Possible nose cancer again.

I reckon I'm doing pretty well thanks for asking....I guess because my ear received more trauma (cartilage removed from the rear and skin removed from in front) it is still extremely more sensitive / tender than my nose where the actual graft is and is swollen to the point that my ear canal is closed and stopped up.

I'm certainly not trying to second guess my doc but the stitches are supposed to come out this morning at 11:00 (7 days) but I'm almost positive that when I had the first two grafts done on my nose a couple of years ago after having cancer removed, by a different doc, that the stitches were kept in at least 10-14 days

On top of the nose graft he also stitched a about a 1/2" square gauze pad, for added insurance to help hold everything in place I suppose, so I can't actually see the graft but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the cartilage and skin graft bonded properly to my nose.....even though it's your own bodys tissue sometimes your body will reject a graft and I guess that they'd then have to try again, hopefully when he removes the gauze the skin underneath will be as pink as a babys butt which means that it has gotten good blood flow and bonded.

Between the front and rear of my ear and my nose there are a whole bunch of stitches that need to be removed this morning......mama told me that she'd buy me lunch afterwards if I'm a good little boy and don't holler and cry too much. :)
 
Oh Ike, I'm hoping the graft has bonded well and the pain you have will ease as soon as possible! I'm awaiting your next update.

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Mention to the doctor about the stitches, I think if they need to be left in a few more days he'll be willing to do it. Hope you feel better soon.
 
The graft bonded and is pink !!

The doctor was out so I had the stitches removed by a nurse's aid and was then seen by my doctors in house RN.

All of the non dissolvable stitches were removed and I'm left with a few dissolvable stitches behind my ear as well as several that run completely through the graft and my nostril.....they told me that the swelling should go away around my ear within a few days but the numbness on the outside ear (side burn area) will probably last two or three months before it starts to tingle and begins to regain feeling.

They told me to keep up with my home care and to keep the graft clean, lubricated and covered for three more weeks especially when I go outside in the sun and a followup visit has been scheduled in six weeks with my doctor.....naturally I was also told that if there was any change in the color of the graft or if I had any other problems or concerns to call them immediately.

I'm very happy with the way the area looks and to be honest it looks better than the opposite side that was done a couple of years ago by a different doctor.

Again I want to thank everyone for all of the well wishes and positive thoughts.
 
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