One Week Down

So it has been one week since I had the Basal Cell removed from my nose. This has literally been the longest week of my life. Although Brian already explained the plastic surgery to you in the last post I would like to provide everyone with some insight on the surgery. The beginning was definitely the worst part. Dr.Parker began by drawing the incision marks on my face (explaining everything to Cole as he took the gruesome pictures that Brian posted in the last post). Next came the shots. To be honest shots never have scared me. I never understood this fear that people had of a little prick until NOW. I received shots (too many to count) on my entire left cheek, left ear, upper lip and nose that numbed the area. These shots were much worse than the day before during the MOHS surgery. Cole had to step out of the room for a little bit during all of the shots. It was not pleasant and I cried a bunch. So after I couldn't feel anything, including my teeth (doctor said it shares some of the same veins or something) we began the process. Cole thought he was going to get to catch the whole thing on camera but they made him step out to the waiting room. Luckily, one of the nurses told me to bring my iPod to help calm myself so I put that on (Adam's Song by Blink 182 began the surgery). They covered my eyes and the right side of my face with rags and we began. Because I was given the numbing shots I did not feel any of the cutting but the pulling and tugging was very apparent. I could not feel pain but I could feel pressure. As I laid there trying not to cry, trying to block out the sounds of the surgery (I could only put the head phones in my right ear because they were going to be cutting on my left ear for cartilage so I could still hear everything) I knew it had been longer than the anticipated 45 minutes. I remember hearing the vacuum and then Dr.Parker tell one of the nurses that she could go home. That is when I KNEW it was way past time. I prayed and talked myself through most of it. 2 hours later we were done. My first mistake happened when the nurse asked if I wanted to see it. Of course I said yes. I looked for about 2 seconds and then handed the mirror back and said that's enough. Cole came back and they explained everything as I cried some more. (I am now wondering how I have tears left) Cole of course comforted me, he learned how to bandage me up and we were on our way out the door. Kendra and Brian were waiting with hugs in the waiting room! So on our way out the door I began to bleed through the bandage because they were not able to stitch a small area of my nose because of the swelling. One of the nurses gave us special gauze to hold on the area. I bled the whole way home. Thankfully Cole was okay with the blood control and driving at the same time. Once I got home and into bed, I was out! I just wanted to sleep. All the medicines together made me very nauseous so I had to eat which was not fun because of the swelling in my face and the stitches in my cheek. Mom hand fed me mashed potatoes and soup that night.

The next day mom stayed home with me. Which I am very thankful for because I don't think I would have made it without her. She took great care of me! Mom has to change the bandage and clean the area everyday. I was very nervous for my mom to see my face because I really felt like a monster. I warned her and warned her and when she removed the bandage she didn't cry or make a facial expression at all. She made me feel much better. Even if she was hurting inside she never showed it. This is me, the day after the surgery. Scary, I know.


The days to follow were very much the same. Pain, take medicine, throw up (because I didn't eat enough... finally I got that part down) and most of all SLEEP. Sunday I started to feel much better. I got out of the house and it felt great! Here are pictures of me on Sunday (this is just during the cleaning, otherwise it is completely bandaged up)





Yesterday, I went back to the doctor. They were supposed to take all of the stitches out but they ended up only taking out the stitches in my ear and cheek. The ones in my nose were not quite ready. I will go back on Friday to get the rest taken out.

For right now I am just praying that everything goes smooth and works how it is anticipated. I will have another plastic surgery in 4 weeks to put this nose of mine back together. Dr.Parker promised me that in the end I will be back to normal! : ) Oh how I can't wait to just look normal again!

This couldn't come any faster... time PLEASE fly by!

Having a wonderful family and great friends has made this experience so much easier. I have the best parents that are always here for my every need and two awesome brothers and sister-in-laws that continually stop by to check up on me and of course an amazing boyfriend that is here every night! The house is full of flowers, gifts and inspirational cards from wonderful people in my life. Thank you all for the great words of inspiration and encouragement. Brittany, one of my Chi Omega sorority sisters, emailed me this last night and I wanted to share with y'all how sweet it was.

(If it is too small for you to read, it is a $25 donation to the Skin Cancer Foundation in honor of ME!)

I am such a lucky girl to have all of you!

I also wanted to thank everyone for passing my blog along to others. It brings a smile to my face that my story is being passed along and others are learning from my experience.

I will update again on Friday after I get my stitches out of my nose.

Oh and about the Job Interview... I thought it went great but I didn't get the job. The principal called to tell me they decided to go with someone with more experience. So... the job search is still on.

Love, Staci