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.
Thank you for being so brave and sharing a very personal experience with us. I applaud your courage.
As I started this post, I was really hoping it was just an April fools joke and not really real. Wow! You have been through a lot! And you are still an amazing inspiration to me. I am so very happy you have healed so well and that you have been blessed so immensely. You bless my life more than you know. I am a very dedicated reader, cooker, and sharer of your recipes and I would truly be lost without your inspiration, both in cooking and otherwise. Thank you for sharing and for being you. Always.
That healing is incredible! You are so brave. Thank you for posting!
Oh my gosh thank you for this post! I’m 25 with 3 kids and have definitely changed my outlook on sunscreen, you’re post just mademy thoughts more concrete and solid for the summer. I’m so glad you’ve healed so well!
I’m so glad you were a ble to get it treated. Your face looks great, and I’m glad you will be around to keep inspiring us in the kitchen!
You are so brave to share this! You are adorable, even with stitches.
Thank you Mel for your bravery, and humility to be willing to share something so personal as this. God bless your tender heart!
I had melanoma almost 6 years ago. I am so HAPPY that you shared this! I am doing well. On a side note my cousin had the same thing as you in about the same spot. She is a year out and her scare is barley noticeable. It was super similar to yours. You’ve got this….even better living with a visible scare is a great story-and a way to spread skin cancer awareness. I am really again so so glad that shared your story
I love you. I also love your chocolate fudge sour cream bundt cake.
So I feel like a lot of other people are saying the same things I thought about while I read your post. I’ve never commented on anything on your site but I’ve been coming to your blog and using your recipes for about 5 years now thanks to my sister in law who recommended your site to me. Your recipes have made my husband feel like I’m a good cook and boosted my self esteem in the kitchen and has helped me branch out of my comfort zone and today I’m a better cook for my family because of it, so thank you for that. I know you’re not fishing for compliments but as scary as all of that was your scar is healing so well and am glad that everything has turned out well for you! Thank you for all that you do and share in your blog because I’m sure there’s so many people that come to your site that don’t comment but are appreciative like me.
I rarely, if ever, comment here but I felt like I had to chime in. Your scar looks great! Your dr. did such a fantastic job.
I had a flaky little spot on the end of my nose that wouldn’t heal, and after having it frozen off and reappearing, my dr. did a biopsy. Yep, it was a squamous cell carcinoma. It was about the size of a pencil eraser. I had MOHS done and she took out a crater a little smaller than a dime, but she only had to go in once. The skin graft came from behind my ear. I had to keep it covered for 8 weeks and a bandaid wasn’t large enough, so I had to use white gauze and medical tape. It looked like I had just had a nose job. I feel lucky. I haven’t decided if I’m going to have dermabrasion to smooth it out, but the surgeon has offered to do that as part of the follow-up. The tip of my nose is a little flat, and isn’t the same texture now and it kind of bothers me, but probably isn’t as noticeable as I think it is. This is the 7th or 8th squamous cell carcinoma I’ve had removed, but only the first time I’ve had MOHS. I do go in every 6 mos. and get a pretty thorough check-up.
On a little different note, I was prescribed zyclara (an imiquimod cream) which is applied topically to areas that have been exposed to the sun. I did the regular treatment–1 “pump” of zyclara that I applied to my chest every night for two weeks, then off for two weeks, then again for two weeks. It is supposed to make potential skin cancers come to the surface, then scab up and fall off. I had what the dr. called a “robust” effect. My whole chest was covered in scabs. They were painful and sore and my chest still is scarred. I finished up mid-December. After seeing my chest, the dr. decided that I’m NOT to apply to my face as planned, but do a 1 week on, 1 week off, 1 week on application to my hands and wrists. We’ll see what happens. I didn’t mean to be so wordy or write a novel here, but it’s interesting to see how many others have experienced something similar. Thanks for letting me share.
I really enjoy your blog!
You are awesome! I can’t believe you have still posted recipes! My family really loves your recipes and we have several favorites. I am off to buy some sunscreen now. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. It will educate and help many families.
Mel, thanks for sharing your story. You have healed beautifully!! I have always been good about sunscreen,but this has been a good reminder for me to be more diligent with sunscreen on my kids.
From another pale-skinned gal,
Kate
you look beautiful Mel! glad you’re on the mend. any thoughts about a cookbook in the future? I’d buy one for everyone in my family! love to you & your family.
I’m so sorry this happened to you! But I’m glad it’s healing well – it already looks great! You don’t know me, but I check your blog so often my husband thinks I’m obsessed. But does he complain? No. Because he knows pretty much every meal and dessert I’ve made for him for the past almost two years has come from your blog – and he loves them (obviously, so do I)! Thank you so much for what you do. I hope you continue to have a great, complication-free recovery!
Wow, Mel! Thank you so much for sharing this story. What a scary experience to go through. I’m so glad that your healing has progressed well so far and I think it’s absolutely wonderful that you are taking this opportunity to encourage others to practice smart sun safety.
Please, PLEASE, if you haven’t already, check out the Environmental Working Group’s guide to sun safety and sunscreens. I’ve been a borderline obsessive sunscreen wearer for most of my life, but in recent years have learned that not all suncreens are created equal and many actually may do more harm than good. In fact, my preferred sunscreen for many years has consistently been rated by the EWG as one of the most harmful, which is quite scary to think about. There’s a wealth of information on their site. I hope you’ll find it helpful.
http://www.ewg.org/sunsafety/
http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/
How scary! I’m so glad you posted this, because I could totally see myself ignoring a spot like the one you ended up getting checked, and I’m sure there are many others in the same boat. I really appreciate your willingness to share and be vulnerable. Your face is healing so nicely, though! I was surprised to see how far the healing had come in such a short period of time.
By the way, I don’t comment often, so while I’m here I should tell you that I just love your blog. My sisters and I were talking about it, actually, a couple of weeks ago, and we all agreed that your blog is awesome not only because of the amazing recipes and pretty photos but because it’s fun to read, too. Your voice and humor really come through in your writing. Thanks for being such an all-around delightful person! π
I remember a while back you mentioned a skin ordeal on your face – that you were going through – & am so glad you followed up with this thorough, pictures included, powerful msg. If there’s one person I trust completely about all the important things, it’s you. Thank you for bringing home such important info. I’m going to be paying close attention to all things sun starting now. Plus, I’m forwarding this to my sun goddess daughter, too, as someone else mentioned. You spurred on great suggestions by your readership, also, & for that I’ll be forever grateful. I took notes when I read through the comments, after being in tears seeing what you went through. Now I am in absolutely awe seeing that you currently look more beautiful than ever.
Hi Beautiful Mel, I know exactly how you felt because a few years the same thing happened to me. Just a tiny little scab that would heal and then come back. The Dr, didn’t think it was anything but they too did the MOHS checking it out and after 5 hours on the table they found basel cell and squamas cell carcinoma both in my nose. I looked like you with the bandage, It was terribly painful but he used stitches that don’t show anymore. I am sorry you had to go through that but you are looking wonderful. Best of luck in the future.
Oh, I’m so sorry you had to go through that! My 13-year-old son just had a partial rhinoplasty to fix a broken septum (thank you, recess football game!) – on his birthday, no less – and it’s just no fun to endure surgery of any kind on your face! He will have to do another surgery in a few years to fully fix the damage.
So glad you are healing up and want to share your experience…very scary!
Thank you so much for sharing this; especially the pictures. Everybody is scared of cancer surgery, because to save your life you have to let a doctor cut on you until the bad stuff is out, however much that might be. We think of it as a horror that can’t be overcome, so we don’t go to the doctor. Your post helps us see that it is so hard and scary and bad, but in the end, we can heal and be ok. I am amazed at your doctor, pulling skin from all around your face to close in the gaps, and voila, you have your face again. xoxoxo
I am so glad you told your story! I too have dysplastic nevi and have to go to dermo twice yearly. I am so glad you asked your questions and were your own medical advocate! GO YOU! The healing looks great, and all I wish is that we were neighbors so I could’ve fed you those two weeks! Glad you’re ok!!! I had no idea you had a cancer situation years ago as well. Was that skin cancer too?
Thank you for sharing with us. You look fabulous and in such a short time too! (I’m sure it seemed like forever to you) Divine intervention for sure. I will be extra sun cautious because of it.
I love your blog and recipes. I check it out daily because I can always, always count on everything you make to be fabulous. After many years of being yeast bread incompetent I have finally mastered fluffy wheat dinner rolls because of you. Thanks Mel, we love you!!!
Mel, I’m so glad that you have healed so well. Two years ago I was diagnosed with basal cell on my chest, in that nice little triangle on our chest that is exposed to all the sun. I now have a nice 3 inch scar that I refer to as my catapiller. While it was scary I know it could of been so much worse, thank you for sharing your story…
I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this! I, too, went to the Dr. last fall for something else but he zeroed in on a spot on my upper arm – half the size of a pencil eraser top. It turned out to be melanoma. Huge, huge scar later (makes your scar look quite dainty and pretty!), I’m intentionally educating, while inevitably scaring and disgusting my family, on the danger of skin cancers, covering up and getting check ups. Your son was able to kindly articulate his ambivalence. The first time I wore a short sleeve top my little 3 yr old granddaughter worriedly pointed to my owie. I explained that it was all better now and didn’t hurt any more. She gagged and asked me, with her hand covering her mouth, to cover it up. Ha ha – and I thought it was beginning to look better! It’s all ok, though. We’ll wear our scars proudly as proof that we’re survivors. Well, maybe not proudly, but we’re alive to tell the tale.
P.S. Love your blog and many if your recipes are staples in our house!
Oh Mel, I’m so sorry you had to go through that! What a tough trial, especially for a woman. I mean, we’re already naturally self conscious and things like that can just make it so much harder to feel normal and fit in. Glad you caught it and that the worst is behind you now. You are beautiful! I’m always grateful you share your amazing cooking talents with so many π
Holy cow, Mel! That could not have been an easy post to write, and it certainly wasn’t easy to live. I’m glad you’re recovering and I appreciate your willingness to do something so uncomfortable in an effort to help others.
I’m one of your blog followers (love it) and as a teenager from the 60’s have so far, survived tanning with baby oil and iodine…but not unscathed! Basal & Squamous Cell Carcinomas are now part of my ongoing medical saga. Congratulations & THANK YOU for sharing your recovery photos. Heeding the warnings without visual proof is difficult. You are beautiful!!
Darling Mel. I am so so sorry that this happened, but thank you so much for sharing this with us!! I am only 18 but I look at your blog daily and have made countless of your recipes, all of which I love and have worked perfectly π In fact, I just had some friends over today and we made 2 of your recipes and I was raving to them that you are the best food blog in the world and that you have every and any recipe that you could ever want. So I just want you to know that I admire you and think very highly of you and that you are so incredibly talented!!! So thank you. And I’m so glad you’re okay and that you’re healing up nicely. This has also changed my perspective on the importance of sunscreen and how important it is to protect your skin. So thank you thank you!! And you will be in my prayers.
SO glad you had it looked at! I’m older than you are and I know that our parents back then had no information about how important sunscreen was. Every summer I burned and blistered. I’ve only had a few very short phases in my life where I even cared about a “tan”, and though I have loved how it looked, I know in the future the wrinkles are not worth it, not to mention skin cancer! But your doctor did a beautiful job and I’m so glad you are healing! Thank you for sharing your story!
What a brave thing to do – share your story and accompanying photos! I so appreciate your courage! While we are sun-screen wearers, it takes a while each early spring (like now) to remember to start using habitually again. I’m marching outside right now to grab my son and make sure he puts on sunscreen. You have healed beautifully. Thank you for the poignant reminder.
Mel, thank you so much for sharing your story! Do you know how many lives you have helped today? I try to be good about applying sunscreen but know I can and must do better. Your post will help me to accomplish that. I applaud your bravery – not only for what you have gone through but for sharing your experience with all of us.
I love your blog and was so glad to find a blog where the recipes are fabulous and my hubs has loved everything I’ve made. I don’t always comment, but I always read so I apologize for not commenting on what a great blog, what fab recipes you have , etc. I’m a breast cancer survivor and agree that the scars are hard to live with. However, it takes a lot of bravery for you to share these wounds and I applaud your desire to further educate us. Everyone also seems to think it isn’t anything, it won’t happen to me, etc. Trust me, it can and it will and as women, I believe we don’t always have things checked that need to be checked, even if they turn out to be nothing. So glad you got this checked and that you had it removed. I look forward to many more recipes when you are feeling up to posting them. Our God is such a good God!
Mel, that takes some courage to show all those pictures, but for such a good cause. With your huge readership I’m sure you’ll save someone from going through what you did. I’ve had the basal cell carcinoma also, actually 2, one on my chest (where exposed with wearing a V-neck shirt) and also 1 on my arm. They can show up just as a little reddish spot, not even as bright as yours was. I was so lucky, nothing to the extent of yours. Thanks for taking the time to write this. I’m in my 70’s and in my teen years and 20’s and even 30’s I was clueless too when it came to sunscreen. So many young people today lather on the sunscreen, so many more are protected.
Oh sweetheart, thank you for highlighting the fact that taking care in the sun really does matter. I live in Australia and was blessed to have parents that were sun savvy even in the 60’s and 70’s. My sister and I have good skin and so far have had no issues with sun cancers. As you said it’s all of the time you spend in the sun that builds up, you don’t even need to be a sun worshipper for a melanoma to occur. You had a very good specialist and I think it has healed beautifully. Thank you again for bringing this topic into the light. No pun intended!
Sending lots of love
Fi
I thank God you thought to have your dermatologist look at that spot! I use the highest number sunscreen but cannot reapply it until I go somewhere cool and my skin cools down. If I reapply while outside, I get a rash reaction that is painful. I grew up never using it (I am 63) and am thankful I haven’the had a problem yet. God bless you and keep being diligent about sunscreen
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I’m so sorry for what you have had to go through, but so thankful you found it in time! Thank you for the incredible reminder to protect my and my kids, and to go to the dermatologist! You are my favorite food blogger, and I am so thankful for you and your amazing recipes! Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us and blessing our lives!
Thanks for bravely sharing your story. I agree that it’s important to share these personal issues to bring awareness to these things. The pictures def do the trick! I actually learned about this form of skin cancer from Hugh Jackman, the actor, who I follow on IG. He’s also had several bouts of this on his nose and has posted many pics and asked folks to please wear sunscreen. It’s sad that you’ve gone thru this, but you look great and remain healthy – which is most important.
I should really comment more based upon how I religiously follow your blog and have made (and LOVED) half of the recipes here. We truly would have cereal and Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets every night if it weren’t for you. Your recovery is incredible! If you had posted the last picture very first I would have never noticed anything. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I was a very carefree and sun loving teen and 20’s person. I always tanned easily and figured more was better. My small daughters have my same coloring and I am way too forgetful about their sunscreen. No more! Perfect timing as temperatures heat up down here in Texas. Thank you, Mel! You look great!
Thank you for sharing this experience with us. I am really bad about putting on sunscreen and have got sunburned a fair share of times. I’ve decided to recommit myself to wearing sunscreen after reading your post as well as getting my moles checked out just to be on the safe side. I love your blog! I am amazed that you were still actively posting during that whole experience, I check your blog often and I didn’t notice any lapse in posts. You’re amazing!
My sister forwarded me your post with a note saying she thought she was reading a story about me. I went through the exact same thing year and a half ago. Small spot on the side of my nose that wouldn’t heal. Removal surgery that left me with a giant hole in my nose and a massive amount of stitches from the top of my nose to the bottom. As I read your blog it honestly felt like the twilight zone. So much of what you recalled is exactly how I felt. I wondered if I would ever look normal again, if I would ever go a day without noticing the scar. Welcome to the hat world!! I to spend a lot of time wearing hats. Thank you for sharing your story and the pictures
You seriously look so fantastic! The healing was so dramatic! I’m so glad you had the courage to share your story. I have to watch myself carefully for skin cancer, and this is was good to read.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. So sorry you’ve had to go through this!! I’m amazed at how well it has healed in the pics! You look great!! And as far as the sun protection…..I’m all over it!! I had 2 pre melanoma (not the technical terms) removed from my abdomen last summer. But even before that, I wear a long sleeve rash guard (love mine from Lands End) AND a giant sun hat. No shame!! I’m not trying to impress anyone just trying to save my skin! Wish I would have been more careful in my 20s but hind sight is 20/20, eh?!?! Love u Mel!!
Thank you for sharing. I’m fair skinned… I always joke that I never tan- I just get a darker shade of pale… ba dum tss…. I am actually pretty darn strict with the sunscreen… I was actually looking at hats to wear when I work in the yard or hike. Even in Rainy Washington- I slather it on. π
Glad you are on the mend. <3
Oh, my heavens! How scary! And I’m so impressed with how well your wounds have healed! How impressive that doctors can sew so well. Thanks for the reminder about skin care as the sun gets ready to come out.
Mel, thank you so much for sharing this. I am so happy that things are healing well. What a journey to have to go on and I wish no one would have to go through something like this but I’m so glad things are looking well and you really do look great. π I would kiss those doctors toes, too! Thank goodness for modern medicine. And thank you so much for the reminder about the sun – for me and my family.
Thanks for being brave and sharing your story, Mel! It is amazing and I want to learn from you. I know that I am especially prone to this, and I have tried to make changes but sometimes I am lazy. Please update us along the way with products and tips you use and like.
Thank you for sharing your very personal experience with us. God bless you.
Mel, I don’t know if my comment went through because I have internet problems all day, so sorry if a repeat. Just wanted to say I am so sorry you had to go through this but am glad you are healthy. I have gone for annual skin checks since my early 20’s and luckily nothing has been found, but I go every year. My family uses the Elta MD and Skinceuticals sunscreen lines that my derm sells (although you can buy Skinceuticals direct from them). We use the mineral based (titanium/zinc) versions and love them. They are much better quality/protection than what you can buy at the drugstore. I also love the Skinceuticals vitamin C serums (C+E Ferulic) which is an antioxidant that protects against the sun, brightens the skin, and is a great preventive anti-ager. So happy you are well and you look gorgeous!
The healing looks as tho it’s going very well, I’m so happy for you. I too (and several of my friends, we’re in our 60’s) have had a MOHS procedure; not fun (the needles ARE nasty!) but so much better than the alternative, as they say, and it is. (Don’t beat yourself up too much; I’ve worn moisturizer w/sunscreen for 30 years—altho there was baby-oil slathering in my reckless youth in an also silly effort to tan my very pale Scots/Irish complexion. Hope springs!) You look very beautiful to me, maybe not “normal” to your own eyes any more but all of our faces change over time and yours is becoming one of courage. Let’s all invest money in sunscreen stock, and look forward to the day when pale becomes cool. (And totally no political statement here, no, nada, none.) What’s most important is that you’re here, and I know that there are at least 6 other immediate people that agree with me. Go hug them, while I send a virtual hug to you.
Hi. I never comment on blogs but this post made me want to say stuff. A friend told me about your blog a few years ago and I’m so glad she did. You have the best recipes. Not only are they so good but all of them are good. After making many of them I know that when you post a new recipe it will be good, worth making. It’s so nice to finally find a cooking blog that I can trust. Other blogs are hit or miss. Yours never is. If there’s a specific recipe I’m looking for I always check yours cuz I know I trust it to be great, exactly what I’m looking for. I’ve taken cooking classes in NYC and am knowledgeable in the kitchen. I love to cook and share my talent with others. You’re recipes have fed the missionaries, my boys and my neighbors countless times. So keep sharing, I love them. Love and kisses to you and yours.
PS I just took your chocolate quick bread out of the oven with the pan you recommend. Love. Oh and your ricotta shells feed the missionaries last night :). Oh and I’m going to sunscreen the crap out of me and my boys π
your biggest fan from Pasco.
can I like a post on a blog? Dido! I agree 100% with what Lizza said and just wanted to say I don’t know you, but really do love you for who you are and the great things you do in helping us less fortunate/creative cooks in the kitchen for making cooking something I can do and actually enjoy because of your blog. Thanks! Keep your chin up too because this too shall pass π