Hi. New to this and never taken part in a forum before. A friend suggested i have look.
Already found out a lot of useful info about recovering from yesterdays surgery. I've had a BCC removed from the tip of my nose with a skin graft taken from my collarbone area. I'm also 4 weeks post operative from a knee replacement. Hadn't expected quite such a large dressing on my nose. And don't really know what to expect when I go back next Monday to have the stitches out. Dermatologist has been brilliant up till now, but don't feel I've been given enough info about the future. Have been feeling very down today. Trying to focus on the fact that the cancer has been removed. I did such a good job of playing it down to all my family "to protect them" that no-one has really taken much notice now I've had it done. Tomorrow will be a better day. Thanks for listening.
I've logged on today and found two new members with nose BCCs and skin grafts. Welcome to you and to . Maybe you can compare notes?
I don't know what will happen at your next appointment for getting the stitches out, but I would like to suggest that over the few days whilst you're waiting, get a notebook and scribble down any questions you have for when you go to your appointment. That way you'll not have to rely on memory and will be well armed if you get the 'appointment brain block' when you can't remember a thing you meant to say.
Lots of us play down the worries associated with our cancers and it sounds like you've done it a bit too well. Try not to be afraid to admit when you need help or support. Tomorrow will most likely be better - that's true.
Good luck
Best wishes
Barbara
“Scars are tattoos with better stories.” – Anonymous
Woke up this morning after a better nights sleep . The birds are singing and the sun is shining, After many years of being a sun worshipper, to my cost now! I now know that I need to worship it in a different way. I can't be without the sunshine as it helps with my SAD. So with that in mind I donned a huge floppy hat and sunscreen and took myself out for a walk. Mother nature is a magnificent mood lifter.
Thanks for the tip. Writing down questions is a good idea.
Sorry you've ended up having to join this group but it's been very helpful for me so welcome!
Good to hear you sounding more positive and upbeat. I had an SCC removed from above my top lip in Nov 2016 and had to have more removed in Feb 2017 but all good now, scar healing very well and not really noticeable very much now! I wear Factor 50 most days but as I live in Dumfries, I don't have many sunny days lol! However, I have found that taking a Vitamin D daily supplement helps! Best wishes xx
Hi and welcome. I think you are bound to feel a little sorry for yourself after an operation on your face. I hope it heals nicely. I'm also glad that you are able to enjoy the sunshine and that it stopped you getting depressed. I was thinking about getting a hat today. I haven't had my operation yet. I've still got that to come but unlike you, I've been milking it with the family. Poor me!. :)
The sun really does lift our spirits - such a shame it isn't as good for our skin as for our minds but well done on the floppy had and the sunscreen. Some of the outdoor clothing firms like Craghoppers, Regatta, Mountain Warehouse and others make clothing with built in sun protection. I assume it's just about the fibres they use but it might be a good investment to pick up a shirt or two and some trousers for all round protection.
good point about the Vit D tablets. I'm on them because I have thyroid cancer and a lot of people who've had that also have Vit D deficiency (no 'cause and effect' as far as anybody knows but quite a lot of correlation). I'm not as sun-savvy as most of you and I travel to warm sunny places quite a lot but I still had a bad Vit D deficiency so it's really worth getting a blood test from your doctor.
I hope you've taught all the family to iron, cook, take out the bins and run a hoover over the house as you really don't want to miss the chance to make the most of the situation. :-) Seriously though, your post and Quilter's just remind us all that there's a massively wide spectrum of responses to how people react to cancer and no 'right way' to do it. Mind you, that also makes it incredibly difficult for all the friends and family to know how their 'right way' to react should be.
Apologies for putting the replies to three people into one mail but keep on chatting. It will really help you to get through all of this
Best wishes
Barbara
“Scars are tattoos with better stories.” – Anonymous
Another sunshiney folks. Lets get covered up and get outside.
You should go and get a hat. I took my husband with me and warned him I was going to get the biggest brightest thing i could find. I've never been a fan of hats so if i've got to wear one it's going to be statement! He was all for it until he saw what i had in mind. Bless him! So we compromised : it's very big and floppy and not quite so loud in colour. I may take it too my craft room and jazz it up a bit. That'll surprise him.
Off to the hospital this afternoon to have my dressing checked as its gone loose and is slipping.
Was so glad I'd read a lot of info on here last week and was more prepared for my first look in the mirror. My dressing was slipping and so i went to have it checked on Friday. They ummed and aaahed about just adding more tape or replacing it as they are apparently best left in situ as long as possible. The decision was made to replace. I wasn't sure if i was ready to see it or not. Got brave and looked. It was as I was expecting thanks to this site. Nurse said it was looking good. Had taken dressing off of graft donor site after 48 hours as instructed and she said that was looking really good too. Back again today for consultant check. Maybe stitches out. Not looking forward to that as nose, is understandably. still quite tender. Hoping for another smaller dressing on my nose this time. My husband is very squeamish. Hope he's going to be okay.
Have a good day and if not then chat with someone on here. It really helps.
Stitches were out yesterday, 6 days after surgery. Was't pleasant but not as bad as I was expecting. I think I was just worried that the pulling of the stitches would dislodge the skin graft. But it has started to take already and so all was good. The donor site is healing really well and is more comfortable now the stitches are out. Had a good look at my nose this time. It's scabbed as the consultant told me it would be and she was very happy with how it's doing. Then got my husband in to have a look, thought it would be better if there were nurses around to clear him up if needed. LoL. He was okay, much to my relief. I now have another dressing on it loaded with Vaseline to help with the scab. Have to go back later in the week to have the dressing changed again. Then back to see the consultant next Monday.
I have just read your post, and like you I am new to forums too, in fact, never ever belonged to one before. I do feel for you, and especially as you have had a knee op too.  Ask as many questions as you can, but sometimes its hard to take it all in and lest remember it all too.  Try not to look on the internet there can be some awful misguided things on there, rely on the experts.  I am awaiting a removal of a BCC also on my nose on the side, so like you I hope all goes well. let me know how you get on after the stitches are removed. I completely understand what you mean about family, I have run around forever for mine and then when something happens to you its as if you are invisible because you have always been Super woman.  If you ever feel down, contact me I'll do my best to chirp you up.  Keep smiling Best for now Linen 2664
Hello linen and quilter. I'm waiting for radiotherapy on a BCC on my nose too - so we're all in the same boat! I agree with not looking on the internet - some of the things on there are very frightening and there's nothing to be gained by looking at them.
