Healing

The bad news is that I need regular skin cancer excisions. The good news is the ones on my face heal well enough that I have never been tempted to take cosmetic surgery options. I always discounted compliments from my medical caregivers because they were praising their own work and they were like kind friends who try to make me feel better about myself. There was some truth in my first doctor’s assertion that I healed as well as my Mother who underwent such procedures before me. We had certainly seen examples of people who fared worse. But distinctions seem subtle considering that I am still wearing the weather beaten face of a 73 year old. Last Wednesday I had Mohs surgery behind my ear three weeks after one on the bridge of my nose. The medical technician and doctor both commented on how good the nose looked and I duly complimented them on their work. While I was waiting for anesthetic, I could hear snippets of conversation (e.g., “no lines”) about my nose work among staff members on the other side of the wall. Ultimately, I was asked if they could use a picture in their own promotional materials. So I dutifully signed and initialed permission forms because no one will recognize my snoot anyway. I pick my nose most everywhere but doubt I could pick it out of a lineup. I guess I do heal well. I just hope my nose is used in an “after” shot and not as a scary “before” photo with the caption, “Do Not Let This Happen To You.”