Ain't Gonna Be Diving For A While

[dwashbur]

[LCF]

Oh, nasty fall! No fracture associated with it, I hope?

[Bric Martin]

My guess is you think those clothes make her look fat.

[dwashbur]

It was actually a surgery. I've had a little nodule thing on the side of my nose up near my eye for as long as I can remember; turns out it was a basal cell carcinoma. So I went to a dermatologist on one side of Tacoma at 7:30 in the morning so she could remove it using a special technique to make sure she got all of the cancer. Then I went across to the other side of Tacoma to a plastic surgeon so he could patch up the gigantic hole in my head. he's the reason it looks so awful, but at least it's temporary. Plus, from now on I get to tell people "yes, I've had plastic surgery." (and it didn't help a bit.)

It's already clearing up fairly well, but that picture is just too awesome not to share.

[oldsalt]

Dave: Despite the lighthearted tone, this is scary stuff. Fortunately, a diagnosis of cancer no longer carries the automatic death sentence as in earlier times. My prayers are that you will be in remission, fully recovered and diving again soon.

On the lighthearted side, I have learned that saying, "No dear, it is not the clothes.", is not the thing to say.
-Curt

[lamont]

Wow.

Well, let me welcome you to the plastic surgery / basal cell carcinoma club...

Although you got it a lot worse than me, mine was on top of my head, scar is completely hidden by hair...

Chicks dig scars, though, and you gotta come up with a good story about the bar fight you got into with a entire motorcycle gang or something...

[dwashbur]

The good thing about this particular carcinoma is, it stays localized. It doesn't break off and go invade other parts of the body like some cancers do, so when it's gone, it's gone. And they used what's called Mohs surgery, where they section and examine the tissue as it comes out, especially the outer edges and the lower end, to be sure there's nothing but clean tissue remaining, so there shouldn't be any return.

Unfortunately, the plastic surgeon wasn't paying attention when I told him to make me look like George Clooney...

[Dusty2]

Unfortunately, the plastic surgeon wasn't paying attention when I told him to make me look like George Clooney...

Sorry modern medicine can only do so much. I'm afraid your request was outside those boundaries.

[Cera]

I had this cancer on my nose and went to a plastic surgeon as well. Needless to say the scar isn't super-noticalble. BUT you need to be vigilant. I have had 3 more (2 of the same and a "pre-cancer" mole) removed since... Get well soon and remember sunscreen is your friend!

[Linedog]

I heard the plastic surgeon said he was just a technician not a magician.

[dwashbur]

Hey, I can dream...............