SUNSCREEN IS A GOOD THING!

I am a pretty private person. So why do I blog? Well, I came to the realization recently that unless we share our own stories, we cannot possibly help someone else who may share the same experiences. Today I want to share my story about skin cancer. It may not be for the faint:)

Yesterday I spent the day in Norfolk and Virginia Beach with my wonderful rock of a husband. I was there to have a tiny little skin cancer called a Basal Cell Carcinoma (a scary word) removed from my left cheek. If you know me, you probably have never even noticed it over these past 3 (yes at least 3!) years. Seriously it was probably the size of a small pea. And clear. The color was almost that of my regular complexion. Just a raised little pea-sized bump that started to bleed and not heal. So I finally went to get it checked. Basal Cell Carcinoma. A skin cancer that comes from years of UV exposure. Now, I have never been much of a sun worshiper/tanner, but I have spent many a day in the sun watching my husband play softball. Without sunscreen. Still never thought it could happen to me.

So I started the day yesterday with the dermatologist. I was told that he would start by removing the lesion , me waiting an hour in the waiting room with a bandage on my face, and then them telling me if they got it all or if they would have to go back in and go deeper. This could go on for 2, 3 , 4 or more times, with me waiting an hour between. Ugg. Sure wasn't looking forward to that. A little anxious, to be sure. So after the first round I waited with my bandage in the waiting room, praying that I would not have to go back, but preparing myself that I would because of how long it had been there. After about an hour the nurse came out and told me that I was done! Relief. Sincere thanks for all the special people who were praying for me during that very time :) Now I could go across town to the plastic surgeon to get put back together.

I had to go to Va. Beach ambulatory surgery and be put to sleep to be fixed up by the plastic surgeon. You just wouldn't think that something so small on the outside of the skin could be so much more involved on the inside. I can't imagine how much more involved it would have been had it been deeper. The plastic surgeon and nurses told me that they were surprised that the dermatologist only had to go in once. I choose to believe that it was prayer. I'm not sure why some prayers seem to go unanswered but I do know that there is a purpose for everything to work out like it does. It is not an easy thing to completely trust Him in all areas of my life, but I am learning. And I find that I am more at peace. But that is another blog:)

So after I woke up a little, they sent me home with a big old ice pack on my numb face. When I took the ice pack off, I looked like I had been hit with a baseball bat on the left side of my face. My husband said I was still pretty. Now that's called unconditional love. Don't know what I would do without that man:) The picture above is from the day after. I didn't want to scare you too much:) The swelling has gone down tremendously. Ice works:)

Now the good news is that Basal Cell Carcinoma does not spread to other body places. When it's out, it's gone. And the plastic surgeon had told me that in 6 months you will not even be able to see the scar. A wonderful ending to be sure:)

Don't want to scare anyone. Or sound preachy or judgmental. But wear sunscreen. Be happy with the color of your natural skin. Go get that worrisome place looked at. And above all don't think that it can't happen to you.

Love to all.....