Melanoma In Situ
In My Bloodstream: Lisinopril, Amlodopine, Omeprazole, Tamsulosin
On The Stereo: You Mean Everything To Me: Shawn Mullins
Update
We were back to our routine schedule this past week. Teaching for the Kat Lady, and researching, writing, yard work, and golf, for me. The weather has been less than perfect, but we struggle through. Days have been clear and dry, in the mid to low 70's and the evenings have been brutal, going down into the high 50's. We just have had to tolerate it. Hope it has been better for you.😉
We had been waffling on whether or not to travel to Raleigh for Thanksgiving. The kids have planned to have some of their friends in for dinner, so we will stay home and take it easy. The kids will have their hands full, already. They certainly do not need more people to look after. Thanksgiving can sometimes be a bit too hectic for the hosts. Kath needs a rest, for sure, and the thought of facing holiday traffic, and the bad weather along the way, starts to be a little daunting for both of us. We will stay at home and enjoy each other, and we will be happy.
Let us again go back in time, to 2017, and begin to put a wrap on the in situ melanoma, on my scalp.
To celebrate Kathy's birthday, as you might recall, we tried out some surgery, to eliminate this horrific growth on my head.
We went into surgery with this abomination.
I have talked before about the problems encountered with the donor site. The area that was problematic, is well looked after. It is repaired and sealed, so much so, that there is little blood or pain, a few days after the operation. The area where the skin was removed, is a whole different story. It is a large open wound, which can be covered, but it cannot heal well unless you do not move at all. The slightest movement causes the skin to tear. And that continues ad infinitum. Blood and pain become central to your existence for weeks. To add insult to injury, the nurses recommended using doggy wet pads to cover the wound. Apparently, they are every bit as sanitary as "people" bandages, and not as expensive. We gave the remaining pads to the Hannas, for their new puppy. Dave said he would wear one for the walk home. Old age is alright, if you can laugh at yourself. My friend can do that, for sure.
This operation was quite successful, with the melanoma removed.
I would like to say that we were able to take a short hiatus, but that was not to be. I had a few other skin cancers which required attention, so my head received some reprieve, while the rest of me became targets for more operations.
In a few weeks we will continue this story, that has already gone on too long. I'm sure you would agree. But you just might better understand just how difficult it was, living through these months of never-ending surgeries. It was a bloody, messy, painful time, that never provided a satisfactory ending. Cancer after cancer. Surgery after surgery.
My Child Bride and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. In our house, we have much for which to be thankful. We are most fortunate people.
I finish with a memory from last year's celebration in Raleigh.
Diverticulitis outburst. Raleigh E.R.
On The Stereo: You Mean Everything To Me: Shawn Mullins
Update
We were back to our routine schedule this past week. Teaching for the Kat Lady, and researching, writing, yard work, and golf, for me. The weather has been less than perfect, but we struggle through. Days have been clear and dry, in the mid to low 70's and the evenings have been brutal, going down into the high 50's. We just have had to tolerate it. Hope it has been better for you.😉
We had been waffling on whether or not to travel to Raleigh for Thanksgiving. The kids have planned to have some of their friends in for dinner, so we will stay home and take it easy. The kids will have their hands full, already. They certainly do not need more people to look after. Thanksgiving can sometimes be a bit too hectic for the hosts. Kath needs a rest, for sure, and the thought of facing holiday traffic, and the bad weather along the way, starts to be a little daunting for both of us. We will stay at home and enjoy each other, and we will be happy.
Let us again go back in time, to 2017, and begin to put a wrap on the in situ melanoma, on my scalp.
To celebrate Kathy's birthday, as you might recall, we tried out some surgery, to eliminate this horrific growth on my head.
We went into surgery with this abomination.
The first thing required to fix this up was some skin, none being available near the problem area. So a graft was taken from my upper thigh. Remember that if you kiss the top of my head.
I have talked before about the problems encountered with the donor site. The area that was problematic, is well looked after. It is repaired and sealed, so much so, that there is little blood or pain, a few days after the operation. The area where the skin was removed, is a whole different story. It is a large open wound, which can be covered, but it cannot heal well unless you do not move at all. The slightest movement causes the skin to tear. And that continues ad infinitum. Blood and pain become central to your existence for weeks. To add insult to injury, the nurses recommended using doggy wet pads to cover the wound. Apparently, they are every bit as sanitary as "people" bandages, and not as expensive. We gave the remaining pads to the Hannas, for their new puppy. Dave said he would wear one for the walk home. Old age is alright, if you can laugh at yourself. My friend can do that, for sure.
This operation was quite successful, with the melanoma removed.
After the operation
The excision area was deep and wide, so a protective cap was fashioned to fill the abyss. A nod to my Jewish friends, I think.
After several weeks, the bandage was removed.
And we came out like this.
A nice piece of work.
That was a lot of operational story to pass on, but, as you know, that was not the end. More melanoma needed excision, and we prepared ourselves for what was yet to come. Dr. Harrington would perform another operation, and would take the opportunity, at the same time, to correct the large slash on my forehead, left from a previous operation.
This is where we were, when we received the pathology results. There was still more cancer on the margins of the wound. That was obviously extremely disappointing, and more than a little depressing.
If we were going to press forward with our lives, and specifically, my life, we would go back under the knife. I would like to tell you that these were all minor operations, but they most certainly were not.
Pre-op. and not looking particularly amused.
Early April, 2017, I looked a little like this.
We headed home to recover. We had been through a lot. And we needed time to allow the wounds and the scarring to recover. We still had to have one more more excision, looking forward. Our spirits were ebbing. Each operation was improving my condition and appearance, but, was subsequently uncovering more melanoma. I was thinking that I was going to look much improved. Somewhat jokingly, I hoped I would not be looking up from a casket. "But doesn't he look good", I would hear you say.
Kath, getting ready to take me home.
In a few weeks we will continue this story, that has already gone on too long. I'm sure you would agree. But you just might better understand just how difficult it was, living through these months of never-ending surgeries. It was a bloody, messy, painful time, that never provided a satisfactory ending. Cancer after cancer. Surgery after surgery.
My Child Bride and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. In our house, we have much for which to be thankful. We are most fortunate people.
I finish with a memory from last year's celebration in Raleigh.
Diverticulitis outburst. Raleigh E.R.
Fortunately, I recovered enough to get us home. It was a crappy ending to an otherwise great time with our kids.
I plan to give myself (and you) a break. I intend to spend Kath's week off, with her. I intend not to spend time writing. We will get back at it, when she goes back to her students.
Be back in a couple of weeks. Behave yourselves while I'm gone. I intend to get into enough mischief for all of us.
Love you. Have a memorable week. Hopefully with family and friends.
Thank you.
jrobinmullen@gmail.com
Love you too.. Have a great Thanksgiving..
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