In June 2007, while getting out of my car, the corner edge of the door caught my right leg by the shin, leaving a small cut. It was no big deal, just a little 1/4" cut. When it healed, it developed into a sore "nipple" looking lump. I went to see my Dermatologist Dr. Robins for a biopsy and received the results within a week or so, that is was a Squamous Cell Cancer. I went through the MOHS procedure with Dr. Shvartzman in the same office and the spot that was originally the size of a dime was now larger than a silver dollar. I was told all the cancerous cells were removed and there is a 95% rate of success with the MOHS surgery. I was not suppose to walk, stand, climb stairs, drive, cook etc, so everything was pretty much off limits. I had to keep my leg elevated, wear a compression stocking and do nothing !! My bedroom is upstairs so I slept on the sofa for a week and getting to my bathroom about 10 feet away became an ordeal. On (March 3rd) I had to have the third surgery which consisted of removal of the tissue, a skin graft/flap from my abdomen and attaching it to my leg. I was watching the entire time. This has been the most painful experience of my life and I'm praying this will be the last procedure on my leg. I've had several people who have asked me why I would post such graphic pictures on a web page. Plain and simple....who would have thought a 1/4" little cut would cause all this. If you have a problem with this, I'm sorry. But keep an eye on all cuts or trauma to the skin as well as the other signs of skin issues. I didn't post this to gross anyone out, but instead I would like for it to be a learning experience for others. I feel the importance of sharing my experience, might help someone else who is faced with a suspicious spot. If you have a family member or friend with something that won't heal or looks suspicious, suggest that they contact a Dermatologist. A spot doesn't have to be ugly, dark or large. |
| August - Sept 6th 1st surgery |
| Click here to return to my web page FloppyJos |
| The day after the stitches and staples were removed. |
| My Right Leg and more... June 2007 - Present.... November 18, 2009 |
| Aug 2007 I made an appointment with Dr. Robins and he took a biopsy. I went back on Sept 5th with a black scab. |
| Sept 6th - MOHS Surgery The results are in and I had the surgery. All the red spots around the wound are from the numbing injections. The Dr. had to make a larger incision in order to close it. You can tell how much was removed by the two freckles . |
| Jan 4th Pictures of before and after biopsy. My Dr. was very surprised that it returned. I've had no feeling on the right hand side of my leg since the original MOHS surgery. The left side is extremely painful everyday (all day) and I'm not a wuss. He told me he was positive I would have to have the MOHS again when the results come back. |
| January 2008 - 2nd Surgery |
| Jan 29th - Tuesday Opened, stitched, stapled and super glued. Because my skin was thin to begin with even before the first surgery and after this, I hardly have anything left to pull together. It was a challenge. Maybe the Super Glue will be just that super and do the job. You can't tell from the picture but it looks like a double humped Camel's back after the surgery. |
| Jan 30th - Wednesday 24 hours after the surgery and I've got swelling. I do not have fat legs but it sure looks like it here. I was told to unwrap it and reapply a smaller bandage wrap and to wear the compression stocking. Oh yeah...there's pain, pain and more pain. I've always been afraid to take pain pills but I'm taking them now every 4-5 hours. |
| Feb 1st Unwrapped...Happy..happy...Still very swollen but feels so much better. I can walk around the house being careful not to bump into anything or Ripley who is following me. I can get it wet today and the super glue is working. I am still wearing a bumper guard and a stocking but that's just fine with me! |
| Where it was stitched, stapled and super glued has opened up. The two white spots/lumps at the top and bottom have to be removed. To the Dr. I go .. |
| Healing from 2nd Surgery |
| Mar 3rd was the worse day ever. I went in thinking they would clean it out and put in a few stitches. That didn't happen. The Dr. told me I needed more surgery and I said next week? He said "no..right now". I wound up spending 8 hours there and went through three procedures. The biggest area to date was removed. A large skin flap was taken from my stomach and then attached to my leg. I decided not to attach the pic of my donor site (my abdomen) . |
| March 3, 2008 - 3rd Surgery |
| Jan 18th Biopsy results are in. I'll have the surgery again on Tuesday, Jan 29th. |
| Mar 10th - followup visit |
| Nurse Mary took off the bandages and exposed the package that was sewn to my leg . They had stitched it to me after the skin graft was securely sewn on. Mary and Dr. Espinoza cleaned it and invited me back next Monday, Mar 17th. |
| Dr. Espinoza |
| March 17th Had Dr's appt to take stitches out but couldn't do it today so I have to come back on March 28th. It's been three weeks, there is pain on both my leg and abdomen but...it will pass. It's difficult for me to do anything but I am decorating flip flops when I can or...feel up to it. |
| March 31st Taken before my appointment this morning as a followup and the incision on my abdomen opened up over the weekend. It's in the fold of my groin and has been more difficult to take care of compared to my leg. Nurses Mary and Bonnie assisted Dr. Shvartzman and Dr. Espinoza. They were all working on me at the same time cleaning up both sites. |
| Mary |
| Donna, Mary and Dr. Espinoza, |
| April 8th I went in at 9:00 yesterday (Monday) for the usual cleaning and removal of dead tissue on both my leg and abdomen. I had a four man crew working on me. Dr. Shvartzman on my leg, Dr. Espinoza on my abdomen and two nurses assisting. After eight months of this, I still have a great attitude but I am completely worn out. My leg is improving and the open wound on my abdomen is healing. I told Dr. Shvartzman I had a little sore spot in the center of my chest and partially on my left breast. He looked at it and decided to remove it immediately. We went straight to the MOHS procedure which I wasn't expecting, but thankfully, he got it all with the first procedure. Dr. Espinoza came in to close it up. Of course she had to make the incision larger in order to close it. For such a tiny little lady, she has the strength of Hercules. She was pulling on my boob and I can only say that after she was finished, I felt like I was hit by a baseball bat. It's Tuesday, I tried sleeping today and the phone was ringing like crazy. I am beginning to hate the phone...I need some rest and recovery time. I've learned to deal with some of the pain, but today....it's getting the best of me. |
| April 14th My leg after it was cleaned today. I did not want to go in at 9:30 for the usual cleaning of the wounds but the entire, wonderful staff makes it as pleasant as possible. It's interesting how they work as a team. Dr. Shvartzman performs all the MOHS procedures and Dr. Espinoza does all the stitching up. He was cleaning my leg, she was cleaning my other wounds and the nurses are keeping me amused while assisting the doctors. The other reason I didn't want to go in was because of the crusty thing I now have had on my left hand for several weeks. I made a promise to my son Scott, that I would have it taken care of. I had the MOHS procedure and it isn't as painful as the others have been. The leg is healing nicely, the abdomen is still open but healing, the breast incision was re-glued, my hand is OK and I feel pretty good. |
| April 16th The Dr's office called me at 4:00 and told me I have a uncommon infection called Klebsiella Pneumoniae. They are calling in a prescription for Cipro that I'll pick up tomorrow. |
| April 22nd I had my appointment this morning and my leg is better, my abdomen is still open but better, my hand and breast are healing and I don't have to go back for two weeks. The past eight months have taken my energy levels to zero but I've only been able to sleep an hour or two at a time, but I'm getting better every day. It's a blessing not to have intense pain that comes and goes like a flickering light. Today I feel renewed and refreshed. Thanks for the well wishes and kind thoughts. |
| May 27th I had my appointment and while there, became ill. I haven't been feeling well and had to lay down. I tole one of the nurses and they immediately made me comfortable. Several minutes later Dr. Shvartzman came in and looked at my chest, abdomen and leg. He said I needed immediate surgery on the leg and I almost broke down. Not because of the leg but because I felt so ill, I knew I couldn't endure it all at the same time. He told me he wasn't letting me leave until we had a date and expressed his real concerns for immediate surgery. I agreed to Monday, June 2nd and for the first time, I'm scared. I wouldn't be if I felt better but the normally super strong "me" is wearing and slowing down. My son Scott is coming from San Antonio to be with me. |
| 4th Surgery June 2, 2008 I went in for the one crusty lump but had four biopsies taken. I then went outside on the veranda with Scott and we waited two hours for the results. Three of them were fine but the crusty one wasn't. Dr. Espinoza then took the circle and did her usual elongation of the wound and removed scar tissue so she could sew it up. It could have been much worse if the skin flap would have been violated with extensive removal. After laying on the table for re injection of "stuff" to deaden the area, I wanted to sit up and watch. I was clutching the metal plate while she was taking care of the bleeding with the cauterization thing. Ralston, the Dr. and I were joking around and Scott was white as a sheet. It was a little too much for him but we are thrilled that it wasn't an extensive surgery this time. Prayers are always answered. |
| June 19th I'm doing really well..!! The incision is at the top right hand corner and the three other spots are where biopsies were taken. I'm going back on June 31st |
| Dr. Espinoza, Scott and Ralston |
| Dr. Leonard Shvartzman, MD He always says "Hi Honey" and I've told him when he's hurting me that I love him ! |
| Dr. Douglas N. Robins, MD |
| June 29th I go in tomorrow for a follow up visit. There is a new inflamed lump at the top of the previous incision. |
| June 30th I went in for the follow up to my last surgery. The red lump at the top of the scab was actually where some stitches weren't showing and had become infected. Dr. Schvartzman lanced it with no numbing injections and squeezed it until it was "empty". I let out a few choice words. Joshua, one of the nurses then deadened two areas for biopsies. The white crusty lump at the top left hand corner and one in the center of the transplanted skin flap. Dr. Schvartzman also injected some type of steroid into my left breast scar tissue to help eliminate the lumping that has occurred. They let me go home today instead of waiting hours for the biopsy to come back. I have another appointment in two weeks for the results. |
| 5th Surgery....I think ? Usually the round wound is cut and elongated so it can be stitched up. Evidently, I'm having a problem with stitches. The Dr. decided that we will leave the wounds open (without stitches) because I seem to heal better. So, each time he removes a new absess, he digs deep, leaves it open and wraps it up. I look like I have bullet holes. |
| July 14th I spent 9.5 hours at the Dr.s Office today. My right leg was "cleaned" and it was very painful. I was not going to tell the Dr. about a small thing on my left leg. It was on the back of my thigh and I really wanted to wait until another day. I had lots of things I needed to get done. Well, I told him anyway and a biopsy was done. They applied a compression bandage to both legs but when I started to sit up, there was something wet on my left leg. I felt it and my hand was covered with blood. So were my Capri's and the examining table. My neighbor Karen who goes with me just to get out of the house had blood on her as well. Latoya, the nurse started cleaning my clothes with peroxide and then rebandaged my left thigh. Both legs were bandaged and I decided I needed some lunch. The numbing shots were still in effect and I wanted to leave for a while. When we returned about an hour later, I took my seat with all the other people and waited for my turn to be cleaned again and stitched up. I don't have a picture of my thigh, because I can't see it. I'm on super antibotiocs and took a pain pill when I got home. There's always a period that I don't feel like doing anything but sleeping, if I can. |
| May 3rd It got a lot larger than the last picture and I now have a hole in my chest the size of the red area above and it is still draining. I called the office and told them and was advised that I should continue using a syringe with saline solution to clean the area 3 times a day. I was told they are going to let it heal as is and we could do something for the scarring later. Actually, I'm not concerned with scars but instead the fact that is appears to be infected. I have an appointment on May 27th for a followup on my leg, abdomen, hand and chest. |
| April 26th You know how anything that is healing itches? Well, last night the area on my chest was itching like crazy so I was rubbing it with the palm of my hand. I remembered that Dr. Espinoza said I should massage the area to help with the lumps that had developed. I started massaging it with a flat palm and got a call from a friend, so I stopped. After several minutes of talking to her I felt something wet on my chest. The entire front of my Cami was soaked. I told her to hold on and went to the bathroom and I grabbed some Kleenex to clean up the area. I had the MOHS surgery on April 8th to remove the small spot, the stitches healed, but it has developed a hole that is secreting a mucus and slightly bloody discharge. I called the after hours Nurse and I have an appointment on Monday. I thought that they would perform another MOHS, but they didn't. Instead, it was cleaned and bandaged. A swab sample was taken and it came back "OK". |
| August 15th Yesterday was my follow up to July 14th's appointment. I had two different accidental hits on different days to my leg while sitting at my desk working. I swore, cried, and thought I would pass out. I told the nurse when she came in and pointed out another crusty lump on my left hand that was operated on April 14th. Evidently I have a problem healing on the inside. The surface will appear to be OK, then the wound opens up. That's what happened to my left thigh last night. They cleaned it and bandaged it up. Then, I had three biopsies taken, two from my right leg and one from my hand. After waiting several hours, the results were in. I went through two more MOHS procedures on my leg and one was squamous and another one on my hand which was also squamous again. My leg wound was left open to heal. My hand wound had to be elongated so it could be sewn up. |
| August 19th healing... |
| Sept 6th This is the wound from the MOHS procedure on Aug 15th. They decided not to make an elongated incision and stitch, staple and glue it. Instead it was left open so it could heal from the inside out. I clean it twice a day and have daily bouts of pain everywhere except the actual site. I have an appointment on Monday Sept 8th and hope they don't have to do another MOHS surgery. Just cleaning it and opening the little pimple like things with a razor blade is bad enough My son Scott sent me 2 different styles of shin guards and the one above is lightweight and comfortable. I'm in the process of decorating it to look more feminine. |
| Sept 8th The beautiful nurse, Carlene applying the bandage after the Dr. cleaned up the site and put me on Cipro for two weeks. |
| Sept 12th For the first time, I called the surgical Nurse (Terry) who is on duty after hours.. I am having pain in my leg and have been for several weeks only it's gotten extreme. She suggested a combination vinegar and water solution applied with cotton balls. She also called in a prescription for pain that I will pick up tomorrow. The skin graft area has risen and is very swollen. The area around the open wound is becoming crusty and hard. The pain shoots down my leg and all I do is curse...damn..damn. It's constant, I can't even think straight. |
| Sept 22nd Surgery... I've lost count of how many MOHS procedures I've had. Looks like bullet wounds, doesn't it?? |
| LaToya, Josh and Mary are pictured below. Josh assisted the Dr. while LaToya, Mary, Bonnie and Ralston stopped in to say hello today. They are the greatest staff and always check to see how I'm doing. I had three biopsies and waited for the results. Two came back as squamous. I had the MOHS procedure and again it was decided not to make long incisions to stitch up the wounds, and I was so thankful!!! The wounds are just on top of the skin flat and my worse fear is that I will need another skin flap at some time. |
| Mary was taking pictures of herself and me. I think she was trying to divert my attention. I love the staff and think they love me because of the bagels and donuts I've brought them. |
| I arrived at the office at 9:15 and left at 1:45. |
| December 29, 2008 I went in for the usual (every 2 week visit) and the sites are healing. The area on the back of my left thigh isn't doing as well. |
| January 12. 2009 I went into the office, happy and thinking I was well on my way to healing and the appointment wouldn't take long.....?? I was there from 9:00 am and left at 2:30 pm. There were two suspicious areas that were biopsied. I waited for the results and they were once again Squamous Cell Cancer. Now they are appearing as a boil like pimple or abscess that is very painful to the touch. We don't know what's causing it. My leg has been through so much, that my skin is nothing but dry and flaky. They performed another MOHS procedure and instead of elongating and then stitching it up, it was again decided to leave it alone and let it heal naturally. This is a result of having problems healing when stitches are involved. They also worked on the back of my left thigh where there were 6 small abscesses. |
| December 16, 2008 First he draws the circles....then he does his thing. I really love Dr. Shvartzman and his dry sense of humor. |
| January 26, 2009 Tough morning. 9:00 - 1:00 Had to have 3 areas bioposied and the hard lump on my left hand had to be opened. About 6 months ago I had a MOHS surgery on my hand and it has been really bothering me. It always felt like there was a needle in my hand and I thought maybe it was left over stitches. Injections were difficult because of all the scar tissue. Mary was using both hands to try and inject my leg but there isn't any soft tissue left. She deadened it eventually and the Dr. removed the suspicious spots and cleaned out the wounds that were still healing from last time. They removed a hard cyst that was under the scar tissue on my hand. He really took me to new heights, because of the depth. It bothers me to hear the crunching sounds as he's cleaning but I can watch him doing his thing with no problems. Left thigh is finally healing...WooHoo!! |
| WARNING... Contains graphic pictures |
| February 2009 I've been going to appointments every 2 - 2 1/2 weeks for a long time now. We keep having issues with new absesses that appear in areas surrounding all the wounds. The Dr. cuts and cleans the new spots and the thing that bothers me the most....are the injections. I've never had an issue with needles but because of all the scar tissue, the Nurses can't inject the numbing medication. Mary was using both thumbs on the syringe to try and force it in. I don't have any soft tissue on my shin to use. I have an appointment tomorrow, March 10th and I'm sure I will have three areas sliced, diced and cleaned. I am physically very tired.....and hopeful that soon....I can say so long to the staff that I've grown close to. |
| March - May 2009 March 10th, and March 24th. Every two weeks, the same thing. I refer to it as "slice and dice" and my leg is really ugly. I'm not ashamed of my right leg nor am I vain. I just want the pain to end so I can get on with life. My son wants me to visit him in Texas but I'm afraid of the swelling etc., that can occur when flying. Tuesday at the clinic, everyone stopped in to say hello and we shared hugs. The staff is so wonderful and my Dr. is awesome. I've made monthly visits and in May, was declared cancer free of the right leg. |
| September 2nd, 2009 Update In May I was so happy that my right leg was cancer free, because it was a 1-1/2 year battle, I put off several health issues to concentrate on my leg. So I finally got around to cataract surgery on my left eye in May and surgery on my right eye in August and have to wait for it to heal. On Wednesday September 2nd, I called the Derma Dr. yesterday and told them I needed the first available appointment which is tomorrow (Sept 4th) at noon. I have a raised "thing" just like I had on my right let, only this one.........is on my left leg, just above the ankle. I'm not worried about it however, I'm ready to get these issues behind me so I can just look forward to simple everyday things. |
| Sept. 3, 2009 - 11:30 am My best friend, Audree went with me, so we could entertain ourselves with less than serious discussions. Ralston numbed my leg, gave me some antibiotics and we waited for Dr. S. A biopsy was taken, then we waited about 1 1/2 hours on the wrap-around porch until they paged me. We went back upstairs to have the MOHS procedure and again went back to the serene, outside seating area. Carlene the nurse came out to get me around 3:30 and said we were through. |
| This was the biopsy |
| I'm very lucky to have this best friend (Audree) of 20+ years. I met her when I was dating her brother in the 80's. We each had career paths that led us in different directions and her phone # was unlisted. We lost touch and re-connected when we ran into each other at the post office. My son lives in Texas and Audree has been my tower of strength, taking me for Dr's appointments for eye surgeries, sharing laughs, lunch and acting absolutely silly. Friends are a good thing...! |
| December 9, 2009 It was doing pretty good but past 1 1/2 weeks after cleaning with vinegar and water, applying antibotic cream etc, it's infected . Going in today for scraping and cleaning....OUCH |
| November 18, 2009 Well, I thought I was pretty much through with the "things" that keep popping up. The site on my left ankle has been trying to heal for 3 months. It formed a very painful lumpy thing and I couldn't sleep at night because of it. I have always slept on my left side and if it touched anything I was instantly awake. The site on the back of my left thigh was also "not right" but it didn't bother me as much. Today, the beautiful and pregnant Carlene was my nurse. Dr. Shvartzman came in, talked to me, looked at my leg and got his marking pen out. Biopsy time...!! I was very surprised at the size of area that was removed from my ankle. I can't see the site on the back of my thigh, but I'm sure it was a lot smaller. That area is usually a large absess. The results came back and the ankle was indeed Squamous. The thigh was benign this time, just ugly and sore. I have mentioned before that my body does not tolerate stitches or staples as shown in the March surgery above. Instead, the wound is left open. I have to use vinegar and water to clean it four times a day AND I am suppose to scrub it out. I'm not looking for a "pity party"...but...I must say,,,,I am thankful it's not worse, but really tired of it all. I made something for Dr. Shvartzman (who loves anything chocolate) and the staff, |