LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS PERFECT!

 

Basil Cell Carcinoma……. Words that one never wants to hear……..but, I heard them two weeks ago!  My dermatologist has been watching a spot on my upper lip for a while now and after taking a biopsy confirmed my worst fears.  Of course it’s treatable but why now, and will my treatments be finished in time for me to still go on our cruise?  And how will I look?  I must admit I do have a twinge of vanity - maybe more than a twinge??  One week later, I had a deep, quarter size segment removed from my upper lip and part of my lip.  Then the next day to the hospital to be stitched back together by a plastic surgeon.  He had to reconstruct my lip and tried to convince me that in time, after my scars heal that I would look completely normal.

I have been in total disbelief, in pain, depressed, grumpy and very self-conscious of my appearance.  It’s been a week and a half and I am now doing massage therapy on my incisions.  The bruising is disappearing and the swelling is going down.  My attitude is also changing and I am becoming more convinced that I will look normal again, that I just need to be patient.  I know that people will stare at me and make me feel uncomfortable, but I have to just not care about that.  I plan on enjoying the sites and cultural activities on our Around the World adventure!

Planning this “perfect” trip comes with some “not so perfect” elements but in retrospect, I remind myself that all the cancer was removed and for that I am thankful.  Thankful that we caught it early and that a good plastic surgeon put me back together. Thankful for the nice cosmetic consultant who helped me to find the perfect concealer and gave me some great advice:  turn my head to my “good side” when taking selfies!