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| 2016 |
Seven years ago during the month of September my graft was my biggest worry. The passage of time has helped the unpleasant memories fade. My face ages and the scar softens gradually with each passing year. I'm grateful for all the supportive comments and input I've received from readers. Thank you.
You look absolutely radiant and your scar isn't even noticeable anymore! So is there still improvement every year at this late stage? That's encouraging!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Your comment made my day. As far as improvement, I'd say the area has gotten softer and started to feel more like part of my facial skin with each passing year. Or maybe it's just that I've become accustomed to seeing and feeling it for so long.
Deletecan u please tell me how many scar revision treatment have you undergone from 2009 to 2016?
ReplyDeleteHello,l I had one scar revision. It was to help smooth a raised ridge of scar tissue on the edge of the graft beside my nose.
Deletei have a similar skin graft scar near my left eye from an bike accident..its been 1 yr 3 months but its still very crusty and pale...i have my scar revision treatment in coming month...can u adivise me anything that might help me? i will be very thnakfull to you if u do so...and also i want to know that do doctors use laser for it? eagerly waiting for your reply
ReplyDeleteI have not had laser treatments but I've heard that it works for some people. Scar massage was very helpful to me--I was advised to massage the scar tissue daily to keep it soft. I don't do that any more, but the first year I did it frequently with my fingertips. I had one small scar revision a couple of years after the graft surgery. The scar is still there and is shiny, but it has blended with my skin fairly well. Makeup helps hide it.
Deletethank you so much for your reply..i assumed that you have had laser treatment..but thank god you look like this without any of it..your recovery is awesome ..i m looking forward for my laser treatment..hope that it goes fine
Deletei have been reading your blog from last three days..its motivating me to stop worrying about my scar..hope that even i get similar results as u have acheived...by the way its doestnt seem like u still have that scar
ReplyDeleteI hi have enjoyed seeing your progress and it gives me hope. I was diagnosed with melanoma in situ on my right nostril before Christmas this year and have just underwent surgery with a full skin graft. Sitting here with my bolster in place and praying they get clean margins on what they removed. Surgery was two days ago. Has been very traumatic for me as well. Thinking why couldn't it just be somewhere besides my face. Plan on hiding out till they remove the bolster next week. Surgeon says I need to sleep in a recliner and keep my face elevated. I didn't realize a skin graft was so fragile. No bending over and seems like a lot of restrictions. Hard not to get depressed with this. You look beautiful and yours is hardly noticeable now which gives me hope. Thanks for listening and any advice appreciated. Sincerely Jane Henry
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. I feel like I'm right there with you; it all sounds so familiar. I remember bending forward and wishing I hadn't a few times. I slept elevated a couple of nights also. Yes grafts are fragile. My advice would be to eat healthy (fruits, vegetables, fish, protein) and drink plenty of water to help with healing. Later on, when the doctor says it has healed enough in coming weeks, start massaging the scar tissue to keep it from getting rigid - that's the best advice I received. Be sure you get the "ok" from your doctor before you start massaging, because you really need to press the area firmly every day. Pure argan oil is good for that too. Sorry you have to go through this. I wish you all the best.
DeleteWow! Looking great, Quiet One! It's been awhile but I thought I'd come on your site and say HELLO! I have to say that scars do eventually heal especially if you take very good care of them. I have a BCC scar on the left side of my nose (I think I told you about it once) and it is about seven years old now. It definitely has improved! I did have a slight scar revision on it but I truly believe it has a lot to do with care. I still, to this day, massage it, use oils and deep moisterizing creams, and scar gels. I probably will continue to do so for the rest of my life because it keeps getting better and better so I must be doing something right! HA! Yours is looking AMAZING and it looks like you take really good care of it. I do hope both of us continue to stay Skin Cancer free. When I was just about to reach my Five Year Mark of being Skin Cancer free they found another BCC on my back. It has now left a big white circle scar. It's kinda hard to take care of this scar like I do with the one on the side of my nose but my husband helps out a lot. I never complain about seeing my Dermie every three months for full body checks. I allow them to keep burning and taking things off of me constantly because they are all pre cancerous. I hate MOH's surgery to begin with so let 'em take 'em! I think it's wonderful and sweet that you answer all your comments. What a darling you are! Good person, Good results! Here's to a very Happy New Year and to good results! Take good care!
ReplyDeleteThank you! So kind of you to write. I just had another full body screening Monday, and my husband did also. I was relieved that nothing needed to be done this time. Must be difficult to take care of the place on your back, but it's sweet that your husband is so willing to help. Thanks again and best regards!
DeleteI am 5 weeks after mohs surgery for a nodular bcc on the side of my nose. My skin graft looks terrible. White, raised at the edges and indented in the middle. I'm so depressed and scared. Your journey has given me some hope that things will improve. It is a hard road to travel
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing. I'm sorry you're going through this. Believe me, it will improve, but I know it feels like "slow motion healing" ... mainly because it's located on the face, and there isn't the option to keep it hidden from view while going through the healing process. It'll look rough at first, but in time will calm down and become much less noticeable. Skin can do incredible things! Thank you for taking the time to let me know I've given you some hope. Take care.
Deletethanks for your encouragement. It is very hard having to be out in public and at work and feel so self-conscious. I know it is better to have the cancer gone but they really don't prepare you for the psychological stress that follows after the surgery. Plus - it is a very slow healing process. What types of scar creams did you use, if any?
DeleteThe first year I used silicone scar pads while sleeping. I used Palmer's Shea Butter sometimes. But the best advice I received was from a friend who recommended pure 100% Argan Oil, which I still often apply before bed (comes in a glass bottle with dropper - a couple of drops goes a long way). I agree, I wasn't prepared for the psychological distress either. I just heard today that actor Hugh Jackman had a 6th cancer removed from his nose, and he posted a selfie showing his bandaged nose. He's spreading awareness, and that's what we also did in our own small way. People who see what you're going through may be more likely to visit a dermatologist, or start applying sunscreen more often.
DeleteThank you for your posts so much. I just had a biopsy done on what I thought was a wound that wouldn't close (initially came from running with sunglasses on). Doc says it may "leave a large defect" and am eagerly awaiting biopsy results and a referral to a specialist. I'm an ER nurse and I am scared as heck after looking up morpheaform skin cancer. It "icebergs".
ReplyDeleteYour website gives me hope, so much needed at this point while I am in limbo waiting to have this removed.
So thank you, and everyone who posts, for all of your time and words.
I am 45 and absolutely wrecked with what it could mean, and doing my best to remain calm until I know the plan for sure.
Cari, I truly appreciate your note. Being in limbo waiting to hear results is so stressful! I learned something new today from you - I hadn't heard of this type of skin cancer. I know how hard it is to remain calm at a time like this. I wish you the best. Try to stay positive about the outcome and don't let your mind wander into all the possibilities (easier said than done). I'm glad this gave you some hope. Thank you.
DeleteI made it thru! Surgery was Monday. I had about a quarter-sized defect that was repaired by an excellent surgeon using a flap/graft from my other nose skin.
DeleteSo happy to be on the other side....now all I have to do is heal, and I think it should be relatively unnoticeable.
Good luck to all...thank you for giving me some peace thru my struggle.
Thank you for the update! Glad to hear it's behind you now--what a relief! So nice to know you found some peace through this blog. Feel free to post an update any time, as it may help future readers. Thanks!
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