It all started with a small bump on the right side of my nose that came up about 4 months ago. I have other small red surface bumps on my nose that have been checked out by a dermatologist that told me they were broken blood vessels. I have had laser done on them but they always seem to come back. This bump was different. It was raised and not just on the surface. It started as a small bump and I thought it was a pimple but it would not heal. It started to bleed everytime I washed my face, I'm not one to mess around so I made an appointment with my dermatologist. After having 4 biopsies 1) ankle 2) thigh 3) tip of nose (those surface bumps again) and 4) new bump on side of face .........results came back #4 is squamous cell cancer. The dermatologist recommended Mohs Surgery.
I came home from the appointment and started my research. Yikes.......this isn't going to be fun. I'm not sure I want to go back to the same dermatologist due to the possibility of needing reconstruction after the cancer is removed. I decided to go to a doctor at Duke in Durham who specializes in Mohs surgery and reconstructive wounds. There have been articles written about him as being the facial sculpture. I want to be in good hands just in case.
My appointment is tomorrow 10/20/2011. I am getting ready to pack. My husband and I will be traveling to Duke and will spend the night so I can be at my appointment at 7:30am. My mother and step Dad drove down from PA to be with our children. I will post a before picture shortly. It will be 'before MOHS surgery' after biopsy.
