I’m early, of course.
I’m always early. I’d be early to the gallows of my own volition. No, no, no, don’t bother with a meal. Let’s get right out there! We don’t want to keep the crowd waiting!
It’s 7:20 and I’m in the chair.
Ashley is bright and cheery as she asks a few questions for her clipboard, puts the chair into recliner position, and swabs my nose. Music plays gently. Without any waiting, in comes the tall and amiable Dr. Campbell, and as I shake his hand, I notice my hand is cold to his warm.
I am very nervous.
After a brief chat during which I explain my plan to leave Georgia next week to explore the West, pulling a little travel trailer, he looks at my nose and tells me he doesn’t think it will take much at all. His male assistant says some soothing words, squeezes my nose with a gauze pad, tells me I’ll feel a little sting, and sticks the needle in my nose. I can’t believe it! I don’t feel a thing. Honestly. Then he pricks my nose in several places to test the numbness and I only feel it once and just slightly, so he gives me another shot which I don’t feel. Wow. This guy is good. Dr. Campbell does his work which, again, I don’t feel.
They both leave, promising to be back in 30 minutes.
The door swings open and Dr. Campbell strides in, “It’s superficial. We got it all.”
Relief pours over me like warm milk.
“You got it ALL?” I soak in the words. “Thank God Almighty!”
I smile for the first time this morning. If it weren’t for the gauze and the tape, it would have been the biggest smile I’ve made in years. In fact, I profess my love to Dr. Campbell and he smiles, too.
“Does this mean you’ll take me away in your camper?”
Next I have to be sanded down with the electric sander. Not a sander, exactly, a buffer of sorts, to smooth the edges of the wound so it will heal well with as little scarring as possible. I ask what the wound looks like. “Is it the size of a dime or a quarter?”
You should see the other guy.
Dr. Campbell replies, “A dime. When you take the bandage off it will look like you skinned your nose on concrete.”
He tells Ashley to set up an appointment for next Thursday, and tells me I can cancel if I don’t see any need to come back. He says I should not hesitate to call him at home or the office if I have any concerns.
At exactly 8:19 I’m back in the PTV! It’s over!
Superficial. That word has always been a negative, as in . . . She’s so superficial . . . or . . . I hate Facebook because the conversations are superficial. Now I want to tell the world, “Hey! Look at me! Look at my nose! It’s SUPERFICIAL!”
rvsue
Hey, I would be just like you if it were me. And you know, there’s no better feeling in the world than the moment you walk out that doctor’s office door into the fresh air of the outdoors. “Ah, it’s a wonderful day!”
Ain’t that the truth!
“Relief pours over me like warm milk.”
Hahahaha … I can see now that you’re one of those girls who’s way different at the dermatologists office than you are at home.
I don’t know what it is. I see all those posters about skin and I go wild.
Great news 🙂 You should be smiling !!!
So relax sleep well tonight enjoy the good news!!!!
Kay Julia,
I’m sure to sleep well as I didn’t get but two hours of sleep last night. Yes, I’m smiling. A few Extra Strength Tylenols and I’m feeling no pain!
I am following your blog every day. I love what you are doing so am living it through you, I have you “Bookmarked” so I can find you fast. I’m glad all turned out well for you. Have a great retirement and keep blogging.
Hello, Diane!
I’m so happy to hear you are following my escapades every day!
Gee whiz . . . The drama I can conjure up about everything, no matter how small!
Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank goodness – I am SOOOO happy for you. I had a friend with cancer on her nose, she was in her 80s, I’d think a slower healer at that age. She had a bit of a scar – after a while she looked great, so don’t worry if there is a scar now. It will fade.
I, too, had the doctor say, “We got it all,” so I know your relief. Keep using that SPF lotion! 🙂
So you’ve been there and done that? It is soooooo beautiful to hear those words and know you can get up out of the chair and go home.
This episode has changed my outlook. It’s big hats and SPF for me!
Nice of you to share my happiness . . .
Woo-hoo! The end is in sight! You’ll be on the road in no time now, Sue, and I can hardly wait to read of your experiences. Go get ’em, girl! 🙂
I think I can hear you cheering me on! Is it true? Am I actually going to get on the road? Next week!!!!!
What great news! Now you can relax and focus on getting your Casita and heading out for parts unknown. Hopefully my procedure in October will be just as short. Thanks for sharing
Yes, I do hope yours will go quickly, too.
I was thinking of you as I wrote about how pain-free the shots were. I’m hoping that is reassurance for you. For me, the shots are a big hurdle. These were so much better than the shot for the biopsy.
Who knows where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing in October. If I’m all wrapped up in ME (typical!) and forget to ask about your procedure, please don’t take it as not caring. Let me know how it goes. And then I can shout back at you, “What great news!”
The very best of news and you didn’t even need that book. Congratulations.
Thanks, Sheila.
Hey we finally got a picture of you!! Now when I bump into you at the Walmart RV section at who knows where USA I’ll recognize you and say “hi”:) All kidding aside I’m glad you came through with flying colors!
Thanks, Jeff!
Just when I was about to reveal myself, my nose is messed up!
WHEW !!!!
You can say that again!
I sure can stir up a fuss!
All I have to do is apply a vinegar and water soak for 15 minutes, twice a day. I also have to keep vaseline on my nose to prevent a scab from forming, which minimizes scarring. I don’t need to wear a bandaid unless I’m going out in the sun and it is suggested also for overnight to keep the vaseline in place.
Right about the time I leave for Texas, I can stop all this, as it should be pretty much healed by then.
Sue,
I’m so glad the procedure went quickly and painlessly. I prayed for you this morning, but I think you were already out of the doctor’s office by the time I got around to it.
You’re a wise lady to take care of things early and get them over with. Procrastination is always a defeating strategy.
Rest up for your drive to Texas!
Good grief–I don’t know what Word Press is doing. My earlier post has the wrong name!
WordPress must be having a bad air day.
Fantastic news and a great answer to the prayers of many folks. Just to be sure I was in time, I prayed last night. Now it really is ALL OVER WITH. And Superficial is a great word when applied to stuff like this. Get ready to hit the road girl. We’re looking forward to meeting you.
Same here, Reine!
As soon as I make some reservations, we can plan . . .