Possible nose cancer again.
- Thread starter IKE
- Start date
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
Ike, it should be over now. Hope you're resting comfortably and not in pain. Hoping for the best result!
IKE
Well-known Member
- Location
- Oklahoma....U.S.A.
Things didn't turn out well at all.
Using the MOHS procedure (very thin slices) the doctor I went to had to remove cancerous tissue three times to get all the cancer......deadening injections, thin slice, send to lab wait for one hour for results....deadening injections thin slice, send to lab wait one hour for results etc.
When the last slice showed to be clean of cancer he explained that since the hole was now so big, deep and the wall of my nostril was so thin that he was going to refer me to a Plastic / Reconstruction Surgeon that does nothing but work on faces (after surgeries, accidents etc) for the repair.
I got in to see the new doctor a couple of hours later and he said because of the size and depth of the wound and location that the only repair he recommends is to remove cartilage from the inside of my nose (septum ?) and graft it to the wound and then make a incision to the left of center at the top of my nose (basically between my eyes) aprox. 1 1/2" straight down towards the tip of my nose, peel the skin back away from my nose and stretch the flap of skin tight over the graft and sew it in place.....he said that I'd probably only end up with a thin 1 1/2" line scar to the left of center from the top of my nose down to the wound / graft and a little scaring at the wound site.
The surgery is out patient but can't be done in his office so I'll have to be admitted to the hospital, wheeled into a operating room, given IV sedation, have the surgery done and then lie in the recovery room till my head clears enough to be able to go home.
Right now I've got a gaping hole in the side of my nose that is to be kept clean and redressed twice daily till my surgery at 6:45 a.m. on the 24th of this month.....thirteen days from now.
Of course the bright side to all of this is that I am going to be able to keep my nose.
I'm beginning to think that the old saying, "if it weren't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all" was made with me in mind.
Using the MOHS procedure (very thin slices) the doctor I went to had to remove cancerous tissue three times to get all the cancer......deadening injections, thin slice, send to lab wait for one hour for results....deadening injections thin slice, send to lab wait one hour for results etc.
When the last slice showed to be clean of cancer he explained that since the hole was now so big, deep and the wall of my nostril was so thin that he was going to refer me to a Plastic / Reconstruction Surgeon that does nothing but work on faces (after surgeries, accidents etc) for the repair.
I got in to see the new doctor a couple of hours later and he said because of the size and depth of the wound and location that the only repair he recommends is to remove cartilage from the inside of my nose (septum ?) and graft it to the wound and then make a incision to the left of center at the top of my nose (basically between my eyes) aprox. 1 1/2" straight down towards the tip of my nose, peel the skin back away from my nose and stretch the flap of skin tight over the graft and sew it in place.....he said that I'd probably only end up with a thin 1 1/2" line scar to the left of center from the top of my nose down to the wound / graft and a little scaring at the wound site.
The surgery is out patient but can't be done in his office so I'll have to be admitted to the hospital, wheeled into a operating room, given IV sedation, have the surgery done and then lie in the recovery room till my head clears enough to be able to go home.
Right now I've got a gaping hole in the side of my nose that is to be kept clean and redressed twice daily till my surgery at 6:45 a.m. on the 24th of this month.....thirteen days from now.
Of course the bright side to all of this is that I am going to be able to keep my nose.
I'm beginning to think that the old saying, "if it weren't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all" was made with me in mind.
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
oh Ike, what an ordeal and to have yet another one ahead! I feel for you. But so relieved you made it through this and the cancer was removed!
I know it's hard for you to feel triumphant right now, but you will. You will.
My prayers are for you to go through the repair without fear and with success!
I know it's hard for you to feel triumphant right now, but you will. You will.
My prayers are for you to go through the repair without fear and with success!
IKE
Well-known Member
- Location
- Oklahoma....U.S.A.
The doc that is going to work on me the 24th told me that after the surgery he didn't want me doing diddly squat but sit in a recliner for ten days.....total rest to ensure that the graft takes hold I reckon.
Anyway, I recalled a few minutes ago that I'm scheduled for jury duty on the 29th so I just called the County Clerks office and explained what was going on.
Given the fact that I've heard a lot of people try to get out of jury duty I told her that I could provide my doctors name and number or the hospital name and number to verify what I was telling her and she said she didn't need it......I'm rescheduled for April 1, 2019.
If I'd have showed up on the 29th I'm pretty sure they'd have released me anyway......they probably wouldn't have wanted me sitting in the jury box with my face all bandaged up like a damn mummy anyway.
Anyway, I recalled a few minutes ago that I'm scheduled for jury duty on the 29th so I just called the County Clerks office and explained what was going on.
Given the fact that I've heard a lot of people try to get out of jury duty I told her that I could provide my doctors name and number or the hospital name and number to verify what I was telling her and she said she didn't need it......I'm rescheduled for April 1, 2019.
If I'd have showed up on the 29th I'm pretty sure they'd have released me anyway......they probably wouldn't have wanted me sitting in the jury box with my face all bandaged up like a damn mummy anyway.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Oh Ike... this is not good , but at least they got it all, thank God. You're going to have a rubbish next few weeks, but once that's done, it's done..
I wish you all the luck in the world with this, and just remember , we're your friends here, and when you think you have no-one to whine to at home, then come on here... we'll just turn off the switch...LOL...I'm joking... you know we'll all be here for you...
I wish you all the luck in the world with this, and just remember , we're your friends here, and when you think you have no-one to whine to at home, then come on here... we'll just turn off the switch...LOL...I'm joking... you know we'll all be here for you...
My fface surgery was scheduled for the Monday before Thanksgiving!! I had then switch my neck surgery (behind my ear) to that day, so I was not sitting there at the table all bandaged up!!The doc that is going to work on me the 24th told me that after the surgery he didn't want me doing diddly squat but sit in a recliner for ten days.....total rest to ensure that the graft takes hold I reckon.
Anyway, I recalled a few minutes ago that I'm scheduled for jury duty on the 29th so I just called the County Clerks office and explained what was going on.
Given the fact that I've heard a lot of people try to get out of jury duty I told her that I could provide my doctors name and number or the hospital name and number to verify what I was telling her and she said she didn't need it......I'm rescheduled for April 1, 2019.
If I'd have showed up on the 29th I'm pretty sure they'd have released me anyway......they probably wouldn't have wanted me sitting in the jury box with my face all bandaged up like a damn mummy anyway.
.
peppermint
Senior Member
- Location
- East Coast Yes
My prayers for IKE....(My husband had Cancer Surgery last November)....
terry123
Well-known Member
- Location
- Houston, Tx.
Prayers here too for Ike.
IKE
Well-known Member
- Location
- Oklahoma....U.S.A.
I really appreciate all the well wishes and support from everyone.
Not sure if it's good or bad but my surgery got bumped up today from the 29th to this coming Thursday the 18th at 9:30 a.m......my doc probably forgot that he had a golf date on the 29th.
Not sure if it's good or bad but my surgery got bumped up today from the 29th to this coming Thursday the 18th at 9:30 a.m......my doc probably forgot that he had a golf date on the 29th.
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
I really appreciate all the well wishes and support from everyone.
Not sure if it's good or bad but my surgery got bumped up today from the 29th to this coming Thursday the 18th at 9:30 a.m......my doc probably forgot that he had a golf date on the 29th.
I like to get things like this over as soon as possible. I think it's good!
Ruth n Jersey
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern New Jersey
Good luck Ike. I'm sure you will be happy when it's all over. Less days to think about it.
hearlady
Homebody
- Location
- N Carolina
Well wishes IKE!
C'est Moi
Dishin' it out.
- Location
- Houston Y'all
I really appreciate all the well wishes and support from everyone.
Not sure if it's good or bad but my surgery got bumped up today from the 29th to this coming Thursday the 18th at 9:30 a.m......my doc probably forgot that he had a golf date on the 29th.
Ike, I hope it went well today. Check in when you can.
IKE
Well-known Member
- Location
- Oklahoma....U.S.A.
With all the stitches I kinda resemble Frankenstein this morning but the doc told mama while I was waking up yesterday that he felt the surgery went well......of course with any skin graft you just have to wait and see if the moved cartilage and skin is going to bond and not be rejected.
I read back up this thread and I forgot to mention that I switched plastic surgeons the day after seeing the first plastic surgeon, neither mama or I was very happy with the way he came across (his bedside manner) nor were we very enthused about the way he was going to repair my nose by taking cartilage from inside my nose, sewing it inside the hole and then basically skinning my nose and pulling the flap of skin down over the wound......nose, cheek or forehead flaps are a legit way to repair facial cancers and I'm sure he was a well qualified plastic surgeon but we just weren't comfortable with the procedure or him.
We mulled it over that night and the very next day I called and was able to get in between appointments with my regular dermatologist and told him what was going on and he personally made a call to another plastic surgeon that he highly recommended and that fella was able to squeeze me in the next day and after looking at the wound told me that he'd be able to do a regular skin graft (no flaps) which he did yesterday.
Now I've got a bunch of stitches behind my left ear about 4" long where he removed enough cartilage to stitch in and fill the wound, I've got stitches on the outside of the same ear about 1 1/2" long where he removed skin tissue to cover the cartilage and of course I've got a lot of stitches on my nose where everything was sewn in place......I go back in next Thursday the 25th for my first followup visit.
I'm sure he knows what he doing but he didn't cover any of the stitched areas and told me to just keep them well moistened with antibiotic cream for the first two days and then with over the counter Aquaphor after that which is kinda like Vaseline with a couple of other things added but no antibiotics.....I do think that I'll put a dressing of some sort on my nose when I go out in public to keep from grossing people out.
Naturally the left side of my face is tender and throbs this morning and I got very little sleep last night. As opposed to taking the Loritab I was given for pain I'm trying to (and have so far) push through the discomfort and not take the pain pills because I don't like the groggy feeling and constipation that goes along with them.
I read back up this thread and I forgot to mention that I switched plastic surgeons the day after seeing the first plastic surgeon, neither mama or I was very happy with the way he came across (his bedside manner) nor were we very enthused about the way he was going to repair my nose by taking cartilage from inside my nose, sewing it inside the hole and then basically skinning my nose and pulling the flap of skin down over the wound......nose, cheek or forehead flaps are a legit way to repair facial cancers and I'm sure he was a well qualified plastic surgeon but we just weren't comfortable with the procedure or him.
We mulled it over that night and the very next day I called and was able to get in between appointments with my regular dermatologist and told him what was going on and he personally made a call to another plastic surgeon that he highly recommended and that fella was able to squeeze me in the next day and after looking at the wound told me that he'd be able to do a regular skin graft (no flaps) which he did yesterday.
Now I've got a bunch of stitches behind my left ear about 4" long where he removed enough cartilage to stitch in and fill the wound, I've got stitches on the outside of the same ear about 1 1/2" long where he removed skin tissue to cover the cartilage and of course I've got a lot of stitches on my nose where everything was sewn in place......I go back in next Thursday the 25th for my first followup visit.
I'm sure he knows what he doing but he didn't cover any of the stitched areas and told me to just keep them well moistened with antibiotic cream for the first two days and then with over the counter Aquaphor after that which is kinda like Vaseline with a couple of other things added but no antibiotics.....I do think that I'll put a dressing of some sort on my nose when I go out in public to keep from grossing people out.
Naturally the left side of my face is tender and throbs this morning and I got very little sleep last night. As opposed to taking the Loritab I was given for pain I'm trying to (and have so far) push through the discomfort and not take the pain pills because I don't like the groggy feeling and constipation that goes along with them.
Last edited:
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
oooh Ike, you've really gone through the mill with this one and you're still so stoical .. It's probably a good thing you changed surgeons or you would probably be in much more pain today than you already are.. I understand about not taking the pain pills unless you really need them , but don't be too much of a martyr will you?
I wish you everything you wish for yourself Ike... get better very soon...
I wish you everything you wish for yourself Ike... get better very soon...
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
Ike, I hope your pain ends soon and the procedure is successful! :love_heart:
Ronni
Well-known Member
- Location
- Nashville TN
Just finally read this thread. Yikes!!!! I hope you're doing OK this morning, Ike.
I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my lower left eyelid back in 2014 and ended up losing over 90% of my lower lid. That wasn't the original plan, but the cancer went much deeper than they originally thought and they sliced half way down my cheek to get it all. I lost a a tear duct as well, and they took skin from the side of my eye to help close the gap, so I had stitches running down the side of my face as well as down my cheek. That surgery is why I wear glasses now because with no lower lid I can't keep contacts in place.
I get it about the pain pills too. One of my sons is an addict, he's in recovery now and has been for the past 4 years, but for 15 years before that it was just awful. As a result, I am VERY careful about taking ANY addictive medication. I took one hydrocodone pill, and then switched to aspirin.
I hope you're taking it easy and that you aren't in too much pain. You're in my thoughts.
I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my lower left eyelid back in 2014 and ended up losing over 90% of my lower lid. That wasn't the original plan, but the cancer went much deeper than they originally thought and they sliced half way down my cheek to get it all. I lost a a tear duct as well, and they took skin from the side of my eye to help close the gap, so I had stitches running down the side of my face as well as down my cheek. That surgery is why I wear glasses now because with no lower lid I can't keep contacts in place.
I get it about the pain pills too. One of my sons is an addict, he's in recovery now and has been for the past 4 years, but for 15 years before that it was just awful. As a result, I am VERY careful about taking ANY addictive medication. I took one hydrocodone pill, and then switched to aspirin.
I hope you're taking it easy and that you aren't in too much pain. You're in my thoughts.
My sympathetic best wishes, Ike. A half year ago, I had a basic cell carcinoma removed from my nose. Like you, I was also amazed that the dermatologist took one look at the tiny pink spot on my nose and
said, "I want to biopsy that." I am really impressed by the way a good dermatologist can tell just from a glance which things are harmless and which are not.
Mine was very small, and she got it all with one swoop of Mohs surgery, but I'm also much more aware of how easily these things can pop out on our skin. And I'm being much more careful to stay out of the sun.
(In spite of my avatar.)
said, "I want to biopsy that." I am really impressed by the way a good dermatologist can tell just from a glance which things are harmless and which are not.
Mine was very small, and she got it all with one swoop of Mohs surgery, but I'm also much more aware of how easily these things can pop out on our skin. And I'm being much more careful to stay out of the sun.
(In spite of my avatar.)