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.
My mom just went through a similar experience earlier this year. It’s so scary! I’m glad you’re healing so well, and what a good reminder to be sun safe. Thanks, and much love!
Hi. I never comment on blogs but this post made me want to tell you stuff. I’ll be quick. A friend told me about your blog a few years ago and I’m so so glad she did. Finally a blog that gives consistently good recipes. Like every recipe I make of yours (and it’s almost all of them) have been so good! Other cooking blogs I don’t trust as much as I trust yours. Other blogs are hit or miss. Yours are always good. When I’m looking for a specific recipe your blog is the first one I check. I love to cook. I’ve taking cooking classes in NYC and feel like I’m knowledgeable in the kitchen. You’re recipes have helped feed the missionaries countless times, my boys and neighbors. Loves and kisses to you and yours. Thank you for being great and please keep sharing.
PS. I just pulled out your chocolate quick bread out of the oven with the pan you recommended. Oh and your ricotta shells fed the missionaries last night π Love.
Lizza
in pasco
You healed so nicely! What a scary ordeal. So sorry you had to go through that. I will keep you in my prayers.
Thanks for sharing. Bet you’ve helped many to remember what is so easy to forget.
By the way, Lands End has AMAZING long sleeved swim shirts. Cute and comfortable and they deliver to your door. I have one for swimming. My mother-in-law wears them at the beach, while walking, gardening, at baseball games, etc. Highly recommend.
Thank you for being so brave and awesome to share this! I’m so sorry you had to experience that, and I hope it doesn’t come back. I am amazed at how beautifully it healed, and I’m so glad for you. That sounds really hard. Thanks for having the best cooking blog on the internet and for sharing this very real-life truth with the rest of us. I’m sure you’re already doing this, but take lots of Vitamin D…5000 IU daily instead of the 400 IU in a multivitamin. It actually has amazing anti-cancer abilities. That’s about as scientific as I can get. π
So glad you shared this, Mel! People need to be educated and protect themselves. And, if it’s okay with you, I’d also like to remind your readers to NOT skip your mammograms. I am a breast cancer survivor, and like you, am trying to get the word out to anyone who will listen. My cancer was detected during a routine mammogram, so please don’t skip them! You look awesome, BTW!
Thanks for being so brave and sharing your story, Mel! I’m so happy that you’re cancer-free and healing well. I know your battle will inspire so many to be more careful; what a gift! Take care of yourself.
Thank you for sharing your story, Mel, and the pictures. I will show them to my family. Being disciplined about sunscreen is really hard. It’s such a pain–greasy, smelly, expensive. (I confess I do wonder about possible harm from repeated exposure to the chemicals in them, and try to use physical rather than chemical blocks when possible–which makes the sunscreen even more unpleasant, ugh–but I figure, the known harm of exposure outweighs the less known/unknown risks.) I also tend to feel embarrassed about big hats…but you are so right–it’s worth it. I will also second your comment on the amazing healing powers of the body–what a transformation!
There’s so much to say but I’ll keep it simple- I’ve never met you but I feel like I know you, and I love ya!!
just scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist! I’ve had a sore on my nose for like 6 months. Oops. Thanks for sharing your story. Definitely don’t want to mess around with skin cancer, huh.
P.S. I don’t tan but if you want the sun kissed look on your legs or face a can of Toma’s Air Brush self tanner does wonders π got from Sally’s. Easy to use and looks really natural.
You look beautiful and healthy. Thanks for sharing your story.
My dear Mel, your story was wonderful. I am so glad you asked about that spot. You and I have the same coloring. Every person in my family has had sports removed but me. My friends laugh at me that I have a full body check every single year. I don’t leave the house with out SPF 50 and my fair skinned children practically bathe in the stuff all summer. I think you healed up wonderfully. π thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your story! My dad has dealt with basal cell repeatedly for the last 15 years. He goes in every 6 months to be monitored to avoid MOHS. My husband has also had an excision on his back and it was precancerous. He has a family history of melanoma. Skin cancer is always on my mind!
I’m glad you got the care you needed! Everything looks like it has healed amazingly well. I wish you the best on your journey!
Thank you for caring enough to share this with all of us!!! As a nurse, I see so many incidences of cancer; some of which can be reduced with preventive measures. Increased awareness is so important. I can only imagine how hard this must have been, but you came out winning. Feel better and thanks again.
I am so thankful that you shared your story! I also think that you look amazing, I can’t believe how well it healed. I hope that you continue to heal.
Mel, I am so sorry you had to go through this, but so thankful you are OK and look beautiful! I have had annual skin checks since my early 20s (I am 50 now). Thankfully no skin cancer, but I go every year. My derm sells a huge stock of very good sunscreen. My family only uses mineral based, not chemical. I love the Elta MD formulas, and they also sell Skinceuticals sunscreens as well, which are fabulous. I really also love the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic acid (vitamin C serum) which I layer on first, which protects against the sun. It is very pricey but lasts a long time and I have been wearing it since my mid-30’s. It is a great skin brightener and anti-ager as well. I am not sure if Elta is a derm only available product, but I know you can purchase Skinceuticals through their website directly. I think it’s so important to get very good quality sunscreen with high percentages of titanium and zinc and put a lot on very frequently. So glad you are healthy and beautiful! Thanks for sharing your story.
omg! I’m so sorry you had to go through that! I’m glad it was caught when it was but wow that’s a lot to go through!
I too am not a sun seeker. I use sunscreen like crazy. I cringe when I see people with a tan or worse a burn. And don’t get me started on tanning beds. Skin cancer is nothing to mess with.
I have been reading (and using, with so much joy) your posts for seven years now, and this is the first time I leave a comment. Maybe this time I can pay some of my “debt” to you – to let you know how wonderful (and beautiful, even with the scar!) I think you are, and to tell you I keep you in thoughts and prayers. Wishing you good health, just be careful with sunscreens (I read that some of them can be harmful)… Thank you for posting this story and every recipe!
Mel, you are so beautiful and are doing a tremendous amount of good through your blog. Don’t ever doubt that! Thank you for having the courage to share your story and to remind us to stay safe in the sun. Prayers for a continued, full recovery!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I will definitely be more diligent with using sunscreen, hats and long sleeves. Thank you again!
Wow, Mel. First, I’m so glad you had it checked out when you did and that you are ok today. Reading your journey made me cry; I can’t imagine what you went through. After following you all these years I can tell you’re quite private so thank you for being such a blessing to us all by sharing your experience. You are goegeous by the way!!
Thank you so much for sharing this story, Mel! My husband has had many brushes with various forms of skin cancer, and his back looks like he was a in a very active knife fight. Even though our children inherited my Cuban tan skin instead of his Irish skin that only tans when freckles grow closer together, they all wear long sleeve rashguards and hats whenever they are at the beach or a pool that is not shaded. They hate it, but hopefully it will save them from pain and worry down the road. Your face looks amazing, I’d love the details on which EO you have been using.
My mum had a similar procedure not long ago. The health warnings so often go over our heads until something happens to us or a loved one.
On another interesting note, sometimes we get slightly different warnings here in Scotland: not enough sun. Because we are so far north the days here are quite short during the winter and it is often cloudy and rainy no matter what the season so we run the risk of not getting enough vitamin D which is produced when your skin is in the sunshine. Such a shortage can have other health consequences (example: https://www.ted.com/talks/richard_weller_could_the_sun_be_good_for_your_heart). Now, they only recommend 10-15 min of sun without sunscreen a day.
Bravo to you for putting this up. I’m glad to see you are healing well. Thank you for wanting to help others with your painful experience.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey through this! Two years ago, I went to see a dermatologist because of a little spot below my eye, just above my cheekbone, that I’d noticed was never completely healing. He did a punch-biopsy of it, as well as on a little blue spot he found on my back. I was reasonably certain that the spot on my face was basal cell carcinoma, but I was completely terrified that the spot on my back would turn out to be melanoma. VERY thankfully the spot on my back turned out to be non-cancerous (a blue nevus mole). The biopsy showed that the spot below my eye was basal cell carcinoma, and I was scheduled for the MOHS procedure to remove it. It took two deep layers being dug out of my face before the doctor reached clear margins. I was HORRIFIED at the crater that had been dug out of the middle of my face, and I was equally horrified when I saw how my face looked after he had stitched that large area. I thought my face would be disfigured for the rest of my life. Thankfully it healed very well and is barely noticeable now.
The doctor said it’s likely that I’ll have more basal cell carcinomas show up in coming years. My mom has already had numerous of them removed from her face, including one on her nose very similar to yours, where pulling skin down to cover the “crater” was necessary. Unfortunately I grew up in a time when we didn’t use sunscreen, and we’d even apply baby oil, and sometimes iodine, to try to ATTRACT the sun to our skin so that we’d hopefully tan faster. :/ I also did two summers in tanning beds. BUT, I hadn’t laid out in the sun or gone without sunscreen since my late-20’s – and this basal cell carcinoma didn’t surface on my face until I was in my 50’s! Proof that damage begins in the cells beneath the skin LONG before it manifests topically. I’ve become a huge advocate for applying sunscreen and for NOT tanning. I also tell people to not assume that just because you get to the end of the summer and your skin looks good, no damage has been done. Bad gamble. Apply the sunscreen, dress wisely when you’re going to be out in the sun, and learn to be comfortable and happy with your natural skin tone!
So glad you’re healing so well! Thanks again for being willing to transparently share such an important message.
Thanks for sharing! My 16 year old daughter doesn’t think she needs sunscreen, so I forwarded this to her. Glad you are healing well!
Mel, I had the same procedure in 2010. Devastated when I left the doctor, but like you within months all was well. Six years later I really have to look to see the scar. Time heals all, but it is so important to use sun screen. I had never used ‘good’ sunscreen before. Now it’s the good stuff and with clothing that is UV protective. I’m sure that as I age more damage will surface from prior years damage but I’m doing my best for no future damage. To others headed in for this procedure, ALWAYS have someone drive you. I had a friend with me that I will always be indebted to for her friendship and support that day. Needless to say she drove home. You were so brave going it alone. Mel, it will get better. Be proud of yourself through all of this. Don’t hide. People are so understanding and it is a learning process for many. Maybe I was lucky I had to report to work 3 days later. It forced me to get out in the public. God Bless you and continue the amazing videos, recipes, and blogs.
Which sunscreen do you use? I’ve had a hard time finding a good one I like.
Thank you for sharing your story and photos! Such a great reminder to everyone about the importance of sun protection and using sunblock! I’m so glad to hear you’re doing okay now!
You are awesome for posting this. I’m right there with you, two elliptical excisions for melanoma and basal cell carcinoma where my earlobe meets my face. Spread the good word of sunscreen,no tanning beds, and regular skin checks!
Just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience. I also went thru your same adventure with my nose. It was quite an experience. Hopefully your story will help others to notice these small pimple like things on their noses that can be not so good. We have a tendency to say it is nothing. I hDmine for a lot longer than you did so you can imagine my repair work. Again thanks for sharing this and hope more will pay attention to the SMALL things.
Thank you for your candor, it was very brave of you to share your story. I can completely empathize with your background. I grew up in So Cal in the 70’s (need I say more about baking in the sun without sunscreen) and now am hyper-vigilant about using sunscreen and wearing a hat. Your story is a great reminder and I am glad you are healing so well.
I couldn’t help but cry reading your story. For some reason I feel so silly that here I was looking up recipes in your blog while you were struggling with this. But I’m so happy it has all turned out well and you do look amazing! Our bodies really are amazing healers. Thank you for sharing and I hope you continue to do well. And yes, I will cover up more this summer and will make sure to enforce the sunscreen on my kids even when they fight me on it!
I’m so grateful that you were able to get it all removed, that is a huge blessing. I have had several atypical moles biopsied and removed, and with a history of basal cell in my family, I am a sunscreen freak. I have an Aveeno moisturizer with SPF 30 that I love, in case you’re looking for a good everyday product. Thank you for sharing your story, you and your scar are so beautiful π
Yes! You have touched me with your story. I’m a little lax when it comes to sunscreen for myself (all the while I’m slathering my kids from head to toe!) So yes! I will absolutely take better care. Thanks so much for sharing!
Yikes (your story, not your face)! Thanks for the reminder. Happy that you caught it in time and that you healed up so well too!
Thanks for sharing Mel.
FYI: Sunscreen has a ONE season shelf life. We’ve had some bad sunburns even though we slathered ourselves in an old bottle of sunscreen.
Thanks for sharing this. I’m so glad your are ok. The healing process is remarkable and you look great! I’ve been pretty good about sunscreen but I will be so much more diligent in the future. I’ve had a couple spots removed from my back already.
Oh my word, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your courage, vulnerability, and transparency with this post!!! I literally may owe you my life one day, as I have NEVER worn sunscreen in my entire 37 years of existence. I’ve heard every.last.warning, but my love for the look of a sun kissed goddess has trumped my common sense. And, although I lather up my children, I don’t apply it to myself. After this post, that will most definitely change! THANK YOU, and prayers for a continued clean bill of health for you!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I am definitely not as good about sunscreen as I should be–always load up at the beach or pool, but not on regular days when we are just playing in the yard. Your face has healed beautifully!
The healing is amazing! If I didn’t see the whole series of pictures I wouldn’t be able to tell.
I had a biopsy of a spot on my back too–it turned out to be just a cyst, but your reminder is so important. I’m in Texas and no matter how much sunscreen we slather on we still get color. Thanks for the reminder to get even the littlest things checked by the dermatologist!
You’re healing beautifully!! My three year old son had stitches on his face when he was one, and your scar already looks better than his – I guess that’s the difference between a dermatologist and an ER doctor π
Thanks for sharing your story. I’ve always been leery of sunscreen – the chemicals! – even though in 95% of situations I’m pro-western medicine. I admit I have not been lathering up my kids…I live in Canada where the sun is a little less harsh, but still! I’ll be more cautious this year, I promise.
Mel! We are basel cell sisters.
This EXACT same thing happened to me, except my little spot was right above my nose, between my eyebrows.
Same diagnosis, same surgery, and almost two months later, I’ve been wondering if that unsightly flesh worm of a scar on my forehead will EVER disappear.
I appreciate your testimonial of healing, above all else right now. Your pictures are beautiful. You are now at the top of my list of online “friends” I want to meet in real life. If I could post my picture with this post, I would. I gave my friends the same shout out on FB and instagram, and am hopeful that the experiences of others will help a wider audience of sun lovers to pay attention and be proactive. THANK YOU for this post. And thank you for more hope. And just a warm thank you. π
Thanks for sharing not only your delicious recipes, but now some very important information. It is so giving of you, typical from what I gather from the friendly conversational tone of all your postings. Stay well, and you look fabulous now!
It took courage to show what happened to your face…and I thank you for that. Your story will inspire so many to get checked out and stay out of the sun.{for tanning purposes} and to wear sun screen. Wish I had learned this lesson when younger.Thank you again and God Bless.
Mel! You look so pretty!!! I used to think the same about the sun. Now I lather up the sunscreen on me and kids. You are strong to get through this with your positive attitude! Your boys comment made me smile:) And ps- hope this isn’t weird, but I had a dream I met you the other night π funny. You have healed so well! Thank you for sharing! β€οΈ
Mel, I hope you know you look beautiful to us. Thanks for sharing and for being so brave and transparent. You are a rock star in every way!
Thank you so much for sharing! You have always been my favorite go to food blogger and I’ve followed you for years! You look amazing, it’s so remarkable how bodies can heal! I just had melanoma on the side of my face, by my ear, and went through MOHS in February this year (I was 30). I was heartbroken and so self conscious about the whole thing, but it’s healing nicely! I love hearing other’s stories, and am now a huge advocate of sun protection as well! I’ll be out this summer in my big hats as well! Hugs!
Mel – you sure make the world a better place! Thanks for sharing your experience and spreading the word about skin cancer. From experience, I know it’s a challenge when it’s right there in the middle of your face. Thankfully, you are healing beautifully.
I found a UPF 50+ sun hat which I really like: Sunday Afternoons Vineyard Hat. Although the pictures don’t show it, the brim can be either curled up a bit or rolled down.
https://www.sundayafternoons.com/p/vineyard-hat/
You might want to consider taking a Vitamin D3 supplement. I realized after awhile that since I was being so diligent about avoiding sun exposure, I was missing out on Vitamin D which normally happens when our skin is exposed to sun.
Thanks for all that you do, Mel! I always look forward to your blog and all the wonderful recipes that you share. I print out the good ones and add them to my recipe notebook & it’s getting to be very thick! Like others have said, you are mentioned here in our home often, as in “this is a recipe from Mel”.
Stay strong – the tough experiences that we go through help to make us stronger, wiser and more compassionate.
Wow! Bless you! I am so sorry you had to go through this, but thank you so very much for sharing! You truly do bless many lives, and that was so thoughtful and brave of you to share this to further bless lives. It will definitely make me think twice about sunscreen and protection for my kids. Bless you! I wish I would have known earlier and would have been praying for you! Will start to pray that it continues to get better!!
As an aside, I am YW pres in my small ward. Wednesday nights are our activity nights. This week I had 4 YW plus 2 friends come and we went over your cookbook you did for teens and then made your french bread pizza, the no bake cookies, your easy skillet chicken and your amazing romaine salad (which I did remember all the ingredients π The girls had a great time and loved it all! I have 2 laurels who are seniors heading to BYU in the fall and they were especially appreciative! The girls said the chicken and salad were their favorites. You are blessing people’s lives! My YW were very grateful and learned a lot. Thank you!!! and again bless you!!!!
I had a possible (lab could not decide) basal cell removed from my eyelash line last November. I can imagine that shots to the nose are very similar to shots in the eyelid (holy moly!!!). Happy to see you have healed so well.