Oops...

[curmugeon]

Since my Mohs surgery last month the healing is somewhat complete but... This is a big "but"... I'm getting some stabbing consistent with what was occurring when I had the cancer present. I suspect that though they got "clean margins" they may have missed some. So I will return to the dermatologist and get it checked out. Looks like they may have to take a bigger chunk which means my poor ear my not have much left.

Comments

[cathy-edgett.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear this. It's no fun.

[n6vfp.livejournal.com]

Oh I know. Not looking forward to it but it must be done.

[oona32.livejournal.com]

How is your ear now? What did the dr say about the pain?

[n6vfp.livejournal.com]

Well they operated and removed a section. They thoght they had gotten all the cancer but after a follow up it looks like more surgery next month.

[oona32.livejournal.com]

Well, damn. I was hoping it was something like a 'phantom' pain you were feeling from the missing part. :/

[n6vfp.livejournal.com]

. No. The pain was real. When they took an 1/8th inch section from the ear the pain was real. Now I get to go back to be cut again. Cancer is cruel like that.

[oona32.livejournal.com]

Oh, I didn't mean the pain wasn't real. I meant a particular kind of pain;

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phantom-pain/basics/definition/con-20023268

I have lost many family members to cancer. I know how relentless and brutal it is.

[oona32.livejournal.com]

I just made you a comment which LJ marked as spam it said. I guess it was because I gave you a link to a Mayo Clinic website article. :/ Let me know if you can't see it. I can see it, but who knows with LJ...

[n6vfp.livejournal.com]

The link came through. I'm familiar with the concept of phantom pain having spent time ( many weeks) in a VA hospital. No i have never experienced phantom pain. I have a particularly high tolerance for pain so when I experience pain it is high intensity. However I learned how to control pain while under VA care through their pain clinic. I learned well enough to undergo a bone marrow extraction virtually pain free.

[n6vfp.livejournal.com]

BTW it is nice seeing your replies.

[oona32.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

Your comment on learning to handle pain from the VA pain clinic is interesting. How does one 'learn' to do that?

[n6vfp.livejournal.com]

We worked on use of biofeedbsck. They monitored brainwave activity and we worked to achieve a mental state where we subconsciously ignored or stopped feeling the pain. By thinking in certain patterns or concentrating on objects we were able to move pain from conscious memory to an area where we just forgot about it. It involved some hypnosis but what I remember was it worked. The program was run by doctors and psychologists. This was what went through in 1974.