Okay well, you knew I would do this… because it’s me… and if I have to go through this EVERYONE else should too.
Seriously… I’m wired as a teacher, and I figure if I can teach a few people about skin cancer and help a few people to NOT go through what I am going through, then this is all worth while.
First of all, thanks so much for the well-wishes and prayers. I felt them. Really, I did.
I had to go through two rounds of surgery on Thursday, and it took almost four hours. Thank goodness it was nowhere as bad as last time. (I didn’t pass out on the table) Thank you Doctor P. for letting me have my Kindle! I played a high-speed word game to keep my mind off what was happening. It did the trick!
I am giving permission to everyone to Twit and Facebook the ever-living-stink out of this. Email it to your friends. This is no joke, and the more people who see this and understand, the better. You OWE it to the people you love.
Heck, I dragged my 6, 9 and 11 year olds into the bathroom and showed them the stitches before I re-bandaged tonight.
Littlest Dude looked like he would faint. Good. I’ll remind him of it next time he complains about putting sunscreen on.
Okay. Here’s the art.
This is what Basal Cell Carcinoma looks like pre-surgery. I made note of the cute little freckle for your amusement. Remember where that little sucker is. Please click on the picture to zoom in and take a good look. If you have ANYTHING like this on your body GET TO YOUR DOCTOR. 
In fact, if you have any mark that pops up suddenly and does not go away in a week, show it to your doctor. It’s just not worth the risk.
This is the pressure bandage before I changed it.
And here’s the big bad and ugly about thirty hours after surgery. It’s eleven or twelve stitches, not including the internal stitches that you cannot see. I’d guess it’s about 2.5 inches long. And what happened to that freckle? I think it’s where the arrow is pointed. Yep, they had to cut that far around the cancer spot. That’s a lot of flesh to lose for a little spot of nastiness, isn’t it? I really wish there was someone like me around to show me this when I was 16 and did this to myself. If I only knew…
Run… don’t walk to the drugstore. Wear 30+ sunscreen year round. I have a special one for my face that won’t give me acne that also doubles as a daily moisturizer.
Wear a hat! you can get a sunburn in that scalp, too where your hair parts.
Promise me you will protect yourself, and promise me you will send this to at least one person you love. Hey, who knows… you might just save their life.
Lotion up, my friends, and be safe!
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Jennifer M Eaton 
Holy cow that was so tiny to begin with ! Thanks for the tips
I know. It’s a bit surprizing — also knowing there are INTERNAL stitches in there as well. There’s a lot of bad around a little spot like that
Thank you for posting this. I think I have a few places I need to get checked out. I guess I always thought it would be some bit blackish spot or weird shaped mole.
Thank you for educating me!
It’s very brave of you to share this and it’s a great reminder. As a person who lives in the sun, I use a lot of sunscreen, but it never hurts to hear this kind of story. I thought about you today as I paltered on the 45. I wish you the best.
You go with the SPF forty! Yay for you!
It looks so tiny and harmless pre-op! That’s scary. Thanks for sharing it.
Dang it. I had a couple spots similar, showed the doctor, and he froze them off. One is still here. Going back. Thanks, Jennifer. I had no idea your scar would be that huge. So glad you took care of yourself and got checked.
Yes, I’ve heard the freezing off is not as reliable. Mohs surgery has something like a 99% sucess rate. Make your appointment!
Glad you’re done with it! Thanks for the education! You’re doing us all a favor!
I hope so!
Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Wow, I’ve really been out of the loop (for a couple of weeks). Hope you’re well on the mend now.
So far so good. Was sore for a bit
You are one brave woman. Thanks for sharing and trying to keep the rest of us safe.
Thank you for sharing, Jennifer!
Sorry that you’ve had to go through this Jenn. I had a scare with cancer back in my twenties. I had what everyone referred to as a beauty mark on my left cheek. After 2 biopsies I was told it was precancerous and needed to be removed. If you think getting a needle in your gums at the dentist hurts, get one in your face. I got derm-abrasion afterwards to lessen the scar. That also hurts like hell and required needles. Did I tell you how much I hate needles? The guy was an ass too. Take heed and protect yourself. We always think “It’s not going to happen to me”.
You know it! My sister still lets her family go out unprotected. I just don’t get it. I have my kids sold on it, but hubbs still forgets a lot.
Thanks for creating more awareness for this. My Dad had several spots removed from his face over the course of five years or so. He was a fair-haired child on the beach or swimming outside a lot at a time when there was no such thing as sunscreen, so he grew up not bothering to use it. Fortunately, it wasn’t the cancers that killed him, but if left unchecked, it might have and we’d have lost him sooner.
I am glad and thankful you are doing well, Jennifer.
Reblogged this on Stephanie Hurt – Author/Accountant/Children's Minister and commented:
IMPORTANT…
Been Praying for your speedy recovery. I’ve had a couple of these cut out and it’s not fun at all. Loved the post and appreciate it. I plan on reblogging, tweeting and emailing it.
Thank you! Spread the word…sunscreen is cool!
I had my own little scare with this same issue this year. I added sunblock to my morning ritual evening though I sit inside most of the day.
Go you! I never really considered it either unless gardening or swimming … But the sun is always there, isn’t it?
Even when it’s not! Being on the water or out in the snow makes it doubly bad as the reflection of the UV hits you twice.
Yup!
Thanks for sharing, and hope you’re well!
(((((Hugs))))) honey xx
Thank you, Jennifer.
So sorry you had to go through this, Jennifer. Thank you for the edification.