More Basal Cell Surgery

basal cell surgery

Yesterday the dermatologist performed an ED&C to remove the two basal cell carcinomas they found on my neck last month. Basically this involved them numbing the two spots, and then using a tool to scrape off the skin cells. She performed this procedure three times on each spot, using a cautery machine between each scraping to stem the bleeding. It really didn't take her too long, and the worst parts were the shots to numb the areas and the smell of something burning when she used the cautery machine.

The two spots were bandaged when she was done, and I reminded them that I have an allergy to the adhesive on bandages. This time they used gauze and some non-latex tape. I'm supposed to keep Vaseline and bandages on for two weeks, but I doubt I'll be able to tolerate that even with the new tape. She said as long as I keep the spots moist with Vaseline, the bandage really doesn't matter. I suspect they are really to protect my clothes from the ointment, as well as the sores from being rubbed by my clothes.

I haven't removed the bandages yet as I am going out to dinner and to a play with a few of my female pickleball players from the neighborhood. I wasn't sure I would be able to secure the gauze as well as the nurse did. I'll definitely do it when I get home tonight though. It will be interesting to see what the wounds look like since I haven't had this procedure done before.

Down to Destin

Last month we went to Destin, Florida, a place neither of us had been. While many of our friends in St. Louis made an annual pilgrimage there, that was not something we had done. Some good friends of mine have an ocean-front condo they rent out, so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to visit. On the way down, we stopped at Stone Mountain State Park outside of Atlanta, Georgia. 

Stone Mountain is the world's largest exposed granite outcrop. By Georgia state law, the entire 3,200-acre park is designated as a memorial to the Confederacy. Today it is rather commercialized with an amusement park, train and gondolas to take you up the mountain, and they charge a ridiculous $20 entry fee which only covers parking. We hiked in different parts of the park, ending up in the area where you can get close to a memorial carving in the side of the mountain. It depicts Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Located 400 feet from the ground, the carving measures 90 x 190 feet and is recessed 42 feet into the mountain. Work began on the carving in 1924, but for various reasons was not completed until 1972. 

Stone Mountain State Park

From the park we drove to Montgomery, Alabama where we spent the night. The next morning we continued on to Destin, stopping first at a delightful gulf-side restaurant for a late lunch before going to my friend's house to pick up the condo keys. It was great to see them, and we had a couple of meals together and played games and pickleball.

lunch spot and balcony view

The weather was not the greatest while we were there, with lots of clouds, high winds and a few showers thrown in. Nevertheless, we made the most of our time in Destin. We played some pickleball, visited museums and wildlife refuges, did some walking on the beach and very much enjoyed a trip to the Gulfarium. We are glad we got a chance to see the area, but will probably check out other parts of Florida before considering a trip back there.

Destin, Florida