This Race Is Not Over

Most marathons end at 26 plus miles. This marathon might be over but the race is still on. I learned the hard way you can not ignore BCCNS. This is a beast that requires your attention and diligence. It is a race to just stay up with it let alone get ahead of it.


Its been miles and miles since I thought my face was clear of any big tumors. Just a year later there are two more showing themselves on my left jaw. On December 29, 2014 my Mohs surgeon took care of those.

Two sites marked for surgery

They appear small and relatively insignificant. The lower tumor required two stage to get clear. The top tumor ran into another one below the surface and required four stages to get cancer free.

Both sites clear

My surgeon did some awesome stitch work. I got a mini face lift and  should have only a hairline scar. For a few hours after surgery my face stays blotchy and swollen. Once the anesthesia wears off the coloration and texture return to normal.

blotchy and swollen after surgery

day after surgery

I returned to the surgeon's office a week later to get the stitches removed. The area is healing nicely.

I saw my cardiologist January 12th. I do have a cardiac abnormality along the left wall of my heart. I do have scarring from a heart attack in 2000. Thankfully I do not show any signs of fibroma and he is not concerned that I might develop any in the future. He does require my smiling face to meet with him every 6 months "Just because". 

My back has proven a to be a learning experience. I got my first infection since starting this marathon on my back. Evidently the bandages and clothing promote enough heat to lead to all kinds of bacteria. I clean my sites daily yet I managed to get an infection. Thankfully, a round of antibiotics took care of it.  Due in part to my infection, my team has decided to take a more relaxed treatment schedule. 

January 23rd I will have more sites on my back addressed. January 26th I start a four week round of chemo cream on an area of my chest. Doctors are hoping this cream will work better than the first one I tried.  February 20th we will follow up on the status of my back and check for any change with the use of the cream. February 26th my surgeon will do another laser procedure on my face. We will decide what to do about my right nostril at that time. The scar tissue is still tight and requires some attention.

Aside from my cancer treatments I am seeing a chiropractor regularly to keep the rest of my body in line. I have started going to the YMCA regularly and am able to walk 2 miles each session. I have become more conscientious of what I am feeding my body.  It is my goal to lose at least 50 pounds this year and get in better physical health. 

The unspoken goal is to keep killing this cancer faster than it kills part of me.

Take Away Nugget: Don't get hung by your tongue. Speak only good things into your life and those around you.