The "MOHS Surgery" Story

It was an ordinary day. I was headed to Dermatology Associates where I go every year to be checked for skin cancer. Went a couple of months ago and they found two spots that needed to be removed. I scheduled an appointment for one of the spots a few weeks before we go on vacation in the spring. The more I thought about it I didn't want to have bandages or band aids on my ear when we go to the beach, so I called and asked if they have a cancellation to let me know. Well yesterday they called and told me to be there today. Luckily, the only thing I had scheduled was breakfast with the retired teachers and I could miss that, so I told them I could make it. Today I will have this spot on the top of my left ear, which hasn't healed for a few months, removed. Now, I suspect I got this spot from being out in the sun too much. Carol and I love the beach and visit it a few weeks a year. The doctor told me to stay out of the sun OR wear a hat that covers my ear. Like a baseball helmet! OK. Dr. Hebel told me she was going to perform Mohs Surgery on me today. She first photographed my ear and then numbed it and cut off a section of the top. She promised me I would still have enough left to wear my glasses. I then had my ear bandaged and went to the waiting room. As I entered the waiting room, there was Kathy S. who used to teach school with me and was also due at breakfast. She had a huge bandage across her lip. "They promise you that you could still wear lipstick?" I asked her. She smiled and said, "Why aren't you at breakfast?" "Same reason you're not," I replied. Then she asked, "where is your lunch?" Everyone in the room had a lunch bag with them. "Nobody told me about bringing lunch," I said. "And did you drive yourself here?" she wanted to know. "Sure, why not?" I said. "Because we were told to have transportation and lunch for the day," she told me. FOR THE DAY! I missed that part of the phone call yesterday, I guess. Oh well, they had a basket of snacks which looked like my lunch for the day. I had no idea how long I would be there. In an hour the nurse took me back to the room and Dr. Hebel told me I needed to have more cut off. That is what MOHS Surgery is. They take some, examine it for irregular cells, take more, examine it again, etc., until they have it all. I have basal cell carcinoma and that has roots that have to be stopped so they don't spread, therefore the lengthy process. Again I waited an hour. Had a few snacks and a drink while I waited. Also found a neat book to read on Rocky Springs Park which featured the rollercoaster. I happened to have my camera along and so I took a photo to use for my blog story on my trip to Rocky Springs (The "Wildcat" Story). Again I was called and again I had more cut off. Starting to get worried no one will recognize me ever again. By now Kathy was done and had called her husband to pick her up. Finally, "You are ready for stitches," the nurse tell me. That took an HOUR! 18 stitches! She had to pull the skin on the back of my ear up and over the top and stitch it inside the top of the ear. "How can you do that?" I asked her. "I'm a plastic surgeon also," she told me. Well, when she finished she photographed it and the nurse bandaged the side of my head. Looked like I had my whole ear cut off. The next day I removed the bandage and voila, it looked gross. But time heals all wounds and it did this one also. Had the stitches removed and am good to go.......to the beach. My wife told me both ears match. Yeah! She really does love me! In two more weeks I get the other spot dug out on my back. Oh boy, more fun. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.