern but then did (just like you) the “oh, and this spot is weird…” The one behind my ear was scaly and bled, but the one under my eye looked like a tiny pimple. The third time (10 years AFTER the first two), I had two growths on the side of my nose. One was nothing, one was cancer.
The first dermatologist I had commented on the fact that quite a number of basal cells on the left side of faces and necks because of the amount of time spent driving and the sun exposure from that alone. Made sense to me!
Glad your face healed up so nicely! I am currently sporting a big hole on the side of my nose and I hope it heals soon.
I’m sorry to hear about your story. I just want to make it clear that sunscreen is magnitudes more harmful than the sun. Sun does not cause skin cancer. Sunscreens however, do cause cancer. The battle between mainstream and alternative sources of information will have you believe otherwise.
Hi I to had a BBC removed from my nose on the 10th of July this year I am paranoid about it I still have to have a further 2 operations on the same spot I also have a big history of cancer cells I had them in my stomach my cervix and my breast so there is a big history of this I my family so I am understanding what you went through I couldn’t accept to look at my face at first I have since accepted it although it’s been so hard I have been through so much this past year and in previous years I am here to tell my life story this has been and still is a difficult situation for me to handle but people like you give us hope to get through it
I’m sorry for all you’ve had to deal with, Marina!
I’ve been following your blog for a long time now. I too had a spot on my nose and cheek and finally got into a dermatologist today. Basal cell carcinoma. Got a biopsy and will know on Friday if I need to get MOHS surgery next week. I’m petrified and scared out of my mind after seeing the pictures of your ordeal. My 35 year-old naive brain didn’t realize the MOHS procedure was so aggressive. But I am grateful for you being candid and open about this topic. It does give me hope that this can be treated. I may have to make a bunch of your recipes to emotionally eat through all of this. Thank you!
Oh man, Callie! I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It is really, really hard to deal with and don’t feel guilty about any of your angst…honestly, looking at it on the other side, I’m amazed at how my face has healed. It’s amazing how the body repairs itself AND what the medical community can do to help. Good luck! Keep me posted.
your story has given me hope! Our stories are so similar it’s almost like reading about myself. Here I sit post op day number 2 after having basal cell carcinoma removed from the left side of my nose. I’ve been very emotional since removing the bandages and I can say with 100% certainty that God brought me to your page. Not only do I have hope after reading about your journey but faith that everything is going to turn out ok! Thank you so much for being open and sharing your story!
Can I ask when you started to apply the Mederma? Thanks in advance
Hi Stephanie! It’s amazing how many people have had basal cell in that same spot on their nose! Must be a popular spot for the pesky cancer. I started applying topical scar treatments like mederma after the stitches came out. Good luck with your recovery!
Melanie,
Thank your for sharing your story !
I too have had MOHS for Basal Cell Cancer (right upper nose) back in December of 2000. I remember looking a lot like you did in your images, only I ended up with two black eyes, most likely because of the area of my BCC. I also had a small flap and came home that afternoon with 57 (a number I’ll always remember) tiny sutures on my nose. I had the procedure done on December 9th and later regretted it because I was still looking and feeling pretty crappy at Christmas that year. Thankfully, over time and with the help of Mederma it healed perfectly and now (19 years later you can’t even tell I have had it done.
The bad news is that I now have a second basal cell on my upper lip *mustache area” and it’s spread into the top of my L upper lip. I had NO clue this was going to be another BCC as it looks totally different than my first one. This is is a Superficial Basal Cell. Totally different then my first one, which was very much like yours. I thought that was actually a pimple and I used to pick at it, thinking it was a pimple, but it kept coming back. My Family MD noticed it when day, while I was there with my son for a check up. He told me right away it looked like a classic basal cell and referred me to a Plastic Surgeon.
I consulted with the Plastic Surgeon, and she did a shave biopsy, the path comes back that this one is a Superficial BCC and now they are recommending I have it treated by Radiation and have referred me to a Radiation Oncologist the work with who specializes in skin cancers. They originally thought they would treat it by “Curettage and Electrodesiccation” but after she shared my case with a fellow Plastic Surgeon and a Dermatologist, all three felt that and MOHS was not the best option and want me to see the Rad Onc, who I meet on August 12th. Because I thought this was a rash (looks like a scaly/peeling rash (almost of Eczema), I ignored it for some time. It’s now approximately 2 cm and involves my lip, which it what makes it so complex. From what I’m learning the lip is such a delicate area and doing any type of excision, makes it much more difficult and hard to achieve great result without scarring. This is why she no longer wants to try to “Excise” it (even with MOHS).
Ironically, I am also now battling Stage IV LC, and have already experienced radiation to my lung tumors, and did not care for it. I can only imagine what that would do to my face and it scares me even worse then surgery, even though I am not a big fan of surgery. I also have been through a specialized type Radiation for a Brain Met. It too was successful, but as someone who has severe claustrophobia it was a very difficult procedure for me to go through.
I am not happy or excited and had hoped it would be easier to treat. Apparently, it’s a very tough area to do MOHS on they feel I’d have much better results if I had Radiation.
Just wondering IF you have noticed if many of the several hundred people who have commented have mentioned having Radiation as their treatment. I honestly can’t find lot of info out there and like to research all my treatments. My consult is on August 12th.
Thank for any input you can provide. I found your blog from a fellow LC patient who also had Radiation for a BCC on his lower nose with good results. Feel free to email and thank you for you time.
Best wishes,
Lisa
I am in my 3rd week of a 4 week radiation treatment for basal cell carcinoma on my nostril. I was told MOHs was my only option by my dermatologist, but my research showed that MOHS is 94-97% effective and radiation is 92-95% effective. I will have no scars but the area may either be lighter or darker 6 months down the road. It takes less than 10 min a day. (About 45 sec of radiation and the rest is lying down and the nurses getting things ready. If the spot comes back I still have the option of MOHS later, but I didn’t want to risk it a few months before my daughter’s wedding. I also have other medical concerns that makes surgery not a great option for me so I avoid it if I can. Check with a radiation oncologist if you think surgery might not be for you.
Be careful in picking someone to do the radiation. I had that done in the 90’s and thought great no stitches and bandaids, but it was a nightmare in the oozing
etc and today the Discoloration (white) necessitates me having to wear a lot of coverage make-up to hide the white spot on nose.
OMG I’m getting nervous. Had a biopsy on tip of nose and have been seeing how invasive MOHS is. My mom had one behind her ear, so scar is hidden and other in crease of nose. I go for a consult soon. This is scary. I have another spot on my leg and will probably need surgery on that too. I’m nervous how much they need to do. Praying for something not terribly invasive.
I had MOHS done on my nose on 7/9/19, they went in 3 times to get it all, the area looked pretty deep to me but I was “lucky” that no cartilage was involved. Two days later I had a skin graft with skin from behind my ear. I had the stitches out 4 days ago and cried and cried. The graft is front and center on my nose, very, very red and the surrounding skin looks uneven . There is a fair sized depression on the left side where the most tissue was remove – that upsets me a lot. My nose seems flat, like a boxers “cabbage nose”. I’m so upset by all this. the plastic surgeon says once things heal there are things we can do, but i think anything discussed to improve the appearance will be considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance. There’s no way I could afford it. There’s only so much makeup is going to be able to do. It’s very hard , right now so soon after the surgery, to not concentrate on how awful I may end up looking (forever!). I want to be resilient and be grateful that the cancer was removed, but I feel like a cupcake, ready to crumble.
I think those feelings are totally valid and normal – give yourself time to mourn! I’m sorry you have to suffer through this. It is more traumatic than one would think, especially when the affected area is on your face. You might ask your surgeon or doctor about insurance coverage – I’ve had a couple of laser treatments on my MOHS area of my nose to lessen reddening and several other things to reduce scar tissue and all have been covered under insurance because it was related to the prior MOHS surgery.
Mel, what type of laser did you have? Did that flatten out the area?
Thank you for sharing your post. Last August I had surgery to remove, what I thought, was a mole just beneath my mole. It had grown and bled every time I washed and dried my face. I t turned out to be basal cell carcinoma. I wasnt even worried about the basal carcinoma! I was told it is normally noninvasive, that it didnt typically spread to lymph nodes. Imagine my surprise, when I woke up, and had stitches all the way down to my lip. As it healed their were 3 small blister looking bumps. I was told to massage them several times a day and they should disappear. At first they got bigger though. July 3rd I had a second surgery. The cancer had come back. July 15th I went to the doctor to have my stitches removed. I was in a great mood. I was ready to have the stitches removed and be done with it once and for all. My husband and I were shocked by the news! The pathologist found cancer still. So yesterday, July 18th, I had my 3rd surgery in less than a year. The first 2 surgeries the scarring wasn’t too bad. This time he cut all the way through my lip and cut a wedge, like a pie, peice out of my lip. I have a lot more stitches, though nothing compared to yours.
I took the first 2 surgeries in stride. Not this time! I go back this coming Friday and I’m really scared.
I sincerely thank you for sharing your story. It gave me the courage to tell mine. It also helps to see your nose has healed beautifully. Sorry this reply is so long. I just had to get that off my chest. God bless you.
I am so sorry and know how you feel. How are you doing now?
Deirdre, God bless you. I felt your anguish as I read your post. I’m 7 weeks post-Moh’s on my upper right lip. The BCC ended up being much more invasive than anticipated the dermatologist cut 3 times. He did an excellent job on the surgery as it’s healing so well. While I’m so grateful the wound is healing well, I’m battling living in constant fear of it returning in the same area… thus, my deep empathy for you having to endure your trial with this. I return for my check up mid-May and am hopeful if it does return, that it will never again require such an invasive surgery. Deirdre, I pray for healing and wholeness for you and recommend Jeremiah 30:17: “For I will restore your health to you and I will heal your wounds, says the Lord.” I meditate on this scripture often. I hope it brings you peace. Again, God bless you and I hope you are doing well and finally cancer-free since this post!
Living this nightmare right now. Had MOHS on my left cheek on 7/8/19 and I look l have a very angry snake coming down my cheek. The bruising and swelling were the part that scared me the most. I also am having problems closing my left eye completely. You have given me hope that not only will I survive this horrible dream but I will be stronger because of it.
Thank you for being so brave and sharing your story. I am grateful to know that I am not alone.