Thursday, March 07, 2013

Stage the first...

Mohs surgery is done in stages, with the doctor trimming around the edge of the tumor and then examining the excised bit under a microscope to see if the edges are clear. (As it was explained to me, it's like slicing out a Reese's cup, flipping it over and squooshing it flat on a microscope slide to see if any chocolate is extruding through the cup; if there is, you go back and excise a larger scoop and repeat the process.)

We've just done the first scoop, a divot approximately the size of a nickel out of the side of my nose. I am now sitting in the waiting room, awaiting news of if they need to slice more.

I am less than happy right now.

32 comments:

Jay G said...

Thinking good thoughts and putting in good words with the Man Upstairs for you, Tam...

pax said...

Praying for you.



Robert said...

Hang in there. We're thinking of you.

Farm.Dad said...

Thanks for the update . We been thinking about ya today out here in the wastelands .

TinCan Assassin said...

Tell the doc to make sure he replaces his divots. It's the rules, you know.

Erin Palette said...

This ought to make you smile.

You'll be fine, Tam!

Anonymous said...

Be strong and don't hit him.

Gerry

BGMiller said...

Fried up a batch of nice sausages for Offler in your name. Even sprang for the good mustard.

Try not to hurt doc too much. They bill extra for that.


BGM

Baddog said...

Hi Tam, best wishes. I've had 2 of these surgeries and you wouldn't be able to see any scar if I didn't very precisly point it out. Dermatologist sewed them to fit my regular wrinkle lines.

~Katherine~ said...

Praying for you, and wishing you the very best. I suggest retail therapy of the book persuasion when the procedure is finally finished. :)

Aggie said...

Hang in there! We're prayin' for ya'.

Gene WA5AC
Aggie, Class of '70

libertyman said...

Thinking good thoughts and sending them your way.

rickn8or said...

What libertyman said.

By more people than you can imagine.

Sport Pilot said...

Hang in there Tam, once this is over you can go somewhere nice to have lunch. Besides, anyone who view's Erin's little ponies manning a fixed MG should still be horse laughing...

Keads said...

My thoughts and prayers Tam.

Justin said...

I'm imagining the dialogue...
Doctor: Have you analyzed the test results for patient Tam?
Technician: Yes...and her snark levels are unbelievably high! Take a look for yourself.
Doctor (peering into microscope): My God!

Crowndot said...

I've been sending all good thoughts and positive energy your direction, Tam.

Joel said...

Good luck, Tam. Thinking about you.

staghounds said...

Not dead. Not blind. Not in a wheelchair. Not drooling. All good news.

Bob Owens said...

Keeping you in my prayers, Tam.

Anonymous said...

better to get it all done at one time versus having to go back 3 wks later because they didn't take "enough"... we're with you in thought and spirit... hang tough

ProudHillbilly said...

You have options: http://proudhillbilly-hillbilly.blogspot.com/2013/03/for-tam.html

TheMinuteman said...

staghounds nailed it Tam. Sometimes it's hard to not think the world is crashing down on you. I've been on the wheel chair side of things... I was happy though because I wasn't dead and still breathing. Not to say that bastard in the black robes didn't try his damnedest.

You'll rock it like a boss, how do I know? Because your THE Tam, whose snark and awesomeness is unparalleled anywhere else.

Fuzzy Curmudgeon said...

Thinking good thoughts.

Anonymous said...

You know I had this done on my forehead. Half dollar sized!
And everything has healed and is hardly noticeable!
Don't fret.
Contact me if you want to talk.

gfa

Al T. said...

Hang in there!

Mark Alger said...

Standing in line at the weep locker, holding my prayer towel, waiting my turn to send good thoughts your way. I think we-all are convinced you'll kick this thing's weedy little ass just because you're you and you're teh awesome.

M

Murphy's Law said...

Sending the best prayers, wishes and thoughts your way.

Anonymous said...

Keeping fingers and toes crossed and hopes and concerns going....
JoeWarrant

Tango said...

Kneemails inbound, lady!

Anonymous said...

Best wishes and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Tam! You managed to upset my notions about Janis Joplin's music and my love ofReese's Cups -- all in a couple of sentences. Wow.

Despite that, here's hoping you're feeling better -- without the help of the Lidocaine.