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’m struggling with a new large scar from a basal right below my eye. It’s been 4 weeks and I don’t like looking in the mirror, I don’t feel like it’s me looking back. Just like you, I drive myself to the procedure and bawled the entire drive home. I feel vain for caring so much about it when I know I should be thankful it wasn’t worse. Thank you for sharing your story and photos. It gives me hope. I too wised up about sun exposure when my kids were born and I was in my 30’s. I realize this was an old post. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing. I hope you are well.
God bless you, child. You look absolutely beautiful now, and I pray you never have to deal with BCC again, or any of its nastier cousins.
PS … have derm appointment pending, just because I have some new spots over the last few years that might bear a look-see.
This is a great post. Your surgeon did a fantastic job stitching your nose together. I’ve had mohs several times, once on the ear which needed a graft, and several on my forehead. My “seamstress” was a magician, she managed to stretch enough skin to cover a pretty big hole (half inch by an inch) and now I need to look hard to find the scar.
Thank you for this journey of yours. I’ve had malignant melonoma removed from an arm (2004) & leg(2007), and have been vigilant before & since then. Most recently basal cell off the top of my head (2023), and just yesterday from the left side of my nose.
I’m so hopeful now that my nose will look ok in a few months. I’ve been so worried that I would have a crooked nose or huge scars.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have given me hope!
You are very blessed! Not only because it was caught that day, but that your doctor could do the MOHS procedure! Thank you for sharing and getting this information out to the public!
Good bless you. I hope your sharing will encourage others to have even small spots checked. I’m pushing the sunscreen on everyone, especially my grandchildren. My husband has had basil cell and mohs surgery. You were so so brave to share your story and pictures. I’m wishing you good health in the future. You’re still very pretty.
I think you are very brave to do this post. I think you will help some people with it. As far as teenagers probably not. Both my father and sister have had melanomas. Many in my family (including myself) have had basal cell carcinomas. My son ran cross country and track when he was in high school, but refused to wear sunscreen.
People please listen to Melanie.
So glad everything turned out ok. I had a small bump on my cheek that turned out to be melanoma. Surgery, with a 3 inch incision and 2-1/2 years later my scar is nearly invisible. I have also become an advocate for minimal sun exposure for everyone I know. I continue to see my dermatologist and oncologist regularly. Like you, I was lucky to get my bump checked out early, so my 5 year life expectancy is 97%. We are the lucky ones. Sun hats are a fashion must!
Your article was a real roller coaster to read but you handle it with great courage. Awful you have had to go through and endure all this, but if it gets one person to the doctor in time to save their life from something like this it is surely worth the effort you put in and the bravery to tell us your story regardless how graphic some people might feel it was.
I knew a guy at work who had 2 years until retirement. He was a plumber and worked his adult life to get to retirement. But he never had a colonoscopy done at age 50 when you are supposed to! And at age 60 found out he had colon cancer. A real “for lack of a nail” story since instead of getting to enjoy retirement, he lived another 2 excruciating years, dwindled away and just died instead.
Remembering him, when I turned 50 I wasted no time getting that colonoscopy myself-
Hi Mel, I have just come across your post, as I sit here scrolling on my phone after having surgery 6 days ago with skin graft on my nose tip It was amazing and comforting to read your feelings and experience and not feel so alone. Thank you so much and wish you and your family love ❤️
Lisa, Australia
Thank you so much for sharing this!! I have a pending biopsy on my nose that my dermatologist thinks is a basil cell. I am nervous about the scarring for the biopsy let alone if further surgery is needed. This makes me feel better.
Thanks for sharing! Glad you have healed up nicely. But, wow! Scary for sure! I too have a spot on my nose that needs checked out. I better get out done ASAP!
My 5 year old granddaughter has had 2 open heart surgeries, 1 lung surgery, had a gtube installed for several years. One of her favorite books is called My Scars, My Brave Adventure. Mel…your scars, your brave adventure. Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful face. You so so with Grace, with bravery, with humor. Bravo!
I remember reading this a while back when you posted about it, and it was no less jarring and tear-jerking reading it this second time. I know you weren’t seeking sympathy, but I feel it! So sorry you had to go through this. Thank you for opening up about this.
Hello,
I am so overwhelmed right now with your vulnerability and willingness to share your story. I have been studying information on the Mohs procedure for about 10 days since learning that I had infiltrating BCC. I also had the same concern about a mole on my back – same diagnosis as you.
I had Mohs yesterday, and after 2 rounds of work by my excellent doc, was found to be “clean”. Never before have I been so happy to hear those words.
Now for the healing…
Thank you so much for your wonderful words of wisdom and the pictures. This has helped me so much.
Oh yes, one more thing, my name is Melinda. Lots of people call me Mel. I noticed the name of your blog and I found you not by mistake but compliments of the Universe.
Peace to you. (I am a yoga teacher).
Thank you for sharing your story – how brave you were to chronicle your BCC journey with photos!
Just three days ago I had Mohs and was shocked with the extensive reconstruction necessary required on my nose. I’ve had several skin cancers but none compares to the this in terms of the process and recovery time required. Your post is a reminder to be patient, keep a positive attitude and eventually this too shall heal with hopefully as good as results as yours. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been going through this at such a young age while raising an active young family. May God bless you!
P.S. My cancer presented as a small flaky patch that was presumed to be a pre-cancer and “frozen” a few times before the biopsy was done – reminder to everyone to be persistent with your doctors when something doesn’t go away.
I think it was wonderful that you shared your skin cancer experience with everyone.
I know exactly what you went through. I have had 4 basal cell carcinomas and one squamous cell cancer removed from my face.
I have nagged my friends and family about sunscreen, wearing a hat, etc also.
I commend you on your education of your readers. Skin cancer is something most people know little about. After reading your story and seeing the pictures, a lot of people know a lot more now. I’m glad your scar healed so beautifully.
While I am sorry you had to go through this, I am very thankful to have found your post…. I just had Mohs a few weeks ago and also had plastic surgery (flap closure) on my right side wall (apparently a luckier place to have cancer because there’s more to work with). Your post gave me hope that it’s going to be OK….and reassurance that it’s also OK to avoid the sun and cover up! I hope you continued to heal well and that your skin stays healthy. Many thanks again.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I will be making changes moving forward for both myself and my children.
I feel you! I am going through the same thing now. I pray that I will heal as well as you have!
Your site popped up and I actually clicked on it (something I normally don’t do). I am so sorry you have had to go through skin cancer. It isn’t fun. I do have one little piece of advice for you. The note from your doctor stating no dishes or cooking for 2 weeks should have been for the original biopsy. The actual surgery to remove the cancer should have had another note for no dishes or cooking for 2 months.
I had pretty much the same MOHS procedure except the stitches were all dissolving so you don’t see them and they went between my eye and nose rather than across the top of nose. The bruising went all the way down to my mouth – had great difficulty eating. Half the stitches came out about a week after when I was quite yellow. Now, about a month after, more stitches are popping out and the swelling is going down. I can already see areas that look almost normal, so I am very pleased. I do massage the scar with a blend of rosehip oil, frankincense, and yarrow. Your post is the first I’ve seen that I can relate to. Thank you! Linda
I just had Mohs surgery for a spot on my right side of the nose near the right nostril. They took a size of a thumbnail but had to do it once. The next day the plastic surgeon did a bilobed flap essential moving the skin tissues from the left side of the nose to cover the spot on the right side. Scheduled to see him in seven days to remove the bandages and the stitches.
Your documentation of your journey is an inspiration to me and I’m sure to others.
Are you expecting a comment on recipe, but I’m scared. I had 2 encounters of small Mos surgery on nose and redness spots keep showing up, very tender. Skin taken from behind ear, but keep redness etc coming back, should I go to anther Mos doctor. I feel like I need more invasive surgery. One nostril, skin added. I won’t go out. My life if at a standstill. Karen
Karen, I just read your comment on Mel’s post. How are you doing? Will definitely be praying for you!!
Wow! It turned out beautiful. You have super cute nose! I hope it never comes back.
I am sitting here procrastinating about calling to make an appointment with a dermatologist!
Thank you for your uplifting story. Take care…
I was so thankful that I found this post and I thank you for re-living it in order to spread the importance of skin care.
It was also devine intervention when I took my oldest son to have a few (benign) moles removed, and the doctor saw my mole on the back of my arm – my ONLY mole – and stated that he would be removing it the following morning. It turned out to be malignant melanoma, but he got it all. The doctor later told me that I would have been dead in five years if he had not removed it.
God is so good. And, so surprising even though I shouldn’t have been surprised. He knew what I needed when I didn’t know at all.
Having Mohs surgery on the bridge of my nose on the 14th – THANK YOU for sharing, I am so scared but your healing is perfection and encouraging! I think I will share my story too!! xo
How did it go
I’m scheduled for next week. Tip of nose up to bone bridge. I’m terrified.
Thank you SOOO much for sharing. I just had my procedure on the 23rd. My spot was right by my tear duct and my stitches are all along the side of my nose. Thank you for sharing your photos. It is so awesome to see how well your scar has heAled. I’m looking forward to getting my stitches out on the 2nd !!!
You are a very courageous and beautiful woman with terrific and talented doctors! You are very blessed! It could have been so disfiguring, putting you into a terrible depression but you rose above it, maintained your sense of humor and carried on with love and support from your family, friends, supporters and the dear Lord. You are one amazing gal, Mel! You are inspirational!! A great role model to us all!
Lots of love and hugs,
Liz
I know this was a few years back lol..but im heading under the shaving knife the end of the month to take care of a basil cell carcinoma on my chin. Im not looking forward to it. Funny thing is, i went in because the sore wasnt healing. A little over a year i let it go. Going in it was immediately diagnosed but a biopsy was done just the same. While there..the dr saw a suspicious mole on my back. Biopsy showed it to be at the same stage of yours. Not melanoma but the stage before. It was removed right away and i waited another month for the chin. Im so sick of seeing this sore but nervous about the MOHS procedure they will do . Thanks for sharing. Not sure those pictures helped my nerves lol but the after pic sure does.
My brother, who lives in Hawaii, just went through this as well. It took 3 separate operations before they got it all. After 4 months I can’t even see where the scar is and he’s doing well. I hope you will, too.
PS. He ALWAYS wears sunblock!!!
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Thank you for this . I have a red spot like dried up blood & I’ve already seen a GP & he gave some ointment but had done any difference that was almost 2 months ago. Now I will definitely see him again as the spot is still there on the side of my nose.
I’ve been too self absorbed in my grief (lost my husband 8 months ago) to make another appointment & keep saying next week !! But this has opened my eyes seeing on YouTube another lady who recommended seeing your story. This started with itchiness under the skin & although I never scratched it I knew something isn’t right & finally this red scab!!
So now appointment with GP & hope he takes it seriously enough to refer me to a dermatologist.
Hilkka from Australia
I have a MOHs scheduled for tomorrow. My spot is under my left eye and nose area…. right where my glasses sit. I am scared and will be praying for strength like yours. I am supposed to work in 2 days. I cut hair. Doesn’t sound like it will be easy, but doable. And you’re right, we should be glad it isn’t worse. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your story.
I am calling right now and making an appointment as I have a spot on my nose also.
Mel – Thank you for being so forthcoming with your explanation of surgery. I have a basal cell carcinoma at almost the exact same spot, near the little crease in my nose. I had no idea that the plastic surgery would be quite like this. My initial appointment with the plastic surgeon is in 2 weeks. Your post helps me to be more informed and be able to ask smarter questions. Thanks to Pat Sloan for linking to you, hers is equally informative but your location is, pun intended, “spot on.” Hoping I can put it off til January…THANKS!
WOW
Thank you so much. I had a moh’s procedure 3 days in exact same area and then a flap. It is still sore and I am still bruised but definitely on the mend. You have helped me prepare for the following months in that you’re face looks amazing now. Stitches out next week. Glasses still hurt to wear for long.
Again, thank you
Pam
I just had Mohs on my nose yesterday and they also couldn’t find a suitable skin match for a graft. The surgeon was unable to completely close the site and I’ve been so upset, worrying about the final result. I CAN NOT thank you enough for sharing your story. My dear you have calmed my heart and Google rabbit holing head. Your brave picture by picture stage by stage shows your beauty of character. Your end result is amazing…our bodies are indeed a wonderment. With much thanks and appreciation. Judy B
Middle of the night in Amsterdam Netherlands, no sleep and searching the internet to find your post, I’m day 2 after my Mohs surgery and endless tears, fear of what’s coming. Exactly the same position and scar on the nose. With swelling on the eye, fear of looking at the scar tomorrow and how long it would take to have my life and decent face back:(
I’m joining others in asking kindly what did you put on it for healing?
Thank you so much if you could write me back
Hi Netta, I used a combination of rosehips oil, frankincense oil, helichrysum oil, and lavender oil. Good luck with your recovery!
Hi , i have just been to the doctor today, I had the same BCC in the same location, and they do not normally go for MOHS surgery in the UK so the first surgery wasn’t a success, I now have to go through it all again in around 3 weeks time, but this time they said it will need skin grafts
It’s so good to see how well you recovered, i hope i do as well, good luck with the future x
Hi, two days ago l got a nose scar due an accident with a sharp object t and l do have a sharp scar in my nose. Wondering if l will be normal again. I would like to connect with you to follow your advices. I am going trough the same feeling you might had at that moment.
Wow! As I read your story it’s almost identical to my situation! I’m currently healing from my Moh’s surgery and plastic surgery to repair the exact same spot like yours! The spot would never heal so I finally made it to the dermatologist.
I’m only on day 3 after procedure and have a few more days until I have my stitches removed. When they did my procedure they went in 3 x to get clear margins which resulted in the huge hole on my nose. Plastic surgeon did a skin graft using skin between my eyebrows. I’m so glad I ran across your story while searching facial skin cancer healing. Thank you for sharing! You healed up perfectly and gives me hope for my outcome!
Hi Mel – I have just had Mohs surgery and a skin graft (was to be a skin flap but hole was too big) on my nose last week. Due to have my wound dressing and suture removed tomorrow! I am in the UK and had been waiting a while for the surgery and was honestly petrified. I wanted to do some research and have to say I read your blog a number of times (and got family members to read it too) – it was a God send. I so appreciated you doing it – it really helped me. And I also found Pat Sloan’s account of her experience really helpful too. So I have done a similar thing on Instagram – as I could not see that anyone in the UK had done a personal journey (and believe me I looked!), and also as we have a different medical service (NHS). Anyone wanting to see/follow my journey in pictures from when I first noticed my freckle/spot to my surgery last week – my account is:
https://instagram.com/mybcc.story?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
and I hope it helps with those in the UK and waiting on the NHS. Thank you again, Mel – you look great. You don’t know how much I appreciated it and how your inspired me (as did Pat). Nikki x
I just had my pedicule flap removed 2 days ago so this really is personal to my experience. I also had a spot right where yours was. I have been very worried about the whole experience not to mention the outcome on my face afterwards. I now have 18 stitches that will be removed in a week but what will my face look like? I am hopeful to have the same outcome as you. Thank you for posting in detail.
Hi Mel
Thank you for your story as I am undergoing Mohs surgery on my nose this week on a Basal Cell Carcinoma, I hope my surgery will be as successful as yours.
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for sharing. My brother in law had basal cell carcinoma, and he lost a tear duct, but was very blessed that it had not attached to his eye.
Thank you for being so brave in your story! Would you mind also sharing what you used for scar treatment?
Hi Kristine, I used a combination of rosehips oil, frankincense oil, helichrysum oil, and lavender oil.
Thank you so much for your post! I am on day two from my basal cell Moh’s surgery in the same location. When did you start applying the oils and how? Did you use a carrier oil or apply one at a time over the scar after the stitches are out?
Just read your article about basal cell carcinoma on your nose. I, too, was diagnosed with it..twice! The first time was treated with a topical chemo that ate away layers of skin. Some years later it returned. The MOHS procedure was done that time, right down to the nose cartilage no now have a crater that makes my nose look like a ski jump! Lol. It’s better than losing it all together. Two melanoma removals before that diagnosis has made me a sunscreen fanatic! You healed up beautiful! Thank you for posting your experience and encouraging others to get checked.
God bless you!
Your story is amazing. I had Mohs a month ago and my face is bad. I’m praying for half the recovery. Any tips for the scar? You look beautiful and thank you for your time!
Thanks for writing the blog post. I have just got the appoint letter for my first biopsy on my nose. I initially thought it was caused by reacting to the metal nose strip on masks during the early years of the pandemic, when the bridge of my nose began to get sore. It didn’t heal, even when I changed to a different type of mask. I mentioned it to my GP (PCP) several times but they were unconcerned.
I was had a dermatology appointment for an unrelated issue last week and mentioned it at the end. The dermatologist was concerned, and things have move fast since then.
Yes, I am scared of the surgery and how I might look afterwards. It is right below the ridge of my nose where the flesh is very thin. I wear glasses, can’t wear contacts, and my eyesight is terrible I can’t wear my specs. Plus part of my work involves doing TV and face to face appearances. So yes, I’m worried. But not quite as worried after reading your post.
I hope you have continued to make a good recovery and the cancer hasn’t returned.
Hi Susan, I am having the MOHS surgery in March and have had the small spot on my nose (same place as yours) since 2017 with doctors saying they were “keeping an eye on it”. I finally opted for a biopsy and it came back as micronodular basal cell. Would you be willing to share the type of cancer you had and results of your surgery! (praying all went well) My dermatologist keeps saying she thinks the surgery will be minor but after six years and reviewing blogs I’m not optimistic.
On the exact location of your BCC I had a smaller yellow spot that after 3 passes of MOHs, turned out to be 3 different kinds of BCC. I left the office dazed and looked much like you bandage-wise and what was under. It healed nicely. Except it came back. Not quite 2 years later a barely visable spot was biopsied and another MOHs was done. Yes, I can win the very rare repeat MOHs but not the Lottery. It took a single pass that time. I was told if it came back there wouldn’t be enough skin to fix the defect. So I barely went out and covered the nose often. Three’s the charm. At my 6 month check (yes they were making me come back for a total body check every 6 months and I am excluding what happened at those times. There was another spot very close to the scar and this time I was sent for 5 weeks of radiation and that made my nose red and did away with the spot. Fast forward to Jan of 2021. A small bit of rough skin on that nostril that dipped down inside my nose, barely there but won’t go away. That time MOHs took most of my nostril and plastic surgery took two different surgeries to somewhat put it back. And lots of those nose needles again. So far that’s it with my nose. Now we are on to my upper lip just below that area on my nose. I am now 72. I was very rarely a sun bather because I burned instead. But my mother told me I burned to blistering as a baby several times. Mel, I would like to really thank you for letting me put this down. I had no idea you went thru this too. I read your above message plus many others below and marvelled at the strength of us all. Now I’m going to pick out one of your wonderful recipes to enjoy.
God bless you, Maureen. I hope you’re doing well and still fighting the good fight!