Shaz by the Sea

I wanted to provide an update to my previous post re my diagnosis , so here is a recap of my recent doctor visits at Dana Farber and upcoming surgery details. Both Jim and Chrissy had the great suggestion that I go to Dana Farber for a second opinion regarding my diagnosis, the pathology report, and the surgery.  I felt very unsure about going with MGH for the surgery, especially considering how I received the original diagnosis through the patient portal. Moreover, I felt the body scan at MGH was rushed and they didn't pay very much attention. I also thought that they took the whole diagnosis/surgery very lightly and didn't seem to really care. Now I know, I went to the surgical oncology department at MGH and they deal with some really serious cases. I am SUPER thankful that I am not one of those serious cases. However, it is serious to me. I needed a little more from the doctors and surgeons there - and I wasn't getting that. My original surgery was scheduled fo...

***This is a guest blog post from Lindsey Macomber Callahan, Skin Cancer Survivor*** " Mohs surgery , also known as chemosurgery, developed in 1938 by a general surgeon, Frederic E. Mohs, is microscopically controlled surgery used to treat common types of skin cancer. During the surgery, after each removal of tissue and while the patient waits, the tissue is examined for cancer cells. That examination informs the decision for additional tissue removal." Read on to hear about Lindsey's experience at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston. Some photos are fairly graphic, so please stop reading if you are sensitive to blood/swelling. ;) It has been exactly one year since I had Mohs surgery to remove a Basal cell carcinoma from my upper lip. Time flies! One year ago I thought my face was going to be ruined forever and my lip would never the same. Though that may sound dramatic, it is SCARY to find out you need to get invasive surgery on your face… less than thr...