I'm nervous about my upcoming surgery !

[fbhwes]

I have a MOHS surgery scheduled for the the 3rd of Feb and as it approches i'm getting more and more nervous about it. I have a substantial sized Basal Cell Carcenoma on my face from next to my left eye along my nose down to my cheek . Its just about the size of a thumb plus some. After the consultation with the surgeon last month i just felt uneasy. Everytime i talk to one of these doctors i keep hoping they'll put me at ease but i don't ever get that feeling i just leave feeling like they're going to do what they have to do to get the cancer out no matter what condition it leaves my face in. The way they describe things like the removal process or reconstruction of my face after the surgery is some of the most spine tingling crap i've ever had to listen to. I don't know why i've posted this i guess i needed to vent it i have very few people i can talk to about this. And the few i do don't seem to understand. They keep reminding me that i'm dealing with a Non-life threatening type of skin cancer that's the most common kind and at least i'm going to live and that's all true. But this cancer isn't hidden under a shirt or a pair of pants where no one will know, it's right there on my face for the whole world to see. And so will the results of what is done to remove it. There isn't a day that has gone by for sometime now that someone doesn't ask me what happened to your face not realizing that it could be something i'm sensitive about. I just am not looking forward to having to be asked this for the rest of my life if my face is distorted by surgery.

If you've read this whole rant

Thanks for Reading like i said just venting some pent up fear that i hope will subside as i get closer to my surgery.

 

[Diodorus]

It seems to me you need to do this for you...Which I feel is very important. I would suggest you find a good plastic surgeon to work with your regular surgeon. And make sure you are completely comfortable with your physicians..

Best of fortune
Dio

 

[onetwothreefour]

I'm sorry for your stress. I can't imagine.

If I were you I guess I would want to do research into what types of doctors are best for reconstruction and what you might be able to do afterward to help heal. I have heard of silicone sheeting to help prevent scarring somewhat.

Wish I had more advice. I know whom I would ask though if I were you, which is Paula Begoun. She's a skin care guru, and she is always talking about the latest research. I don't know if she personally would know about your situation, but she has recommended people in the past like Patricia Wexler, Arthur Perry, and Brandith Irwin (who I think are sort of well known cosmetic surgeons). I remember one of them had a site where they recommended surgeons across the country, but I can't find the site now.

You could call into her radio show to ask your question. She has a skincare radio show every Thursday at 9 eastern, and you can also ask her questions on her FB page and she answers some of them: http://www.facebook.com/PaulasChoice.Inc If I were you, I'd ask something like whether she knew of resources or how to find a good cosmetic surgeon for your problem.

I really wish in this situation I had more information because I am really interested in skincare, but I don't know anything at all about post-surgery reconstruction.

Here's a link to the radio show:

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/paulas-choice-community-page.aspx


Good luck!

 

[hyperion]

I'm a first year med student and had my first ORL class yesterday. They always show us the most extreme cases during the first class. I must admit that facial reconstructive surgery that can be done amazed me (well, the pics of surgureys we saw anyway). We saw an 80-year-old woman with an invasive cancerous legion on her nose. Part of her upper jaw had to be removed as well as her nose, but they were able to reconstruct her jaw with her fibula, and rebuild her nose as well. Yes, there was some scaring, but very little (and this was only three months after). Good surgeons can really work wonders. However, you really need to discuss your fears with your surgeon. Some surgeons only see the disease, or the procedure and fail to see the patient. If you are not at ease, it will impede the healing process. You are having this procedure done to you, not him (or her). Tell them you are nervous. And why.

 

[Lefty]

Dio gave you the perfect advice.

Also, tell the Dr. of your consternation....the doctor of record should be
counseling you and answering you questions.

People do not realize how hurtful they can be. Until such time as you
are comfortable with yourself and your results, I suggest you hold your
head up PROUD and tell them...

"I am going through major treatment for Basel Cell Carcinoma. The cancer
is rather hideous in appearance but my surgical team is very positive at this point."

You use your own words and don't worry about being a bit brutal. Either they
will catch on or ththey already suffer from something far far worse.. and that
would terminal STUPIDITY.

Best wishes ... we are here if you need an ear or ???

 

[KaraBulut]

With a Mohs procedure, the extent of the skin that will be removed won't be known until the pathology reports are done. Given the size of the lesion and its location, you should ask your doctor about consulting with a reconstructive plastic surgeon now.

 

[carrotpubes]

I have been going through this type of skin cancer for quite some time . twice on nose and twice on forehead. just last week I had one the size of a dime removed. Yeah ...its not fun and it has its scars. but if you want to email me I can fill you in on this ... since I have been going through this for the past 5 yrs I got myself use to alot of scars beleive me more than my fingers and toes together..
But being a redhead .... I have to be very careful out in the sun... best to you and I feel for ya!!!
Hugs

 

[Lefty]

A bit of a lag for your first post carrot....

but a damn nice one and worth the wait.

We extend a warm............



and hope 'wes' takes you up on your kind offer.

 

[fbhwes]

I had this surgery yesterday and it went well. It took about 5 hours but they got it all and it had not invaded into my eye or further down into my nose or cheek. Although i do have a substantial sized area on my face that now has to be reconstructed. And i meet with a Surgeon on monday to discuss how it will be done. Thanks for all the advice .

 

[Lefty]

And not a single pock mark on the inner you.....YEA, YEA, YEA

Dude, them people in gift wrap can make the box pretty, You got

what is pretty already....

Give and give and give , some gifts grow with the giving and the giver.




enough......happy for you

 

[fbhwes]

Just a quick update on how this aspect of my life is going. I have a thread on another part of this forum i post at for a distraction to everything else i am experiencing right now and have been for the last few weeks. I had the surgery to remove a couple weeks ago ,Which in and of itself was daunting. 2 days ago i had the first of my reconstructing surgeries and to tell you the truth it is the hardest thing i've ever had to endure. Not so much the pain.( it's painful no doubt) the blood and icky not so much either . It's all the damned uncertainty of it all that has just thrown me to the ground. I'm sure i'll seek out some counseling to deal and i do have support from family and friends. It's just so very over whelming.

 

[Seasoned]

I hope you don't mind me calling you honey, but honey I know that physical issues can lead right to that therapist couch. You are wise to realize that. Depending on where this all takes you emotionally self monitor for depression. It will all be good. We are mind, body and spirit and I'm happy you are actively wanting to take care of the entire package. Wishing you well on this journey.