HAD THE SURGERY.

First and foremost: They got the cancer out! What an ordeal....

I had the MOHS surgery yesterday, and they had to repeat the procedure a lot, and they found then a new spot under the skin...the margins were finally clear (healthy tissue), after about 4 hours of MOHS surgery (I'm awake for it, so it's difficult emotionally when the surgeon comes back from reading the slide and says we didn't get it all, we have to go in again....and then again, and then again!).

Then the plastic reconstruction began. Turns out, I not only lost a lot of skin, but I lost a lot of fat in the cheek and a lot of muscle. So, the reconstruction took a bit and was not this tiny line I was hoping for. They had to do a skin flap, shift muscles and skin around in my face in order to make me have a cheek again (or the right side of my face would be suken and my lower eyelid would hang down).

I was hysterical crying for joy when the dermatologic surgeon said "we got it all",
and then I started hysterical crying when the plastic surgeon drew the lines on my face to show me the scars that I would have and what he'd have to do. I have an incision under my right eye that goes from about the inner corner of the right eye all the way to the side of my face, to my temple....the incision is literally across the entire right side of my face under the eye. THEN from that inner corner under my eye where that long incision began, I have a second incision that goes diagonally right down the middle of my cheek, and this is also very long...it doesn't go down to the bottom of my face, but probably more about to the level of my lip. So I have this huge "V" on my face.

They literally had to put my face back together. I am going through a sense of loss, like I am a freak. I know that's not the case, and the surgeon and dermatologist both told me that I will be beautiful and after the healing, my face will be symmetrical (hopefully) and yes I will have those scars, but they will not be the thick scars that some people develop on the body, that these will eventually fade to thin white lines that can be covered up easily with make-up.

They want me back tomorrow to see how I am healing, and then next week they remove some of the many many many sutures. Then six weeks from now I will get some laser treatment on the scars to speed up the healing.

I almost feel like I'm being ungrateful to God for feeling sad about how I look, because I begged and prayed for my life, and now I have it, and I am just feeling a sense of loss (and of course I'm still post-pardum since my baby is only 7 weeks old). My right eye is swollen, and my face is bandaged and swollen.

The other hurdle is next week...the MD is going to go over my entire body to see if I have any signs of melanoma, squamous or other basal cell cancers. SO, I'm a bit scared about that as well.

I will keep you ladies posted. Thanks for all the love and support

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Great News. Glad to hear you are doing well. Get some rest.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

I'm so glad they got all the cancer out. My MOHS surgeon said that the face heals the best. In a few years, you probably won't even know it's there.

I'm so happy for you!!!

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Wow, I am so happy to hear that you have gotten good news. Rest up, heal, but most importantly breathe easy!!!

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Glad to hear the surgery was a success.
Did the drs suggest that you speak to someone about the way you are feeling.

Please keep us posted and get some rest.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

so glad they got it all

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

I am so happy for you! I am sure your face will heal and you'll be as beautiful as ever. You inspired me to go see a dermatologist this week. Thank you for that.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

I'm glad the surgery was a success, You are a beautiful person and when they go over your entire body again just go in with a postive attitude and say to yourself There is no more signs of cancer on me or malanoma,squamous or other basal cell ... I am fine!!! Rest up and relax.

Message edited 7/2/2008 6:20:24 PM.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

SO HAPPY they got it ALL!

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Great news!!!!! I can't imagine what you are going through or what you are thinking, but I hope that this is just a distant memory real soon!

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Fantastic news....your prayers were answered

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

I am so happy to hear that they got it all.

to how you are feeling
You have so much on your plate right now.

Please get some rest and let us know if you need ANYTHING

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

So glad it went well.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

glad it went well...rest up and I hope you feel better soon

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

and for a speedy recovery

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

I am so glad to hear they were able to get it all.
I understand how upset you are about the scarring, but in the big picture you will now be there to watch both your children grow up!!!

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

for a speedy recovery!

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Great news!! So glad it went well and they got everything!

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

i was so worried about you i am so happy that you received such positive news.

im sorry about your physical appearance going through all that and i am sure the recovery wont be easy, but you will do great and in time i am sure you will be able to cover the scar very well

Re: HAD THE SURGERY.

Glad to hear things went well!