Such a long day

[Libby Pritchett]

My dad had surgery today for his skin cancer. This is my public service announcement... if you have a suspicious spot, get it checked out. And if you don't like the answer, get a 2nd opinion. Don't put it off.

My dad has had a few basal cell carcinomas removed over the years. He had one spot on his nose (about the size of a dime) that he's been asking his dermatologist about for 6 years. Well, his family doctor (new guy) insisted that he go for a 2nd opinion last month because he didn't like the look of it.

So today he went in for very extensive surgery to remove it. When if the idiot dr had caught it sooner, it wouldn't have been nearly this serious.

He had the Mohs surgery first (they ended up calling him back twice in order to get it all). And they removed a HUGE section from his nose... it was from the corner of his eye all down one side his nose, over the bridge of his nose, and onto his cheek a little. And it wasn't just just scraped off... there was no skin at all left. We saw innards.

Then he went on to the reconstructive surgery. Thankfully, it wasn't to his bone as they thought it might be, so they were able to just do the skin graft. They removed a huge section of skin from his forehead and then pulled it TIGHT to staple it up (the section was nearly 2" wide so you can imagine how tight they had to pull the skin to close it back up -- and it went all the way up to his hairline). Then the skin from his forehead was kinda piled into his nose so that it can attach and regrow the skin there. It'll stay that way for 3 weeks when he'll go back for another surgery to complete the reconstruction.

Poor guy... his face was so swollen (this was before the reconstruction). i bet he'll end up with a couple of black eyes out of it. And the meds were making him very nauseous. He threw up twice this evening, and each time when he did, it made his eyes water. only his tear ducts are filled with blood right now. So, he was crying blood. He was at the hospital for over 14 hrs today for an outpatient procedure for crying out loud. I wish they'd kept him overnight.

I'll spare you the photos, but if you are truly curious, you can google "forehead flap" and look at some of the images that came up. It breaks my heart.

Thanks guys. I'm just really emotional over it tonight apparently. Any thoughts and prayers you can offer are greatly appreciated.

[LenaGardner]

Oh, Libby. This makes me sad for you. I'm sorry it was a such a long and painful day. (((hugs)))

[Tracie Stroud]

Oh Libby, I am so so sorry! I am praying for you guys. I had 30 precancers removed 2 weeks ago, so I know the anxiety that comes with that, although I can't imagine going through what he's gone through. Keep us posted!

[Kim]

oh wow. I hope he heals quickly from all of the procedures. I cant imagine how rough the recovery is.

I am always on the look out because I am paranoid after working with a PCP who removed suspect moles all the time. Thanks for the PSA

[Sarah8914]

I'm sorry Libby. That would be so hard.

[joelsgirl]

So sorry, Libby, but I'm so glad someone finally caught it. Daddys are important.

[breakingbrie]

Oh, wow, Libby, I can't imagine! I hope he heals up quickly, and it goes smoothly from here on out! I'll be thinking of you all and your dad will be in my prayers!

[maryinaz]

Oh my gosh Libby - I'm so sorry! I hope he heals quickly!

[krystalhartley]

I don't have the stomach for that kind of stuff. Hugs and prayers headed your way.

[Nikki Epperson]

So sorry Libby! {{Hugs!!!}}

[tanbanan]

Oh my goodness. . .that sounds just awful Libby! I'm so sorry to hear this and will keep your family in my prayers!

[lizzyfizzy]

Libby! What a tough day! ((HUGS!!))

[Susan Bartolini]

Aw Libby, I am so sorry you and your family are having to go through this. Thanks for the reminder about skin care. I am going in for my mole check next month. I go every year since I am fair and freckly. Plus, I spent my stupid youth tanning like an idiot.

I hope your dad is feeling better soon. I will keep him in my thoughts.

Susan

[wildblueeyez]

Oh sweetie! how terrible for him to go through! will keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers!!

[Linz]

(((hugs)))) Libby! I hope he heals quickly.

[HeatherKS]

Oh Libby, I'm so so sorry that your dad had to go through all of that. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. *hugs* I hope he has a smooth recovery.

[Mama-to-Elle]

Oh Wow Libby, Im so sorry your dad has gone through such a terrible ordeal..
I will keep Him and your family close in my prayers, and I hope that his recovery is quick... (((HUGS)))

[jorgies5]

Oh wow Libby! Hope your Dad recovers quickly. This just might be the story I needed to hear to get myself into the doctor since melanoma runs in my family.

[sugarink]

Goodness, Libby... Sorry to hear that your dad has to go through this and I can't imagine how much suffering this is causing him. I pray that he'll come out of this just fine. Hang in there and be strong and don't lose hope. Keep us updated and always remember we're here for ya, girl! Try and have a good nights rest!

[ScrappieJackie]

Libby...sending hugs and prayers your way for you and your family...please keep us posted~!{{}}

[Brooke W]

I'm so sorry he had to go through all that Libby. P&PT for him and your family. May those next three weeks go quickly and smoothly for him. ((hugs))

[AllieP]

I'm so sorry, Libby! I know the anxiety that goes with this kind of situation. I hope your Dad heals quickly and doesn't have very much pain. We'll keep him in our prayers!

[Joan]

{{{HUGS}}} So sorry your dad and all of you have to go through this, Libby. I think it would be really hard for me not to walk into that other doctor's office in the next couple of days and say, "It's nothing, hmm?!?" if I were your dad. That's just so sad and infuriating that he was misled all those years.

I'll definitely be sending good thoughts and vibes you and your family's way.

[mrshobbes]

Ugh! I don't have to google it to feel it must be $#$%& painful! I'm so sorry, Libby **hugs** to you and hope he feels a little better after some rest. (and maybe ice cream)

[LibbysMommy]

Libby I'm so sorry!! Biggest hugs for you and your daddy!! I hope he heals quickly and feels better soon!!

[Anso]

Oh Libby, I'm so sorry to hear this. Lots of {{{hugs}}}

[nikkiARNGwife]

Oh sorry about your Dad..hope he has a quick recovery.

My daddy just had a basal cell removed this summer from his left cheek area. We had been telling him for a year to have it checked and he finally did. Those things are amazing how it can be just a small spot on the surface but then be spread much further than you'd think below. They ended up having to cut him from nearly his ear down the entire side of his cheek to get it all. His doesnt' sound as bad as your dad's though. But on the bright side, it's the skin cancer the least likely to spread to other organs.

[pbumbaca]

OMGosh! The poor guy! I'm so sorry your dad is having to go thru all this Libby! I hope his pain subsides soon and he doesn't get sick anymore! Hugs to you and lots of healing thoughts and prayers to your Dad!

[newfiemountiewife]

What an awful day. ((hugs))

I hope he feels better soon.

[mrs_jb]

Oh Libby, that must be so hard for your Dad! Big Hugs and prayers!

[Libby Pritchett]

Thank you all SO much for your thoughts and prayers.

My mom emailed me this morning and said it was a LONG night. She said my dad is in SO much pain and vomited all night long. She's going to call the dr this morning. He didn't sleep at all. He told her at one point that if he had known how bad this would hurt, he would rather have just had cancer (which wasn't really an option, as this type of cancer -- squamous cell carcinoma -- is known to spread to the bones if left untreated).

Anyway, this has completely changed my whole thought on skin cancer. I mean, when he had it before, they went in and removed it. And it wasn't pleasant, but it was all done in the office. Not a *huge* deal. THIS was just.... I can't even explain.

Thank you all so much. It means the world to me to know you care.

[junebug]

awww, poor guy! sorry he had to go through that. but atleast it didn't spread! hope he starts feeling better soon.

[~Julie~]

Big hugs Libby {{hugs}} I'm sorry he had to go through that. I hope his recovery goes smoothly although from what you said it doesn't sound like he had a good night so far.

[my3hens]

Oh sweety I am SO sorry for your dad, that sounds so incredibly painful! I am glad they did catch it and he got a second opinion, that coulda been tragic! Sounds like he is very lucky to have you keeping after him to honey! Hugs!

[mommy2aria06]

Oh honey!! I'm so so so so unbelieveable sorry!! My grandfather had the exact same thing happen but he was 90 at the time. They went all the way to his skull to get it and he had a huge hole in his head- seriously we saw the skull bone - eek! I hope that he heals quickly hun!! Definitely sending you some good thoughts and love! Lots of hun!!

[gypsystar]

(BIG HUGS) That is so scary. I pray your father has a quick recovery.

[kscwgirl]

Oh Libby... I'm so so so sorry.

[Shawna]

I am so sorry Libby, that sounds just awful for him. {{hugs}}

[Jennifer]

Oh, Libby...I'm so so so so sorry. Lots of prayers going up for him and ((hugs)) for you, too.

[crystalbird]

So sorry to hear this! It sounds so miserable! I hope he starts feeling better really soon and that the worst is behind him!

[meems]

oh that sounds like an awful ordeal. I hope he heals quickly.

[ColleenSwerb]

Just reading this now Libby. I'm SO so sorry that your family is going through this right now. I know he's in a lot of pain and having a tough time, and I know it was worse than you thought, but be thankful that it didn't spread to the bone.

My grandma has been dealing with similar issues (spot on her forehead) for about a year now. The spot on her forehead was so bad that it had spread far into her scalp and was even into the bone. She's still going back for treatments now.

So hopefully they got it all, and your dad is on his way to recovery. My thoughts are with you and your family!