This photo of us was taken in 2010. Looking at this photo, I think I can see the first skin cancer even then, on the right side of his nose. A spot just a little darker than the rest of his nose. Maybe I’m just imagining it, because I know where it appeared first. He had the first basal cell cancer removed at the VA in Prescott Arizona on July 1, 2011.
Several months ago, we both noticed another place on his nose, this time on the bridge right in the middle. I asked him to go to the VA to get it checked out, but he said it was just a pimple. You can see it in the photo above. And yes, it did seem to go away, and come back, then go away again, several times. A couple of weeks ago, he had an appointment with a dermatologist at the VA in Birmingham. They did a biopsy on three spots, and all three came back as cancerous. There were two basal cell carcinomas and one squamous cell carcinoma, in a cluster on Fabgrandpa’s nose.
Fabgrandpa was referred to The Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham by the VA, because the VA did not have anyone on their staff who could do the MOHS surgery that was needed. We did not know anything at all about The Kirklin Clinic, but it turns out that it is one of the best cancer treatment clinics in the southeast. This is from their website:
With over 257 exam rooms and many nationally-ranked specialties, the Clinic’s staff combines clinical care with teaching and research to produce an environment that is in the best interest of the patient. In order to tailor our treatments to our patients and families’ needs, we collaborate and communicate with them to provide them with the ultimate patient experience and highest quality care
When we were checking in to our hotel on Sunday night, there was another couple checking in at the same time. She has breast cancer, and was referred by her doctor in Florida to the Kirklin Clinic. So, we felt that we were in good hands there.
On Monday, we took the hotel shuttle over to the clinic. We found out first hand that they really do take the patient’s best interests into consideration. There were four doctors, two of whom were students, and three nurses assigned to Mr. Fabgrandpa. They welcomed me to stay in the room while they operated, and must have asked me a dozen times if they could get me anything. They brought coffee and snacks, and still asked if there was anything they could do for us.
They got Fabgrandpa suited up in his open backed gown and on the table, then drew some lines and dots on his nose where they would be operating. Next, they started the anesthesia, which was shots into his nose. They did all they could to make sure it hurt as little as possible.
Dr. Huang was the doctor in charge. He and the other doctors perfomed MOHS surgery, which is “accepted as the single most effective technique for removing Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BCCs and SCCs), the two most common skin cancers.” (from Skin Cancer.org website). In MOHS surgery, tissue samples are sent to the lab during the surgery, not after. The surgeon can know for sure that they have removed enough tissue right there while they have the patient on the table. Unfortunately, Fabgrandpa’s lesions were deep, so they had to take a lot of tissue to get all of the cancerous ones. Then, they had to take tissue from his upper chest to make a graft to close the two largest wounds.
Those skin patches will never match the color of his nose, but they look a lot better than the deep wounds that were there. When it heals, it will be just another sign of victory over cancer, and that is what counts for me.
If you suspect that you have a skin cancer, don’t wait to get it treated. There is a whopping 97% to 99.5% cure rate for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer when treated with MOHS surgery.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone practice monthly head-to-toe self examination of their skin, so that they can find any new or changing lesions that might be cancerous or precancerous. Skin cancers found and removed early are almost always curable. Learn about the warnings signs of skin cancer and what to look for during a self examination. If you spot anything suspicious, see a doctor.
Because someone loves your cute little nose (or your big ol snozz!), do it!
Update January 2018: I wanted to add a photo of what Fabgrandpa looks like now, so you can see that even though the tissue grafts are a different color, you really can not tell he had surgery there is you don’t know.
Brenda says
September 9, 2014 at 11:57 pmI think there is not enough discussion on skin cancer and it is great to see this!
Barbara Platt says
September 10, 2014 at 8:27 amHi Karen, This story hits home with me. My brother, 53, has the same thing in the same place and refuses to have surgery. The doctor said he would have to dig very deep then do reconstructive surgery, so he opted to not do anything. Of course that leaves us wondering how long he has before it kills him. He has other health issues, too. Can you keep me advised about your husband’s condition. I will pass on what you have said so far. Thanks, Barbara
Karen says
September 10, 2014 at 11:05 amI will write about it again to update as time goes on. If he has another spot come up, we will be going to the doctor as soon as we can. Your brother needs to go in and get his cancer looked at. It will only get worse as time goes on, and if he waits he could lose his nose.
Shasta Walton says
September 11, 2014 at 2:50 pmI really need to get some spots checked out. They have grown and changed and I used to use the tanning bed daily, but I’m so scared. The deep wounds you get from having things removed, I don’t know it just scares me. I know it’s better than cancer and I need to go. Maybe I will make my appt this week.
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
September 11, 2014 at 3:33 pmBless his heart! Oh my goodness! I hope that he is healing well. I have a few ‘red’ spots on my leg that I need to get taken care of. Thanks for the reminder!
simplybeingmommy says
September 11, 2014 at 3:33 pmWow, I’m so thankful to know that it was caught in time to catch it. Although the wound looks deep, it doesn’t seem too wide-spread of an area. Sending happy thoughts & prayers during the recovery period.
Swa-Rai (@swaraiblog) says
September 11, 2014 at 4:24 pmI’m so glad he is still smiling. I hope he recovers well.
moscatomom says
September 11, 2014 at 8:03 pmAwe bless him! My Dad had a spot removed from his nose too, and he has a pink scar now to show he, too, won the battle with cancer. Many many hugs to you and FabGrandpa.
Shell Feis says
September 12, 2014 at 2:22 amI am so happy that FabGrandpa was able to be referred to a good cancer facility to take care of him. Happy healing in the journey ahead.
Kimberly Grabinski says
September 12, 2014 at 9:13 amSuch an important post to help others, praying for a speedy recovery!
Mellisa says
September 12, 2014 at 9:56 amI found out a few months ago that I have Basal Cell right under my eye. I go in to have it removed next Tuesday and I am going to be honest, it scares the crap out of me!! Since it’s in a really akward spot I am going to a plastic surgeon to have it removed. I really hope that they are able to get all of it out without leaving a really bad scar. I’m so glad you guys found the BCC and got it removed 🙂
kbunn4 says
September 12, 2014 at 12:26 pmSo glad he came through it without a hitch. What a great sport he is for letting you cover the whole thing with pictures. Here is to a speedy recovery!
Ashley says
September 12, 2014 at 1:43 pmWow, I’m so glad they caught it in time. I just said a prayer for a speedy recovery. Thank you for the important reminder to check and double check our skin. My husband’s family has a history of skin cancer so we can’t be too careful!
Miranda @ The Bright Side of Reality says
September 12, 2014 at 5:03 pmI’m so glad that they took such good care of him and that he’s now on the road to recovery. That’s scary and this is really good information. It’s certainly a good reminder to always wear sunscreen and to check for changes in the skin.
Maralea says
September 18, 2014 at 4:18 pmHope all is going well and he is on the road to recovery. Thank goodness it was caught early. It can never be said enough how important it is to apply lots of sunscreen.
Emiley says
September 5, 2015 at 7:03 pmThanks for post. I have searching for answers. Hope fab grandpa is still doing great. My dad recently had biopsy done at VA. They called and said it was skin cancer. They did not say what kind. They originally said they were checking to make sure not melanoma. It had been so many weeks since biopsy that my mom was floored when they called and said it was skin cancer and that Kirkland clinic would schedule surgery. They gave no other details!! It’s been a week and we still have not heard from the Kirkland clinic. Just really concerned and wondering how long this normally takes. So glad you explained why the surgery had to be done at Kirklin since they gave no details. Hoping all is still well with you guys and hoping my dad gets good news. Thanks again for sharing.