Over the past several months I have been diagnosed with skin cancer, two different basal cells on my nose and one on my back. I am an active, sporty 35, redhead and freckled, but until now never knew anything about skin cancer, thought it would never happen to me.
I've had one Mohs surgery on the left side of my nose, removed the cancer and had a skin graft to reconstruct and am scheduled for the right side of my nose on Monday.
Thought I was almost done and ready to get back to life and then a trip to my dermatologist now shows cancer cells on my lip. She said the surgery would be much more painful and unsightly, and she wanted me to use Carac cream on my upper and lower lips, as well as the area just under my lip.
I started once a day applying at nightime, last night was my first dose. I've seen pictures and am scared as heck to go through this process. Not only the pain, however the appearance as well. I work in a large corporate environment and am not looking forward to going to work looking like this.
I'm guessing I'll have to drink through straws for awhile. How is is to eat? If my lips look like the pictures I've seen, I would think that would be a tough feat. As well as brushing my teeth. Is it okay once they're swelled and cracked and raw to get wet while showering?
I'm looking for any info from anyone who has been through this process that could help ease my worries as well as any tips on how to make this process a little simpler and not so painful. I'm open to any suggestions.
Thanks!