BCC on nose skin graft op - how to recover?

Thanks Lattelover and Westward.

I'm trying to be positive but struggling a bit more today. I drove my husband nuts last night by sayt things like "thanks for still loving me" and "sorry for my messy face" to the point that he got rather cross today and said that if course he loved me and didn't like the thought that I was doubtful that he would. Of course, I could see what he meant as I hadn't been doubting it exactly, I just wanted to hear him say that my nose didn't matter..... All OK now, just caught me off guard. 

And then he thinks I'm doing too much having my friends over tomorrow, as if I'm trying to prove I'm still me despite the mess on my nose. Again, I wasn't trying to prove anything, just a bit bored with seeing the same old faces (though I could hardly say that!). We'll see. Hopefully it'll go OK and he won't be able to say"I told you so!". I know he's just trying to protect me but I hate the claustrophobic feeling of being confined while I recover. 

Bit of a moan and I'm feeling a bit better. Thanks for listening folks!!! 

hi rainbow, sounds like you are doing amazing, and your graft is doing well, so happy for you, I still go to the hospital every Friday, to have my black scab removed, but its healing well, just slowly, I see my surgeon on the 29 November to get results, but so happy you are doing so well

Hi Rainbow Frantida 

I felt like you did. Your feelings are all normal but I am sure your hubby loves you and remember you are so much more than a pretty face.

I remember the early days and I thought how on earth am I going to be ok? I am not even one month post op and you can hardly see where I had surgery. Hang in there Angel. Take pictures of your face every 2-3 days and you will see your progress. Please don't shut your self away. Make a point of seeing friends and go out each day even if it's just to get a pint or some chocolate biscuits. Please don't hide away Sweetie you are doing just fine. 

If people look it's their problem not yours. I am sending you big hugs 

Love Millise xxxx

Hello

Best wishes for a good recovery.

Thank you Westward! ;-) 

I'm wearing a dressing today, mainly because my husband thinks I should (to save my visitors reaction). It's a bit of a pain because now I can't easily wear my glasses.  Just as soon as they've gone, the dressing is coming off. Maybe if I didn't have my caring hubbie I'd be going about without a dressing on. In a funny way I feel more self conscious with the dressing on! 

Still, I've been out & about today, walking round the village & bumping into neighbours. I'm planning to walk up to our local National Trust house tomorrow - I need the exercise - and the chance to be by myself. 

Anyway, thank you again for your positivity. It's really helpful & uplifting. 

Cheers!

Hello folks. 

I've been chugging along nicely with my recovery and then today I noticed that there are a few yellowy bits around the edges of the graft and suddenly I seem to be more aware of my nose. 

Has anyone else had anything like this?

Do you think it's infected / failing? 

I'll ring the hospital tomorrow to ask but I'm worried now that I've messed up big time. I've been keeping the site as clean / hydrated as possible with the polyfax ointment. 

Please don't let me back to square one....... :-( 

Hi again

Oh Westward, you are a star!!! 

Thank you so much for your speedy reply. This morning the yellow bits have gone red again which actually looks healthier to me. 

I'll be patient. 

Cheers!

My skin graft on my nose went well but I was worried, the upper part looked good then the lower part developed more of a black scab.   I went back to the dr. and he looked concerned, then sort of checked it out and said it was healing underneath.    I massaged daily as I think this also helps increase circulation.     The black scab was unsightly so after a  long time I pressed a warm clean wet flannel against it and it slowly started to disintegrate on it's own.   I wouldn't rush this wet flannel thing until you know it is time.      All is well now, it all healed.    Keep patient most of all, it WILL be ok.   I would say it takes at least 3 months before you get your physical confidence back.      These surgeons are amazing people......and thank God and everybody else in this world who developed MOHS surgery and all the technology.     

Thank you Lattelover - another timely post. I love this site and everyone's honesty and friendship. It's so refreshing and encouraging too. 

More sound advice. I think I'm hypersensitive to the daily changes and while I want it to heal up I'm also a bit clueless about what's normal to expect and what could be a something to worry about. Apart form the advice about keeping it hydrated & polyfaxed up, the hospital didn't explain (or I don't remember anyway) that it would go through a range of hues as it heals. The yellow spots made me think immediately of infection and graft failure. Still it's looking better today so I'll just carry on as normal with everything. 

And you're right - the surgeons are amazing! I have already sent a thank you letter to the hospital CEO mentioning my dream team (theatre staff) by name & also completed the hospital's online survey, again mentioning everyone's names. 

And I am also mightily grateful that my brush with cancer has been for something so (hopefully) easily fixed and non intrusive. I have a very good friend who's husband is receiving palliative care only for his incurable cancer and I am daily grateful I'm not in their shoes.

Onwards and upwards folks!!