At the end of last year my husband Paul had a strange mole/wart appear on the left side of his nose, quite close to his eye.  I made an appointment with the Doctor who thought it would be best for him to see a plastic surgeon because it was so close to the eye.  The GP seemed to think it was something harmless that had just popped up.  We made an appointment with a plastic surgeon in November but the morning of Paul's appointment, the surgeon was running late, Paul got impatient and left his rooms.  We happily go on holiday, have Christmas and New Year with family and friends, and when we get over the holiday period make another appointment with the surgeon - the first available appointment being 4th March.  On this date Paul attends the Surgeon's rooms where the growth is removed.  Pathology comes back showing the growth is a malignant melanoma (grade 4) which results in distraught wife, shocked husband, GP and Plastic Surgeon.  On the 29th March the surgeon removed a 2cm square of tissue from the side of Paul's nose and had to graft skin from behind his ear onto his face.  It looks quite horrific but the surgeon is very happy with it.  

For the next five years Paul is on 3 month check ups and the possibility of him developing cancer has increased dramatically.  

I think I have cried every day for the past month.  It really has make re-think my life and my priorities.  Things that I thought were so important a couple of months ago now seem so trivial.  

Just remember guys - your health is your wealth.  Don't let all the little things get you down.  Life's too short. :(

Jaytee

Although I don't know you (I feel like I do though  :)), I do know Paul, and I am sorry you have both had to go through this and have all the angst associated with it.

I am glad things seem to be on the look up for you both in one regard.....but note there is also another waiting game for you to play.... :-/

Please give Paul my best wishes okay ?  :)

I'm distressed to hear that extremely bad news, jaytee...

I can't agree with that last line of yours enough (everybody take note...), my sincerest best wishes to you both...

That's a real blow Janine. I'm so sorry to hear that. :(

My thoughts are with you and your family. :)

And yes, all the little things pale into insignificance when facing things such as this.....

Jaytee--

I am so sorry that you and your husband have to go through this. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

{{{HUGS}}}

Jaytee, I am so sorry to hear this news!  What a horrible thing for you and your family to have to go through!  :(

I will keep you close in my thoughts and pray that everything will be alright.  

HUGS!

Karen

Sowwy :'(  I hope everything works out.

I hope you feel better. :'( :(


Howard

Sorry. I hope things get better fast. :( :'(

I am very sorry to hear this terrible news, but I know what its like to enjoy one thing, and then 5 minutes later something terrible happens, and you could careless about your previous enjoyment.  :(

I hope you and your husband feel better soon, Jaytee.  :)

Jaytee, you and Paul are in my thoughts.  I know how scary the "c" word is.  My mom and hubby's step-grandma are battling it right now.  Good health to Paul.

Jaytee

I'm so sorry to hear about this, I'm sure that the shock and the waiting for news over the next 5 years will be really difficult for you both. All I can say from over here on the other side of the World is the old cliche that you've got to focus on the positive. I have a friend at work who about 10 years back went through a similar melanoma problem with two major excisions performed on his arm. He was OK, he's still in the clear now. I'm relaying this to you to reinforce that people DO get through this, and my prayers are with you both.

You're so right about the priorities of life. Tomorrow (Good Friday) is a Public Holiday in the UK, I was considering working though because I have a lot of deadlines to meet....but your post has reminded me that it's really not worth it. I'm going to spend the day with my wife and children.

Thank you all for your kind words.  It really does help to know that people care.  I really appreciate your concern.  :-* :)

You both have my best wishes, Jaytee...and I sincerely hope you both get through this alright...

Stay strong. You'll both make it through this. You must believe.

big <hugs> to you and Paul.

Its a scarey thing we Aussies like to pretend wont ever happen to us.  But our lifestyles in the 70's and 80's mean this is how we spend our years now - terrified by each and every mole that appears.

I had several cancerous moles removed from the back of my neck when I was 19.  It has meant that ever since then I have had to avoid the sun and get mole checks done at least yearly.  I get a bit slack about it and then things like this remind me to be more diligent about it.

I know you and Paul will support each other thru this stressful event.  My thoughts are with you both.

A suggestion from me - I really recommend the use of an Aloe Vera plant for the scar.  Just cut off a leaf, shave the gel with a potato peeler and put the shavings on the scar and just let them dry there.  Wrap the rest of the leaf in clingfilm and put in fridge for next use.  I did this every night on my neck and the scarring really reduced visibly.

My prayers are with you and your family in this time of need. :'( I hope your husband will recover soon.

Wow and I thought I was having a bad month......My thoughts are with you both.I don't mean this to sound in anyway patronising but I believe positive thinking is really important at times like this.

Hope you are feeling better. :'(


Howard