MOHS Surgery

Because I was diagnosed with Melanoma 6 years ago, I regularly see a dermatologist who checks my skin for anything suspicious. It is extremely rare for me to leave her office without having done a skin biopsy. Since my melanoma diagnosis, all biopsies have come back benign (yippee!). But a couple of weeks ago when I went in for my semi-annual checkup, my Dr. noticed a teeny tiny mark on my right cheek. She immediately said, "I'm 99% sure that's basal cell carcinoma. We are going to have to biopsy that." Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It's super slow-growing and not likely to metastasize. That being said, it's still cancer and my Dr. (and I), wanted it gone. So she took a sample of it (along with 2 other suspicious marks) and I was on my way. 

Now I like to think that I'm not a particularly vain person, but the truth is I care about my face! I even caught myself being self-conscious of the tiny circle-band-aid-sized biopsy on my cheek, so I was anxious about having to remove more skin there once the biopsy results came back. 

Sure enough, my very competent dermatologist was right---the biopsy showed basal cell carcinoma just below my right eye. The good news was that the other two suspicious-looking marks both came back negative (phew!), so I only needed further treatment for the one on my cheek. 

Yesterday morning in a minor surgical procedure, I had the cancerous skin removed from my face in what is called MOHS surgery. It took most of the day because they remove thin layers of skin and then send them off to the lab while you wait in their office for the results. Once enough layers have been removed that the tissue is declared cancer-free, they stitch you up and you can be on your way. My particular surgery took two layers of skin to remove all the cancerous tissue (not the one layer we had hoped for, but definitely not a worst-case-scenario). These two layers of skin being removed landed me a puffy soon-to-be black eye and the proud owner of 20 stitches front and center on my face. 

Here I am awaiting the results of my first layer of tissue. I kept Ryan posted while I was in the waiting room with pictures and texts. He was at home taking care of Nathan. Notice the puffy, hard-to-keep-open right eye. 

Here is my battle wound right after being stitched up but before getting bandaged. My Dr. is optimistic that, given 2 or 3 months, no one but me will be able to notice the scar on my face. I am so thankful for her cautious care with my skin and especially for being so perceptive to notice the tiny cancer spot in the first place. She was so sensitive to my situation and took a lot of time to make sure she stitched me up as flawlessly as possible.

I know that this probably wouldn't be a big deal to most people. It was nothing as scary as the Melanoma I dealt with 6 years ago. But for some reason every time I find myself in the dermatologist's or oncologist's office, I get anxious butterflies in my stomach. It's hard to keep all those tender feelings buried and not worry a little bit about getting bad news again. But even though I was anxious and nervous and had knots in my stomach, I was able to feel peace through my nerves. I knew a lot of family members and the few friends who knew were praying for me and thinking of me, and I felt their prayers and support.

If I have learned anything from all of these skin cancer scares, it's the importance of sunscreen. It really does make a difference. And it only takes a second to apply. My kids get doused in it every time we spend time in the sun. I'm relentless about it and hopefully always will be. So here's my friendly little PSA--Wear Sunscreen!! And make your children wear it too.

Maddie's Baptism Day

I meant to record my feelings about Maddie's baptism shortly after the ceremony, but obviously that didn't happen! So here we are, months later playing catch up. We had a family home evening lesson last night on the importance of keeping records/journals, and I vowed to start updating this family blog weekly again. Wish me luck. 

Maddie was baptized and confirmed on June 11, 2016. It was such a pay-back day for me as a parent. Her primary teacher, Jennifer Arbour, spoke on baptism, and she asked her cousin, Carson, to speak about the gift of the Holy Ghost. They both did beautiful jobs and brought the Spirit into the meeting. Then she and Davis and Isaac sang "When I am Baptized." This was the highlight of the meeting for most people, I think. There were a lot of tears shed as the three of them sang so sweetly and innocently (I bribed them with lollipops or some kind of candy and they totally delivered!). I was also impressed with how many people from our branch came and supported Maddie. It was so touching. She invited a few friends from school, and one of them came and brought her mom with her. It was special for Maddie (and me) to teach them a little bit about our faith.

Ryan's parents were able to fly in for the week and it meant so much to us to have them there. 

When Maddie came out of the water, I was waiting between the font and the dressing room with a towel for her. As I wrapped her body in the towel, her face was beaming and tears just started streaming down my face. I tried to explain to her through tears that I was just so happy for her, the decision she had made, and the chance that I have been given to be her mother.

Not only did Lynn and Mary-Ann come into town, but so did Shannon, Matt, Natalee, and Carson! It was extra special to have them with us.

Playing around with her brothers and Carson...

oops.