The Dackel Princess

Saturday was wonderful! I did just what I had hoped to do today. I relaxed! I made Hubby and I a nice breakfast, finally got that Chinese food lunch, and discovered how to use my “Smart TV” to tune in You Tube.

I baked potatoes, steamed asparagus and baked scallops for our dinner. An incredibly easy meal to prepare, and enjoy!

Our weather was so pretty today and I really loved seeing the sunshine! We didn’t get the snow this time, luckily!

I took the dackels on walks, and have decided to get Arnie’s harness back out. Perhaps the girl’s harnesses too. Arnie pulls on the lead so much that he chokes himself. The girls don’t do this, but I am thinking they would be easier to handle in a group if I had their harnesses on.

I cannot begin to tell you how many people have written me about having undergone the Mohs Surgery for skin cancer. The bright spot is that these people have done wonderfully well, and the surgery is becoming more and more common.

I received the pathology report from my biopsies, and I sent them to my daughter, who previously worked in oncology research. She was able to ascertain that this is a pre-cancer type of carcinoma and that the Mohs Surgery is extremely good at eradicating it, along with the chemo cream!

So I am feeling like I have a whole new lease on life!

Have you ever found that good news tends to take some time getting through, but bad news travels fast?

I sort of feel like I have been traveling in the fast lane over the past week. I went into see my own doctor on Monday February 4th. He also felt I should see a good Dermatologist. I’d found Dr. A. and I wanted to be sent to her.

When my doctor’s secretary called for an appointment, she was told, June or July would be the first available appointment. In the meantime, they asked my doctor for his notes.

By the time I got home I was telling myself to not be picky and go to the first available Dermatologist. Then on Wednesday February 6th I got a phone call from Dr. A.’s office asking for my surgical records.

That afternoon Hubby drove me to the local hospital and I signed the privacy form so that my records could be sent to Dr. A.

By Friday, I had an appointment for the following Monday. On Monday, I had two biopsies taken.

On Wednesday, February 13th, in the early afternoon they called to tell me that it is a return of the cancer. I now must go to a special surgeon for a Mohs Operation. The good news is, that this procedure gives you a 98-99% chance of a full recovery with no relapse at that sight.

Then, as I sat thinking about the road ahead, I was reminded about my favorite movies. And this segment!

Who knows? Maybe they’ll find my twin!

Back in July of 2008, I was diagnosed with, and operated on for Skin Cancer on my nose. You can go back HERE and read all about that time in my life.

Recently, I noticed that the scar on my nose was reacting badly. By this I mean, it was once again getting red, the skin was scaly and the scar looked like it was growing.

So last week I went in on Tuesday and saw my doctor, who referred me to Dr. A. at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. That day we were told that the soonest I could get in was JULY!

Then I heard that Dr. A.’s office wanted all my surgical records. So we drove down to get them the next day to have them faxed over to Dr. A.’s office.

She looked them over on Friday morning and her nurse called me with an appointment for Monday morning at 10 AM.

I tried not to worry or freak out, but frankly, it concerned me that they’d found an appointment space so quickly after getting my records.

In fact I told my cousin there were no worries, and she wrote me back asking “Who are you? And what have you done with my cousin?”

Have I mentioned that in fact I am a BIG little bit of a worrier?

Monday came and Hubby offered to drive me. Our roads are still not the best here in New Hampshire, after the big storm on Friday/Saturday, and today’s surprise storm!

Going over wasn’t so bad, but the return trip was scary as all get out!

But, I digress.

When I got to Dr. A.’s Office I was escorted into her examination room. After examining my nose, she was not happy. It seems my original surgery was not done correctly and that was why she wanted to see me so quickly.

She believes the cancer has come back and she would like an extensive surgery done to further remove the cancer and then do plastic surgery on my nose.

Meanwhile, today, Dr. A. took two biopsies on my nose and then she put in stitches. I must leave them for a week before they are removed.

I do not know when my next procedure will be. I guess as soon as they can arrange it. After the skin heals, I will need to use a chemotherapy cream until they are sure the cancer is completely gone.

I’m feeling a little headache-y now and my nose also hurts. But I think it is to be expected.

Hubby drove me over and back, as I said. The ride over was not so bad until we reached Lebanon, NH. Then the snow was falling pretty heavily. Then I was in for my appointment and when I got out, the snow was already 3 inches deep! And very slippery!

Mountain roads are not the easiest, and I swear I couldn’t breathe the entire time we were in the car. Now we’re home, I am feeling a little better, just cold. At one point a large propane truck was coming our way, and he was sliding! Talk about scared!

So thank you all for listening to me today. Yes, I am a little freaked now, and I will keep trying to chill out.

Keep your fingers crossed that all will turn out okay!

Thanks!

I’m off to the Dermatologist’s Office to see what she has to say about my spots. She will also strip me naked, as the day I was born, and go over me for any other abnormalities.

Isn’t that a great way to start the day? Stripping down naked, in front of a total stranger? I’m as nervous as a new bride!

My pocketbook is packed with my Kindle and some breath mints and off I’ll go. I hope it won’t take long, although I am sure she will be thorough.

Wish me luck!