If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, then you know my husband has had Mohs surgery multiple times.
Basically, every year for the past 10 years he has gone to the dermatologist for a check up. Every year he insists he doesn’t need to go. And every year I insist that he does.
Yada yada yada…
He went to the dermatologist a few months ago, and there was a small spot in his ear that wouldn’t heal and it looked suspicious so the dermatologist did a biopsy and what do you know… More basal cell carcinoma.
So last week the HH had Mohs surgery #7. I took this photo an hour or so after we got home from the surgery. In a nutshell, it didn’t go well.
Mohs surgery #7 was on the concha cavum.
If you need to have Mohs surgery on/in your ear, this is NOT an easy spot to reach.
And well, after multiple attempts {and the cancer still being present} the decision was made to stop cutting {and most likely} go the radiation route. We have an appointment for that next week.
Anyway…That’s not what this story is about. This is the story of how the HH maxed out his deductible for the year. {First time ever!}
So the HH had the surgery.
And by the evening of day 2, there was a bunch of blood on the bandage and the HH was concerned so we decided to head to urgent care {with 10 minutes to spare before they closed} so a nurse could remove the bandage and have a look.
I stayed in the lobby while he went back with the nurse and not even 5 minutes later, another nurse hurried out to the lobby to get me and said that my husband passed out, but he’s coming around. He doesn’t look so good though so they called an ambulance.
She said he was out for 2 minutes… And then asked if this ever happened before???
Umm… Yes. Multiple times actually but when I get back to the exam room I can immediately tell this time is VERY different. His face was GREY.
I try to hold eye contact with him and then start squeezing his leg and the nurse is moving her fist around his chest and he passes out again.
He comes to, the ambulance arrives, he gets loaded in and I follow behind in the car.
I tell myself that as long as they don’t turn on the flashing lights and sirens or speed up, everything will be okay.
They do an EKG, a blood workup, and give him an iv. They say he’s fine. We head home four hours later.
Except that he’s not fine. This time around it {passing out} took a lot out of him. A few days have passed since it happened and he’s just now starting to feel more like himself.
Passing out has only ever happened in a medical setting for him. So I told my husband from now on… every time he goes to the Doctor, he gets to have a chaperone {me!}.
Skin cancer sucks. And so does passing out. But hey, being served meals on a tray and not having to do yard work for a few days isn’t so bad.
~Mavis
P.S. Get your bits checked.
Joely says
So sorry for your HH. I hope he is better soon. What a difficult and traumatic time for you both.
J in OH-IO says
Oh, how scary! Hope the HH feels better and you all can rest up this week. Wishing you all good health, renewed strength, and quick healing.
Thank you for the PSA reminder about getting the bits checked!
Nancy Settel says
Oh my goodness what a scare for both of you. Glad to hear he is doing good now and boy what a strange place to have a skin cancer. I keep getting precancer on each side of my face right before my ears and they use that really cold stuff in a can to take it off. I feel very lucky now after reading this. Glad he is resting and doing as he should but oopps you are now back to cooking and he isn’t. It has been a hard couple of weeks for both of you with the puppers and now this for your husband. Best of luck for all of you.
Silke says
All the best wishes for your husband and you, stay strong!
Connie says
Yep. I worked 15 years in front office of derms. My husband has had several melanomas. We are faithful about checkups.
Prayers for uneventful recovery for your husband.
Sue says
Yikes, how stressful for you both! Best wishes for your husband as he recovers, and for you as you help him during that process!
Brianna says
That is the worst feeling ever for having a hubby pass out and it may not always be a ‘typical’ passing out. I am glad he is doing better, but it is very scary.
My hubby would pass out and it was always a joke that he passed out, then once I had him in the ER for something different and they had the monitors hooked up to him and he passed out. He flatlined and they dropped the bed and did CPR and shocked him. After they got him back, he was urgently sent to a larger facility. They ran many tests and did a tilt table test a few days later and he did it again and they had to revive him again. Anyways, he got a diagnosis and a pacemaker at 27.
Torry says
Oh my, how scary! I know that you were scared. I am glad that they were able to do something, but he was so young!
Kath says
Yoikes! Well, this was not a good adventure for either of you! I hope he continues to feel better and that the radiation goes well. Stay strong!
Jill A says
Oh no!! Feel better HH.
Linda says
Hope he continues to feel better. Did they recommend a cardiologist or follow up. Prayers for you all.
Ashley says
I’m so sorry he’s going through a rough patch. Glad he has you!
Rosemary says
That is so scary! I will pray that all goes well with the radiation and that it will take care of it for good. I will also pray for you, as this is not easy for you either.
My hubby had a scary incident with me. I was having an upper endoscopy done and for some reason I stopped breathing. They had not even begun the procedure yet – they had just started the anesthesia. Apparently, they had to shake me really hard to get me breathing again – I had bruises on my shoulders from their hands gripping me. I can only guess that I had a reaction to the type of anesthesia they used.
Dawn says
How stressful for both of you! I hope he is feeling better soon!
Laura says
What a scare for both of you! Hopefully your husband is on the mend and feeling better and your heart has calmed down as well!
I also have had several episodes of skin cancer (all squamous cell – I grew up in SoCal and spent A LOT of time in the sun with no protection). I’ve had one Mohs surgery, several small areas burned off, and the last round was treated with radiation – I would choose radiation now over the others. It took longer (6 weeks) but painless and no scarring.
Rj says
I had the radiation too (on my nose) and I agree with that!
Nancy D says
Big hug to both of you!
Janie says
How scary for the both of you. Hope HH recovers and the treatment goes well .
Take care and good wishes to you both. Janie
Linda Sand says
I am sorry you are going through this. I now feel lucky that my own husband’s Mohs surgeries have always gone well. Yes, he has a Harry Potter type scar on one side of his face and he has a notch out of one ear that makes me think of cattle but never INSIDE his ear. And mine never passed out. I encourage you to follow up on that part.
Erin says
I’m so glad you both were able to just take it easy after all that! What an ordeal! I actually just went to the dermatologist today for my 6 month checkup. I’ve had basal cell & precancerous spots, so they don’t let me wait a year. I have a condition called POTS, so I can really relate to the passing out stuff. I’m glad HH is on the mend & hope the radiation is simple & really effective.
Teri says
Thoughts & prayers
Pat Marino says
Sending warm thoughts and hugs to you all. Scary, yes, but this too shall pass. You’re both fortunate to have each other, and Miss Lucy.
Judi Y. says
Oh Mavis, I am so sorry! That was so, so scary! We are all sending both of you hugs and the hope that he feels so much better soon.
Julie says
Aaaccckkk!! I am sorry! That was indeed scary, may all be well now! Who knew you could get skin cancer IN your ear!
Better days ahead, to you and HH both!!
Mary says
God Bless both of you!
Katherine says
I basal cell carcinoma removed from my eyelid last year and had Mohs surgery. Now I not only wear mineral sunscreen I wear a wide brimmed sun hat that is UPF 50.
https://gearjunkie.com/apparel/best-sun-hats
Sue Thompson says
Sending prayers your way, so sorry to hear this.
Mrs. C. says
I am so sorry both of you are going through this, and I will keep you in my prayers.
Trace says
Hugs and prayers
Carrie V says
How scary! Boys and men with their shorter hair are more prone to skin cancer on their ears. Nag them (LOVE THEM) into using high SPF sun block in that area. I will pray for you both Mavis!!
Sue in SoCal says
Your poor HH. I really feel for him, he’s going through a lot when you add in the passing out stuff. I had that radiation on my lower leg once. They call it the gentle cure. It does start to get painful towards the end. I had them stop it for about 10 days and that really helped with that problem. What they didn’t tell me was I would get neuropathy in that foot. It isn’t bad yet but an annoyance when I walk. Still better than not doing the treatment. It works. They use it for hard to reach or heal sites I guess.
Nancy W says
What a scary experience! I’m glad hubby is home and feeling more like himself. I hope the radiation treatment goes well.
Molly says
So sorry you both are going through this. Cancer Sucks. Prayers and hugs all around. Take care & God Bless.
Kimberly Vassar says
I’m so sorry and will keep both of you in my prayers. Cancer is just plain scary. My husband and I have cancer. We were diagnosed three days apart last September. His is lung. Mine is rectal.
Richelle says
Glad to hear that the HH is on the mend and that he has you to speed his recovery. Best wishes to you both.
JulieP says
Oh Mavis how worrying hope all the future treatment for his ear goes well and he stays upright! Poor man but how lucky to have no yard work and breakfast in bed 🙂
Cecile says
My dad was a cemetery caretaker and wore ball caps while cutting the grass. They didn’t protect his ears. He ended up with a hole in his ear that was 1.5 cm in diametre. We teased him that he needed to get spacers like the cool kids! The other ear got a much smaller hole but half the rolled part removed. I’ve had a small spot under my eye removed and now need a spot on my lip removed. SPF50 anf bucket hats or big densely woven sun hats are the only way to go!
Olga says
Thank you for sharing your scary experience with us and I wish you and your HH all the best through this. It is a good reminder to everyone to get in for annual skin checks, cover up and wear your sunscreen. Sending blessings and hugs!
Julie V says
Mavis’ Man, Hope you are feeling better.
Nancy D says
Mavis’ Man….love it! (Maybe change his “label” from HH to MM?!)
Judy says
So sorry you both had to go through that stressful experience. But, on a positive note if one had to have skin cancer, basal cell is the one to hopefully be diagnosed with. We used to say that at work all the time, I spent my career in Pathology.
Just an FYI, you can get skin cancer on areas that have never been exposed to the sun. They can occur on all areas of your body, under nails, even your anus. Mostly squamous cell.
Take care
Christa H says
Hope he is feeling better now. I’m sure that was stressful for both of you.
OregonGuest says
Vasovagal syncope? If heart rate goes super low, it is shocking how completely and utterly weak you can feel, even several days afterward. There are some tricks that can be used to help ward off a full-blown episode, if that’s what this is. Hope he’s feeling better!!
Katy @ Practical Walk says
So sorry!!
Tanya says
How scary for you to witness your loved one in a precarious medical situation. Sounds like you were able to keep your self together and be his support. Sending healing vibes and gentle hugs for a swift recovery. Meals served on trays and no yardwork, YAY!