What a difference a day makes. 24 hours. 1440 minutes. 86,400 seconds. Some of the red, gone. Some of the thumping pain, gone. Some of the nasty bits, stayed. Not bad, two out of three. Almost done. I have a fantastic life…skin cancer and all.
It started 7 months ago. A small pimple on my bottom lip. Almost imperceptible unless you are a manscaping Metro like me. A small pimple that caused inordinate amounts of pain when touched. The dermatologist knew right away. The biopsy confirmed it. Squamous cell skin cancer. Wait, what? It’s just a pimple. It was actually the tip of the tumor buried in my bottom lip. MOHS surgery came two weeks later. Seven MOHS procedures in 6 hours. Then home for the night. Home with a gaping wound where my bottom lip was supposed to be. That was Monday, Plastic surgery was Tuesday. It’s called Plastic surgery but near as I can figure, there was no plastic used. Two days of surgery, 42 stitches and the loss of a third of my bottom lip. Quite a journey. Almost done.
I offer this look back so that you can look forward. Make an appointment. See a dermatologist. Then look forward. Look forward to a long life with the ones you love. My life is fantastic. Skin cancer and all.
Day 32. Thanks for stopping by.
God bless,
-Ian
Ian Leonard... 
I am so pleased you are feeling better. I have been following your blog most of the way through your ordeal and have been in tears looking at how sore you were. So glad it’s almost over. God Bless.
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You are in our thoughts and prayers. We miss seeing you every day. 1 year ago we met you at the prior lake polar plunge. We got to jump in with you and we made the news as “these fine folks who were first timers!” From Carver- Jan and Tim
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So wonderful to hear that the intense pain is over. I have loved following your wonderful writing, your sharing of your long days and nights, and the future that you are looking forward to. Can you tell those of us who have never seen this type of chemo for skin cancer a little more about what we are seeing here? Is the doctor telling you that the redder the spots, the more likelihood of skin cancer? Does the bleeding mean that the problem is deeper in those areas? I’m afraid that we are all pretty new to this! Thanks for giving us your insights, and thank you for being willing to be so public about your treatment. I look forward to reading your blog for years to come!
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What a difference a day makes!
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Definitely looking better…. doesn’t look quite as painful. You’ll be back on the air in no time! Almost there. God bless.
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It made my day to hear you are feeling better. Thank you for allowing us to come along on your journey. Please continue to recover quickly and God bless you!
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You are still in my thoughts and prayers. You are doing just fine. Tell Jasper Hi.
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Thank you for sharing your journey. As a long time volunteer for the American Cancer Society, I know that your story will touch many people and make a difference in this fight against cancer.
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Good days without much pain do so much for the spirit. Won’t be long now and your journey will be a memory.
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The battle is almost done. And you are winning. God bless.
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I had melanoma skin cancer a few years ago. Derm surgery removed part of my right ear lob. Luckily, it was at stage zero. No problems since. Get well soon!
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Make that “lobe” 👂
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Hear- hear Ian my friend, life is fantastic. One thing that makes it so is the inspiration from our personal heroes. I have a fairly long list of them, all the way back to childhood. Men, women, boys, girls, animals, real people, and created characters. Those that cause us to pause and satay “wait a minute, I like you’re style. They have and do inspire me to be the best version of myself, and to give it all away, everyday. I have added you to my hero list Ian, Blessings, 😎 Matt G. – Oak Grove Sent from my iPhone
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God Bless You Ian and all your family that supports you all the way. What a great family.miss you on the news wish you a speedy recovery.
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You are looking amazing, thank you for your wise words of wisdom, and your proactivity about our skin and cancer. I know you are where you need to ne now, I miss seeing you on the news, but know we will see you again soon enough. I hope to be able to have another picture with you at the State Fair again this summer 🙂 in the meantime, keep on healing and thank you for the daily updates on your journey. God Bless!
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Wow…..all I can say….so brave…thanks for letting me and others go along with you on your journey ….your story is good and getting even better….some people will never experience anything like this….your writing makes a person feel like they’re right along with you on the journey…as bad as it is….God bless….Judy
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