Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Surgery Update!!

Since I shared with y'all about my upcoming surgery, I thought it was only fair to share the results/healing process with you as well! Thank you so much for all of your prayers, comments, and emails- they definitely worked because the surgeon said it was "The best situation possible and definitely best that I didn't wait until after the wedding because the cancer would have spread."

I won't bore/gross you out with all of the details, but they only had to remove one layer overall with doing a second layer in one small corner. My nurse ended up being a former co-worker of mine from high school when we worked in the mall together; talk about a blessing! It was SO nice having a familiar face with me throughout the whole procedure! The Dr was super nice and a huge talker like me, so we just chatted throughout the entire surgery, which definitely made me feel at ease. We even had a nice vent session with each other about how jacked up our government is- me with education and he with health care. Ha!

They removed a dime size circle from my nose and I have 8 stitches running the entire length of my nose. Holy Frankenstein!  I'm attaching a picture I took yesterday morning- the bruising and swelling is definitely worse today (I currently have a big ol' black eye-so sexy), but they said after today, it shouldn't get any worse... I've been icing my nose and face down every 2 hours with some frozen peas- they are the BEST ice packs- and can start taking Ibuprofen tomorrow which should start reducing the swelling :)

M has been so amazing throughout the whole ordeal- he's taken the whole "in sickness and in health" thing to heart and has been right there for me with anything I need. He's was even carrying my "Bride" bag around the surgery center and he didn't even care that it had Bride spelled out across it in sequins! Haha :) I wish I had a picture-it was too cute.

The doctor said that he is almost 100% sure that my cancer was a result of using the tanning bed. While this is of some comfort to me since I wasn't sure if I was getting too much "real" sun each summer (he said I wasn't), it just further proves how dangerous tanning beds truly are! Seriously people, stay away from them!! I haven't even been in one in years and never even went on a frequent basis, but here I am/was a 29 year old with skin cancer. Scary stuff. But praise God for awesome doctors and their ability to remove it quickly!

Here is the pic from yesterday

And here is a truly comical pic that M took of me last night while watching my drama filled obsession, The Real Housewives of the OC. I was so tired of holding the peas on my face, that I busted out my head band and put it to use. Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do :) I asked M if I looked scary gangsta? He replied, "You're wearing a Mary Kay head band and you have peas on your face, so no honey, you're not gangsta!" Ha! 
 Personally, I thought I looked pretty darn intimidating ;)

I'll be sure to post some more pics on Monday after the stitches are removed and I'll try to post a Wedding Wednesday later tonight :)
We had two more showers this weekend, so I have lots to share!!

XOXO
Ash

3 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! Thank you for sharing your journey!! I don't go to the TB much at all (maybe 15-20 times my whole life...) but after hearing your story, I am NEVER going again!!

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  2. Just want you to know that reading about your ordeal caused me to call my dermatologist to get a mole check. I haven't had one in a couple of years so I am well past due for one!

    Good luck with the rest of your healing process!

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  3. I'm glad you're doing okay, and that your sweetie has been so good to you. Prayers for a speedy recovery!

    Allyson
    http://cupcakescandycanes.blogspot.com

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