May... Brings Flowers of Hope...

I am not sure if other people in my BCCNS family have challenges with different fabrics, colognes and cosmetics  like I do. My skin has always been sensitive to things. I have been tested and I am not allergic just sensitive to things I put on my skin. With all the surgeries I have had the past 2 years my skin is A LOT drier than ever before and the two lines of cosmetics I could tolerate before now make me look like I have Rosacea. A friend of my mothers can only wear Clinique. I never associated that line with sensitive skin so I set up a make over. I went on a day that I had absolutely nothing else to do. JUST IN CASE. Well, I am more than pleased. It hides most of what I don't want to see in the mirror.

With Clinique

I know they are bad selfies but I could not resist.

Without Clinique

You know how when you look at something all the time it usually becomes almost invisible to you? My scars may have become that way to the people I deal with daily.  Myself, not as much. Every time I look in the mirror  ALL I see is the road map of scars all over my face and neck. The fact that the makeup feels like I am not even wearing any is amazing. I know there are other makeups that cover even more. I do not think I could wear those. I had been in the clown ministry at my church and that makeup created challenges for me. I also have acquaintances that do theatre and I cannot tolerate stage makeup either. So this is awesome for me.   

One of the blessings of this past year is the relationships that have developed in my life. I have new friends that have become like family. Friends from the "good old days"  with whom I have reconnected. Extended family that have becomes friends too. I have my BCCNS friends and my business friends as well.

My Mom (left) and my Mother (right)

My birth mother moved in with me a year ago.  She helps me with all my  medical appointments as well as my business.  My mom lives in Texas still and I have been blessed to see her every couple of months now instead of once or twice a year if I was lucky. There happened to be a business event in San Antonio on the 7th of May so I stayed over to visit with my mom for a few days. This year I had both of my moms on Mother's Day for the first time in my life. They actually enjoyed each others company. This is them sharing the dessert they brought home from our lunch date. The two most important women in my life at one table.



My cousin under went a double mastectomy the Monday after Mother's Day. She went home Tuesday in full makeup, with her hair done and wearing what I believe to be a beautiful pink lace  dress. She went back to work from home that Wednesday.  As of this posting she is cancer free requiring no other treatments. She has resumed running for exercise and is feeling liberated and strong. Most of the women in my family are very well endowed. She has no qualms with her new A - physique. Thank You Jesus.

It was also inspiring to see some of my business associates in San Antonio. Between Clinique and the weight loss there were a few who did not recognize me. Our next regional meeting is in September this could get interesting. Four more months to work on the weight.

I had the MRI of my brain and my mammogram on the 18th of May. I saw my primary on the 19th and the MRI showed no internal changes since the last scan. I have calcium deposits in the falx of my brain. Those have stayed about the same for the last 4 years.

May 20th I saw my Mohs surgeon to deal with the tumors on my forehead, nose and behind my left ear, This trip was very different as my husband had the tumor removed for the top of his right shoulder during the same day. His ended up being a lot larger than he or I thought; he left with over 20 stitches. I actually stood behind the surgeon and watched the entire procedure start to finish. Yes, two patients in one room. The surgeon thinks that was a first in his career. The only down side is my husband is not as good a patient as I am AND he is off work until the 22 of June. Pray for me.

As for my procedures, the spot behind my ear was done with one stage.

Surgical site post op




Tumor site pre op


 

 The surgeon opted to biopsy the spot on the right side of my nose also. The spot on the left side of my nose took two stages. The tumor on my forehead that everyone thought was benign took 4 stages to be cancer free.

Biopsy and surgery sites marked



nose and forehead post op

The surgeon was able to close my forehead most of the way there was a small area in the middle that was left open to heal.

My forehead after stitches

My husband and I were scheduled to return for suture removal on the 27th. That week was very interesting. My husband definitely has a new appreciation for my surgical procedures.  The 27th could not come fast enough for me.  Even after watching my husband through his entire procedure I did not notice that the stitches used internally were clear. The stitches externally were dark. Had I paid closer attention I would not have made another trip on the 29th to the surgeon's office thinking we missed a stitch or two of mine.  DUH!

May came and went. My mammogram came back with something of concern so they requested film from the last 3 that I had for comparison. No news as of June 1.

T.O.P.S. update as of June 1, 2015 I have lost 42.25 pounds. 



INTERMISSION between Miles

4/25/14 one week after Mile 18

This is where things stood my last post. I was a week post op and wanting to rethink this journey all together. There are two grafts associated with this last surgery. The first on my forehead and the second on the bridge of my nose. That is what is hidden under the packing. The band aid on the tip of my nose is only an attempt to have something to hold my glasses on. My granny always said, "God has a sense of humor and he knows exactly how to get your attention". Isn't that the understatement of the year.

On Tuesday the 29th I had follow up appointments with both surgeons. My Mohs surgeon says my scalp sites are still healing marvelously. My reconstruction surgeon removed the stitches from my nose and central forehead area. Stage one of two suture removals. He told me he shared my case with some of his peers. One of them asked him if his Mohs surgeon hated him. I had to laugh, he has closed over 30 tumor sites on me in three surgeries. I am a test of his skills. So here I am today. The stitches in my scalp and down to my first graft are the ones to be removed Tuesday the 6th of May.

5/01/14 two weeks after Mile 18

With this surgery people have new assumptions as to what happened to me. Prior to this one a lot of people assumed I am a burn victim. Now the assumption is a car accident. I am a bit sarcastic in nature especially on "bad" days. A contractor working on my home yesterday did not say anything yet could not stop looking at me. I told him this is what it looks like if you live to tell that you were texting and driving. He did not look again. My husband said I needed a "time out".

I am in healing intermission from surgeries. My next surgery date is June 4th. I have been at this over a year. Next week I have an appointmet with my primary doctor to have a general checkup. He has not seen me since last July. That should be nteresting in itself.

So Happy May Day to all and God Bless.

Mile 13 with Basal Cell

With my vision impaired from surgery I will keep this short and sweet.

In My Happy Place Thursday 12-12

Marked for Mohs Surgery

10  Tumors Removed

After Reconstruction Surgery Friday 12-13

Five of the tumors required only one stage. The other five were clear after the second stage. No basement condos.  A lot less cancer than we thought. 



Reconstruction used graft from behind my left ear. Upper and lower eyelids were saved.  The white at lower edge of eye is gauze surgeon sewed in to hold graft in place.  It will be removed next Thursday. As you can see the other sites were sutured. 

To date without my eyes I have had 12 surgeries including 22 sites and removing over 210 square cm of tumors off my head, face and neck. Put all the masses next to each other and that is the size of an average dinner plate.

Thank You Jesus I could not have done it without you.

Take Away Nugget: Paths without obstacles don't lead anywhere.

My Trip Deep in the Heart of Basal Cell, Part Two

Saturday morning proves that whomever is at the hotel can stay and whomever has not made it will not get there. Ft. Worth has been hit by a weather system the likes of which they have not seen since 1998. I was pleasantly surprised that the hotel had put up all the staff in rooms both Thursday and Friday evenings. In these situations the hotel feeds their employees as well.

Our speakers for the day are from Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. I was not sure how this was going to be informative to me. We had a pediatric dermatologist and a Child life specialist. I was pleasantly surprised at their presentation. With the small number of us that made it in they turned a lecture into a general discussion about services available to children with BCCNS. They included personal stories from children who had been to camps for children with skin disorders.  Another part of their presentation was regarding helping children get through the daily trials of BCCNS.

In both of these presentations I realized most if not all of this related to the adult patient as well as the child patient. First, by replacing the word child in the lecture notes it takes on a more personal meaning for me. 

1) Although I have the disorder, I am NOT DEFINED by this disorder. BCCNS members say I have BCCNS but BCCNS does not have me.

2)Doctors do not always know best. I have to be my own advocate. I have to be a teacher.

3)Patience and a positive attitude will get me far. Do what I can to support others and get the external support I need.

4)Be a good listener and a good friend. You are not just a caregiver or example to just yourself.

5)Don't underestimate the power of touch. We all need reassurance  and touch is the most profound way to express caring.

The other part of the morning lecture regarded the child's point of view during the various procedures and treatments for the syndrome. Children are little people.  They are sensitive to what's going on and when they have the syndrome become wise and sensitive to procedures very quickly.  So many times doctors will address all or most of the conversation to the adults, only addressing the child when they want them to lie down for examination, treatment, etc.  They don't consider whether the child feels out of control lying down and would rather sit up or stand.  It made complete sense to me to find the position for the child during the procedure where they felt in control, supported by family and safe. No one wants to be ignored and talked about or above their level of understanding. Who wants to be forced to sit or lay in a position that makes them uncomfortable and vulnerable? And do we want someone to ask our opinion when they ignore it? These are things to consider when treating a child. Wording and body language are everything.

hedge hog family

Our afternoon and evening sessions were altered by the weather. Activities were canceled. This gave us the opportunity to go over the latest information on Hedgehog Inhibitor Drugs.

The drugs available so far have been in double blind studies. This is where neither the doctor nor the patient know if they are receiving the drug or a placebo. 

The goal to date for these drugs is to prevent new surgically eligible basals (SEBs).

Side effects vary. The cons to the drug do not out weigh the benefits for most people. There were 3 people in our group who are actively taking one of these drugs. Another person there was on the drugs but had to stop as their basal had mutated and become resistant to the drug.  All 4 had experienced varying levels of discomfort with the drug. So out of the 4 there one could not take it due to their basal resistant to it. One has been taking it for the 7 month starter dose and in Jan. begins the  year at 3 months on and 3 months off.  And 2 others have been taking the drug in cycles for a few years with very pleasing results. The side effects are not pleasant. All have some level of muscle cramps. Gatorade seems to be the going thing to help those. Taste disturbances vary with each person. Weight loss varies with each person. Hair loss or thinning varies with each person. And symptoms of depression are noted yet these same symptoms are noted in persons having repeated surgeries and other treatments to remove the basals.

I found the before and after pictures very interesting and intend to speak to my team as soon as I return to check into studies in my area.



Saturday also brought news of flight cancellations so we joined forces to try to get home. Part of our crew made it to the airport Sunday morning  and only half of those people made it home that day. Two of our group spent Sunday evening at a hotel closer to the airport.

This is our group plotting escapes for Monday.

l-r Subrena, Pam, Blake, Elvira her husband Adolfo and Nichole

I stayed at the hotel until Monday with my mom and after 2 shuttles and 2 taxis canceled on me I got the car service from the hotel and made it to the airport. My flight was to be in St. Louis at 7:15 pm. Due to delays waiting on flight teams, luggage carriers and the like I got into my vehicle in St. Louis at about 10:35 PM. By the time I got to bed it was technically Tuesday. I would not change anything. 

The time spent with the BCCNS Life Support Network was priceless.

Take Away Nugget: What you see depends greatly on what you look for.

Mile #11 with Basal Cell

It is amazing the questions that surface with this cancer. I was having my eleventh surgery session this past Tuesday and was asked by a fellow patient "Why would you put yourself through this?"

Why indeed. Ignoring this condition is not an option. In 2005 I had only 3 spots on my back. Two of which I had removed. None of those were larger than a pencil eraser and they were limited to my right shoulder blade area.  The spot on the far right was the only one remaining in 2005. This is what I have to look forward to in 2014.

The sadder truth is I am guilty of ignoring my body. I was unaware of most of these spots as they are flat. I cannot feel them. They are all cancer and some are probably sharing basement condos.

In my last post I discussed my eyes. It looks like my Christmas present to me will be my eyes. The surgeons have decided they can do both eyes and my forehead in 4 procedures. So Thursday Dec. 12, I will have my left eye Mohs performed and Friday Dec. 13, I will have the reconstruction done. The following week I will repeat that schedule with my right eye and forehead. With that in mind and another surgery on Nov. 19th. I could meet my goal of having my head and face clear by the end of the year.

 For Mile #11 we shaved more of my head and got rid of three more lesions across the top. The tuft of hair in the top of the photo is the remains of my bangs.

Mile #11 Pre op



The spot on the top left required only one stage to clear. The spot on the bottom required two stages. The spot in between the two required three stages. All three are clear of cancer. 

Mile #11 post op

My scalp now resembles the moon's surface. My mom and my aunt blessed me with some scarves. So scarves it will be for a while. The bright side is there is evidence of new hair growth on all the previous miles on my head. That is cause for a happy dance. No, You Tube is not prepared for all this happy dancing. 

I cannot thank my friends and family enough for their support. I have had the pleasure of meeting some incredible health care professionals. I have been able to speak to parents with children newly diagnosed with BCCNS. 

God has put me in the path of a woman that has this same type of cancer and is paralyzed with fear. I will be with her for her first surgery in 10 days. She calls me her angel. I do not see myself as an angel. I am outgoing and can be loud. Yet until recently I would have said I was mild mannered even complacent. Now I see myself as a warrior. Ok so some of God's angels are indeed warriors. This is a war no one can afford to loose. If I loose this war it will not be from lack of knowledge or the use of the power gained by knowledge.  I also intend to fight for anyone put in my path that is affected by skin cancer.

Take Away Nugget: People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Cancer...A Family Story... Part 2

Previously you met my Uncle Don. Today I want to introduce you to my Uncle Ray, "Unc" as I call him. Yes, I am going to talk about skin cancer again.

Unc is a different breed. He's a Vietnam vet. He has lived his life with love, integrity and a take no prisoners attitude. He makes no excuses for who he is or how he lives his life. You always know where you stand with him. It is actually very refreshing. In today's America the average person is rushed, hushed and too busy trying to "get there" to stand for anything.

It has been over 40 years since he noticed the little bump on his arm. For years it stayed the same and everyone assumed it was a cyst or in grown hair. Then it started getting  bigger and got tender.

He made an appointment with his doctor. She thought it was a cyst. Unc and his doctor decided to drain it or remove it. Once the doctor cut into it, they both realized it was not just a cyst. Unc says it looked like tapioca. The decision was made to remove it flat to the surface and send the contents to the pathology lab. The local hospital was Wichita, Kansas. The lab there assumed it was melanoma. The sample was then sent to the at KU Medical school lab . That lab also assumed it was a melanoma. Neither facility could 100% verify what type, grade or stage the sample was. The sample then got a ride to the labs in Berkley. It was Berkley that diagnosed it as a rare melanoma. Unc followed up with a plastic surgeon to remove the remainder of the tumor. The tumor had grown down his arm about 7 inches and had not visibly metastasized. The doctors recommended one year  of chemotherapy as a precautionary measure. So Unc drove three times a week to Wichita for his shot. He lost a lot of weight but none of his spirit.

Yet another case of something that did not belong but had not caused concern. You know my mantra by now. ABC...Always Biopsy to be Certain.

Take away nugget: A bad attitude is like a flat tire. you can't go anywhere until you change it.

Post Op with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

It's a week out of Mile #8. More Basal Cell gone. Lots of new skin.This morning there is no sign of stitches under my eye or along my jaw. That makes me do the happy dance.


I am sorry the pictures are only ones their owner could love. Each picture represents a step closer to being cleaned up from this mess. I am truly thankful for everyone's support through this. Open dialogue has made everyday brighter. Since I first heard the words Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome times have changed immensely. The internet and social media make getting accurate information so much easier and quicker.

Mile #3 (bottom) and Mile #7 (top)

Mile #3 is surrounded with approximately 1/2 inch of new skin. Mile #3 can go naked now except while sleeping. All wound sites are covered to eliminate the new skin getting damaged from bedding. Mile #7 is finally getting to the gellin stage and I can shower without a bandage. There are at least two spots visible in this picture that still have to be removed. One is directly over the earpiece of my glasses and the other is just inside the shaved area down from the back edge of Mile #7.





Mile #2 (top out of frame), Mile #6 (above glasses) and Mile #8 (along the jaw)

Mile#2 is all new skin yet very pink.  Mile #6 is past gellin and just mildly tacky it can go naked now as well. Mile #8 is absolutely beautiful. This is why I love love love stitches. My body heals from them within seven days. It is still tight and slightly puckered. Mile #8 is naked all the time.

Mile #1, Mile #2 and Mile #5

Above my earpiece is a spot of Basal that has yet to be removed. Mile #2 is the skinny fading scar along my jaw. I still butter everything that is completely covered with new skin. Mile #1 is my nose and it is still tight and drawn up from the new skin. Mile #5 is my cheek and only two of the three wound sites are even visible. 

In my next update I will include a picture of Mile #4. My chin is completely healed  and getting buttered every day. If you did not know better you would mistake it for a dimple. My brothers have dimples in their chins. We may finally have some sort of resemblance. LOL for those who know us all.

Take away nugget:  Information becomes Revelation by Meditation. Your brain is your on-board computer. What are you programming into it for your life?



Mile #8 with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

Reminder: Pictures are Graphic

At home after surgery

Prior to each surgery my doctor checks the healing process of previous miles. Mile #8 starts with instruction to leave all miles except #7 naked. Leaving these sites open will allow the new skin to finish closing over the surgery sites. Now that is great news. I am beyond thankful. The past two weeks have been the most difficult I have had so far. I was taking pain medication every four hours for the first five days and every six for two more days after that. Prior to Mile #7 I had managed with pain medication every six to eight hours for no more than three days.

Remainder of Mile #2 (top) and Mile #6 (bottom)

 

 

Mile #2 is completely covered in new skin. It is slightly irritated at the top left side from being covered and getting overheated. Mile #6 is gellin. Meaning the new skin is started yet still tacky to the touch and glossy in appearance. In the photograph is a little hard to tell where one mile ends and another starts. The only edge not cancer free in this photograph is the area above my ear and going down my jawline. My jaw is part of Mile #8 below.

Remainder of Mile #3 (bottom) and Mile #7 (top)

Mile #3 is almost completely covered in new skin and is also irritated from being covered. That will be resolved now that Mile #3 can go naked. Don't let Mile #7 freak you out. It is the deepest wound so far. It is discolored but not infected or anything like that. It has gone through the first two stages of wound healing. Technically called hemostasis and inflammation stage and is headed to the proliferation stage. Now aren't you glad I just call it swellin and gellin. I say the coloration is caused from platelets in overdrive. If you insist on the medical jargon feel free to google "stages for wound healing". The final stage is maturation or remodeling stage. That is where new skin is grown over. The skin becomes tight and scars can develop. That is when you hear me say "I am buttering the wound site". Cocoa butter is my best friend right now. I choose not to use expensive scar creams. I am not a designer kind of girl.

My husband cut my hair in prep for another scalp surgery. The nurse cut more from my bangs so the hair won't lay on the surgery sites. I cannot remember ever having hair this short. So be it, short it is and short it may stay. The doctor said keeping it this short should allow him to operate on the rest of my scalp and not have to completely shave my head. the thought of not having to be Mrs. Clean is appealing. 

For Mile #8 we take on my left jaw line and a little guy below my left eye. After this procedure I should be finished with surgeries on the lower half of my face. The basal that remains there should be treatable with laser or a topical agent.

Mile 8 A Before

Mile 8A After

My doctor was not so sure about messing with the spot below my eye. He thought for sure it was just a Seborrheic Keratoses, something like an age spot. The spot under my eye was indeed Basal Cell.

Mile 8B Before

Mile 8B After

I believed the area along my left jaw would be a twin to Mile #2 my right jaw. That is just me comparing before pictures in my head.


My new mantra is if it annoys me it has to go.  This surgery required only 1 stage at both sites to be clear of basal cells.  A first for me!!

Another Hallelujah. Both sites get to leave with stitches. They may not look pretty.  But they are a breeze to care for. I am believing that history will repeat itself and in 7 days I will be stitch less. Another bonus for me with stitches is that two days post op I am off prescription pain medication.

Mile 8 A & B Stitched & Ready to Go!!

 Take away nugget:  Sometimes God calms the Storm. Sometimes God lets the Storm Rage and calms his child.

Cancer...A Family Story...Part 1

A few days post op and I am reflecting on conversations I have had over the previous 3 weeks. I would like to stay as transparent as possible through this journey.

Everyday I ask God to smile through me to someone. I am determined to see the positive in everything I do. 

When I started this marathon I was still working full time. I am in management with Wal Mart. The majority of my work day is spent on the sales floor. Several of my co workers and regular customers are shocked by the extent of my cancer. These are people who see me every day, more than my family in truth. They did not see anything that alarmed them.  My husband sees me everyday and the only thing that concerned him was the spot on my cheek that bled periodically. I have said it before and I may say it in every post forward. Know your body. Stand up for your body. Do not let anyone convince you that any changes in your skin are OK. Make them prove it. BIOPSY anything that even remotely seems out of place. Get your camera and someone you trust and start your skin journal today.

For more and more people, Cancer has become A Family Story. This is part of mine.

Meet my Uncle Don. An awesome tennis player, the family natural medicine health nut and guru, and now our beloved warrior.

He is a man who has always practiced what he preached. "Take care of your body and it will take care of you."  In 2002 Uncle Don had several basal carcinomas removed.  In 2004 he was diagnosed with his first melanoma which was removed with a Mohs procedure.  After that he kept dermatology appointments every six months.  He and his wife pointed out any concerns they had at every single visit. My aunt tells me that in 2010 there was a spot that popped up on his head resembling a blood blister. At their next visit she pointed it out to the dermatologist saying "we are concerned about it".  The doctor lightly pushed her hand away and said "it's nothing".  The spot grew rapidly and changed in appearance. She became more concerned. She even had a dream about it prompting her to push up Uncle Don's next appointment. At this visit she was more than adamant. The doctor was surprised "they had missed it" at the last visit.  He tried to excise it in the office but it was too deep.  A biopsy revealed melanoma. A second procedure with a surgeon removed it. The cancer was stage 4 melanoma by that time.  Given the advanced stage and lack of proven protocols for treatment, Uncle Don chose to let it run its course.  He has now been on Hospice for almost two years.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A SPOT DON'T LET THE DOCTOR BRUSH YOU OFF!! BE ASSERTIVE.  IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE.
























We are bombarded with all sorts of colors. Gold is for childhood cancers. I lived through that one. Pink is for breast cancer. I had a sister-in-law that lost her fight to that just a few years ago.  Light Blue is for prostate cancer. My father passed six years ago from that. I learned recently the black ribbon is for melanoma.
 
One of the vendors in our store confided to me that she lost a brother to melanoma. He had a spot on his thigh. He figured it was an age spot. He was a self professed nerd and rarely spent time out doors. He had fallen on the ice in his driveway and during surgery to set his leg the surgeon sent it to pathology. It came back melanoma. Further testing showed the cancer had spread through out his body. He passed away a year later.

In route to Texas I met a young woman on the plane who lost her husband recently to skin cancer. She was traveling with their 3 young children. She and her husband were high school sweethearts. He had a spot I believe she said it was on his back.  She doesn't recall it changing. She doesn't remember it not being there. During one of his physicals the doctor asked him about it. He decided to get it biopsied. The biopsy came back melanoma, he was gone within 8 months of his diagnosis. 

Every color of the rainbow now represents a form of cancer.  Long before these colors represented anything else they were simply the rainbow, God's promise for hope.

Take away nugget: Faith grows in the soil of Gratitude and Thankfulness. What are you truly grateful and thankful for?

Passing Mile #7 with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

When visiting me here remember that this is an extreme situation of Basal Cell.
I neglected to let the small voice in my head seek out different doctors. Professionals that could get through to me how this is a type of skin cancer. Whatever the name given by the diagnosis, Gorlin, bccns, basal cell carcinoma are all kindred beasts that do not go into hibernation or go away. They must be removed and watched diligently.

The plan is as follows. I am currently going through Mohs surgeries to get rid of the larger tumors on my face and head. The surgeon will then be excising the smaller ones on my neck, shoulders and torso. After which he will be using laser therapy to treat the smaller flesh tone tumors on my face and neck. He will be removing the tumors on my eyelids as well. I will be meeting with an eye specialist regarding the reconstruction of my eyelids. On the positive side of this is I will be getting a brow lift and eye work done courtesy of my cancer and should come out of this looking 10 years younger. We are still not clear whether I will then do a topical treatment and/or oral chemotherapy.

WARNING PHOTOS OF MILE #7 ARE GRAPHIC

Mile #3 & #4

At the surgeon's office for Mile #7 the doctor and his nurse check out the progress on my previous surgery sites.  Mile #3 And #4 (on the right) has excellent skin regrowth and according to the surgeon could be naked during the day.  My cheek is naked except when I am sleeping. The new skin there gets agitated when rubbed against the pillowcase. 




Mile #6

Mile #6 (on the left) is gellin and healing great.

Mile #7 takes over where Mile #3 left off. The surgeon will be working towards the crown of my head. The nurse and I now place friendly wagers as to how far the cancer goes. We both predict the edge towards my ear will not be cancer free. The nurse and I are split on the outcome of the top and back sides. The front of Mile #7 should meet with Mile #3.

Mile #7 before

Mile #7 starts of with an irregular oval shaped mass. It is sunken in the middle. This tumor appeared clear all around. The deception of the photograph is evident in the end result. This surgery took 4 stages. The nurse and I are both incorrect in our wager. The cancer areas met but went clear at the site of Mile #3. Shocking to all parties is the fact that all other edges came back clean. It is hard to tell but the indented area in the before picture is indeed the deepest the cancer has grown so far.

Mile #7 After

This wound was left open like the others. I will have to keep the entire area covered. The skin on the previous surgery site is too new and will pull off with tape. Loosing skin to tape will add to scarring.

A few people have asked me about the stage and grade of my cancer. I had not previously asked my doctors this question. This visit I am told basal cell cancer tumors are not staged or graded at this point. There are people like me with very extensive tumors. Some have tumors in their brain linked to this condition. These persons like myself are not the norm for  basal cell cancers. Over 98% of basal cell tumors are still considered localized and do not spread.

Following is my understanding of how basal cell tumors are categorized based on discussions with the medical staff at my doctors.  You should do your own research in case I misspeak.

They can be Nodular. This is the classic basal cell carcinoma. Nodular and noduloulcerative basal cell carcinomas account for approximately 75 percent of all basal cell carcinomas. These are small firm masses of tissue. They are usually limited to the top layer of skin tissue. Inflamed red blood vessels and capillaries are a frequent sign of nodular basal cell carcinoma. They are found mostly in sun exposed areas of the head and neck. On a noduloulcerative basal cell carcinoma, the center is caved in a bit and appears "scabby."

They can be Infiltrative. This is basal cell that is usually smaller on the surface and goes deep into the various layers of the skin tissue. These types of basal cell tumors can be anywhere on the body. They tend to act like a pimple or mole that bleeds every so often then almost disappears to come back again at a later date.

They can be Morpheaform. This basal cell carcinoma can be very aggressive and difficult to treat due it's lack of clear margins. Mohs surgery is a preferred treatment method followed by a topical adjutant treatment. Morpheaform tumors appear as a white or yellow, waxy, sclerotic plaque that rarely ulcerates, and sometimes con caves (depression). The morpheaform will often go untreated and unrecognized as a potential danger by the patient and is a subtype of BCC that is the most difficult subtype to diagnose.

And lastly they can be Recurrent. This basal cell comes back in the same spot repeatedly.

Having Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome, I personally have all 4 types.  Lucky Me!

So Mile #7 is behind me.

I still want to shave my head. My husband has vetoed that thus far. I shall see what tomorrow brings.

Take away nugget:    Goals create Challenges and Challenges create Goals

My Texas Roadtrip

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Blogging from Texas

I am still on vacation in Texas. Texas is unbelievable. I absolutely love it here. I fly into San Antonio and go from there to visit my Mom's in Fredericksberg. We decided to make Labor Day weekend a road trip.

Saturday, my mom and I head to Dallas and visit the Museum of Biblical Art www.biblicalarts.org  . Fabulous! If you find yourself in Dallas with a few hours to spare it is very nice. We are there expressly to see "The Resurrection of Christ", a 12 foot by 40 foot oil painting, by Ron Dicianni. We spend 30 minutes just taking it in with it's audio tour. When we arrive we notice everyone getting out of their vehicle in suits, ties and heels. We are in capris and t-shirts, awkward. We ask the couple getting out of the vehicle next to us if this is the museum. "Yes, there is a wedding reception here."  They still allow tours with other functions, just a third of the museum is blocked off during this event.

We spend almost two hours there. A patron of the museum looks at me and says "That's what you get when you try to ride the bulls". While at home I hear: "you poor thing", "when was your accident", "how's the other guy" and so on.  Any time I am asked I give my standard reply, "Oh no honey I'm killing cancer".  Texans have an entirely different mind set .  At the hotel in Glen Rose people see my bandages and ask if I am part of the rodeo barrel racing. 
 
This is truly a special time. My brother is a grandpa now. His daughter is in town from North Carolina with her daughter for the long weekend. His older son is here from Waco, Texas where he attends college and lives with his wife and daughter.  I got to see family I have not seen in years. Kids of all ages are priceless. My great niece informs me that her momma told her I have an "owey", that's why I have all the bandages. She asks if they hurt, I tell her "not today", she says "good" and that is that.

Beware those of you having similar fates as mine. I did not think it was very hot on my brother's covered court yard where we spent several hours.  I ended up with heat rash under one bandage and my cheek actually started to bleed. My surgeon knows what he is talking about when he says stay cool.

Sunday morning we attend my brother's church, Stone Water, in Glen Rose. http://new.stonewaterchurch.com/glen-rose-campus They truly have a heart for God's people. My brother's youngest son was the lead guitarist for their praise band. He is starting college at Texas A&M this year, and is already moved into his dorm. I am believing he will find a church there he loves as much as Stone Water. It is the first time I was able to attend church with my brother at his home church. His church family was very welcoming and gracious.

After church we head for Fort Worth for lunch at Pappasitas. A friend of my nephew's gives me a hug and says he hopes everything goes better than I hope. Southern gentlemen come in all ages.

We visit the Fort Worth Stockyards. I call it Fort Worth's answer to New Orleans', Bourbon Street or Chicago's, Lake Shore Drive. It is definitely a tourist destination. Several motorcyclists visiting the area ask about my "road rash". I imagine I was quite the site. Everyone  is having fun in the sun and I am walking under a king size black umbrella. If I could have found one more appropriate for a southern belle I would have carried it. Hot and tired, we head back to Glen Rose after the 4 o'clock cattle drive down the main thoroughfare.  Guess the combination of exploring shops and the umbrella worked.  No problems with my "wounds".

Mom and I returned to Fredericksburg today. Odd being tired and exhilarated at the same time.



Take Away Nugget: Everyday GOD gives us a rainbow even if some days we can only see it in the shower.