MOHS Surgery October 8, 2025

 My MOHS surgery happened Wednesday.  In this surgery a layer of skin is removed and then examined.  If any cancer remains then another layer is removed.  I had two layers removed in a circle on my cheek about the size of a nickel.  The second layer wasn't as big as there was only cancer in a corner.  My skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma.  I understand this type is sometimes deeper.  They then closed it with stitches, telling me they pinched it into a line.  I read the MD notes which said the put in nine stitches, four underneath and then five on the surface.  Looking at the picture it looks more like 20 stitches on top.  I know it took them a long time to sew it all up.  

temporary bandage

final bandage

After 48 hours I was told I could change the bandage.  These pictures are from that change of bandage.  The original bandage was tight, to prevent bleeding after the catheterized some blood vessels.  Now the bandage is more to hold the aquaphor against the wound.  Aquaphor will promote healing.  

Follow-up on the Sore on My Face: Squamous Cell Carcinoma

 Turns out the sore was skin cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  I am now scheduled for a MOHS procedure next month.  They said this will entail peeling off one layer of skin at a tme until the get to where there are no more cancer cells.  It again will be done with a local anesthesia so I will be awake during the procedure.  They said not to do anything for a couple days after while it heals.  I will have a big bandage on my face.  Also should take it easy for several days after the surgery.  

Here is the AI overview:

Yes, Mohs surgery is considered a type of surgery. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Mohs surgery involves removing thin layers of tissue and examining them under a microscope to ensure that all cancerous cells have been removed. It is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. 

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is considered more dangerous than basal cell carcinoma (BCC) because it has a higher chance of spreading to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes and organs, if left untreated. While both are common types of skin cancer, SCC has the potential to grow into deeper skin layers, leading to disfigurement and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications. However, both types of cancer are often curable when caught and treated in their early stages. 

Hopefully I have caught this early enough that ther should be no problem.

Boys Town: Challenges for the Youth They See

 This lesson is from the Hall of History at Boys Town.  It points out the problems of youth can be complex and involve a host of related issues.  

Caring for children: five main challenges for youth who come to Boys Town

Carving of the Face for a Sore

First experience for me yesterday.  I had a sore removed from my face to be studied for cancer.  I had a sore that would not heal of probably at least a years duration.  Lidocaine works very well.  They said there would be a small sting as they injected it.  It was much more than a small sting.  IUt really hurt.  But after it started working I didn't feel a thing.  Especially when they were cutting it off, I did n't feel a thing.

Labwork says  Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  I got the lab from the One Health lab and haven't talk to the MD yet.  They did cut it off but said I may have to come back for more cutting if it was cancerous.  Symptoms include an open sore which doesn't heal which describes the thing I had on my face.  It was also sensitive to touch.

I also had a large tag from the back of my leg.  It was also tested but no cancer in it.  

Positive Thinking Book: Silver Boxes

Silver Boxes: The Gift of Encouragement by Florence Littauer, Word Publishing, Dallas, 1989. 

This is a fascinating book about treating others with kindness.  What she says is that our "words should be like silver boxes with bows on top."  That is the basic philosophy.  She adds a personality assessment, to give some warning that we are not all the same, and sometimes, with our different natures, we may offend someone without realizing it.  She talks of four personality types:
Sanguine the popular person, Choleric the powerful person, Melancholy the perfect person and Phlegmatic the peaceful person.  We can have strengths and or weaknesses in these areas.  All personality types are important.  There are some who have a combination.  We are all unique. 

Silver Boxes was put into a poem for this book.  The poem summarizes the theme.

Updated Post: Ten ideas for fitness from Everyday Health

 http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-fitness-pictures/10-everyday-tips-for-diet-and-fitness.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthManagingDiabetes_20140524#/slide-1

Ten ideas for fitness (I am not very fit but would like to be) from Everyday Health.  I originally wrote this in 2014 and it is time to return
1) Exercise at the right time of day for you.  I am not sure when that would be.  One thing I noticed just Friday.  When I walk to the light rail station after work (about a mile) rather than take the bus, my blood sugar is 20 points lower in the evening.  However other than that, It is hard to squeeze in exercise.  However, I should take an after dinner walk.  Two times around the park would be about another mile, and maybe that would put me over the top.

I am now retired and don't walk to the light rail.  My blood sugar is generally under control.  This is due mostly to medication rather than my exercising and eating better.  I exercise rarely due to sciatica.  However most of the time it doesn't bother me, yet I still don't exercise.  It is a habit I got when the sciatica was worse.
2) Develop a fitness plan.  This section suggests someone at a gym, or a personal trainer.  However, I have never done that.  The key here is knowing your aim, your goal for fitness.  I have my very clearly in my mind, to get below 200 lbs.  However, the steps are lacking.

I did go to the gym and develop a fitness plan with lots of stretches for locked shoulder and sciatica.  However I have not been to the gym for a couple years and is something I need to correct.  The ony days I get lots of steps is when I go to the temple all day.
3) Find a favorite exercise.  My favorite is basketball.  However I have not played much since developing locked shoulder.  However it is probably time to take it up again.  The issue, just shooting does not make you work very hard.

We have a hoop outside, yet I don't even go out to shoot.
4) Vary your exercise.  It suggests aerobic one day, then weight training then Pilates or Yoga, and then a day off.  I could handle that, with slow walking daily, but more than two days a week maybe.  However I need to find some method of strength training.  Instead of Yoga or Pilates, I could do stretching.  My mobility is so poor I need to do something.

Physical therapist suggested stretches which I do if I start feeling a twinge in my sciatica.  Physical therapist also suggested exercises for sgtrengthening the core, which I don't do but need to do.
5) Exercise with a friend.  Miranda walked with me a couple times, and maybe she could be a walking partner again.

 I often suggest walking in the evening but no one goes so I don't either.  
6) Enjoy easy snacks.  By this they want you to avoid processed snacks, but fruit, nuts, yogurt or turkey are recommended items I like. 

I am conscious of this but my snack too often include cookies and ice cream.  I also include nuts on occasion.
7) Factor in fluids.  Especially water.  Avoid caffeine.  Watered down Gatorade is OK if you need to replace electrolytes.

I am good at drinking water.  Two water bottles full a day.
8) Skip the soda.  Soda is bad.  Bad for you teeth, your bones, your insides and your out.  Even diet soda is bad.  I have a root beer occasionally, but don't usually drink soda. 

I usually have water, sometimes I add a sugar free flavor packet.
9) Cook more than you eat.  Having leftovers the next day will help avoid fast food, to come home to something you can just pop in the micro wave but is nutritious and delicious.

I am the best in the family at eating leftovers.
10) Get active after eating.  A light workout is recommended.  Since I eat late, this goes in with the walking around the park.

Currently I do not exercise after eating.  This is a place for change.

Book Review: Storms of Perfection by Andy Andrews

 Storms of Perfection: In Their Own Words by Andy Andrews, Lightning Crown Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1991.

Sheri and I were introduced to Andy Andrews and this book at an Amway conference.  He is a very funny guy and tells some motivational stories.  The premise of the book is that 50 successful people were asked to send a letter about their greatest problem or rejection in becoming successful.  The letters were then included in this book.  50 people from all walks of life--entertainers, athletes, gymnasts, entrepreneurs,  spelling bee champion submitted letters that were put directly in the book.  Published in 1991 some have now passed on.  Some you would recognize, Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Bart Starr, Kenny Rogers, Orville Redenbacher. Others are more obscure.  SOme of the stories you would expect, while others are unexpected

Mr. Andrews introduces the book with a story.  His father had taken him to the woods for a hike.  Everything was dry, too dry.  Then a sudden storm, a downpour.  It was frightful with wind and lightning. However after the whole scene had changed.  There was water in the pond, water for green plants, birds were singing.  His father explained "In fact son, all of us are better off now than we were and hour ago.  Just because of the storm.  What looked like the worse--turned out to be the best.  It was a storm of Perfection." 

This story makes this book priceless, along with the stories told.