Recently I shared with you some rather nasty images of the effects of Efudix, a topical chemotherapy cream which I was using to treat skin cancer on my nose.
However as I mentioned then, I think that I got off rather lightly.
The hubster was diagnosed with skin cancer on his ear at the end of last year, and on 5 January he had surgery to remove two Basal Cell Carcinomas, including a skin graft.
It might have only been day surgery but it still cost more than $3000 – and that was AFTER we’d shopped around for a better deal!
Poor hubster was worried that he would be left with ugly scarring, but not even 3 months afterwards, it is already barely noticeable. However all has not been smooth sailing.
See for yourself (if you are a bit squeamish, you might like to click away now!) …
Basal Cell Carinoma on the Ear
Before surgery: two sores are clearly visible on the ear. No sooner would they heal, than they would break open and bleed again (usually when he would dry them off with a towel after a shower).
I should also add that he went to THREE doctors – yes, at a mole screening clinic – over a 12 month period with his concerns, before one actually did a biopsy and diagnosed the skin cancer. Not happy Jan! Follow your instincts – if in doubt, insist on a biopsy!
The skin cancer surgery itself went smoothly enough – only twilight sedation was required. Here he is enjoying a snack in recovery. He was high as a kite and very chatty!
The dressing on the skin graft stayed in place for a week; you can clearly see where the skin was taken from the side of his neck.
I did warn you the pictures might be a bit gory! (And this one isn’t the worst – but I thought I would spare you the sight of blood oozing from his neck at least). As you can see, a couple of weeks after surgery, both wounds were swollen, sore and infected, and we were concerned that the graft wasn’t going to take after all …
11 Weeks After Surgery
Both wounds are barely noticeable, although the specialist did say that it would take up to six months for them to heal fully.
Preventing Skin Cancer
Having seen these images, I’m sure nobody would want to grow through this. Another lady I spoke to in the waiting room was telling me about her cricket-loving husband, who developed skin cancer on the eye when he was in his early forties – which would be even worse than having it on your ear!
So the toys would like to remind you to be sun safe, and always slip, slop, slap!
When was the last time YOU went for a skin cancer check?!
Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for a (mostly) Wordless Wednesday 🙂
Thanks for sharing these. No one wants to go through this! Unfortunately most of the damage to my skin was when I was young but I try now with 50 plus and go to a clinic annually. My mym had a huge cancer cut off her face and I was so impressed with how it healed. Amazing.
It was the same with hubster Ashleigh. He grew up in north Qld and being kids in the 70’s we weren’t too worried about skin cancer back then. Boys wear caps which DON’T protect the ears – and we also noticed the skin cancers developed on his driver’s side so that could definitely be a factor too …