Comments on: Spreading the Message of Skin Cancer Awareness

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:08:51 +0000

You really look great! I have had basal cell that has gone in my eye . It began when I was 22 yrs old
I had MOHs back then. I am now almost 60. I have had countless operations, reconstructive surgery,
Skin graphs, radiation, and numerous consultations with the best doctors in NYC and Boston. It has been
Recurrent and has gone into the mucous membrane. It is quite disfiguring. All that said, I would like to
Share my feelings on this, having 40 yrs of fighting it. First of all, the doctors are doing their best-we need
To have the scientists work on the ozone hole to stop the problem in the first place. This needs to be done
On a global level. Second, money needs to be put into this. I have been told that money is not put into the
Research for this because it is not or rarely deadly. This needs to be addressed. I cannot tell you the amount of time I have lost at work because of this, the pain and suffering I have had, and the difficulties it has caused my family. I have had to hire live ins to care for my children, I have had to hire housekeepers. I have Osteoporosis and had to stop my medicine for that during the radiation and a bone in my back broke – the T12 bone which put me in unbearable pain. I had to undergo a balloon khaphoplasty to repair the bone.
Basically, this disease has ruined my entire life. It appeared two weeks before my wedding. My honeymoon
Was shortened so I could have surgery, it appeared six months after I gave birth and I had surgery where
I had to be in the hospital and left my baby in the care of a trusted relative. When I finally returned about 5
Days later the baby got sick with Otis media and a high fever. As it was not yet diagnosed, the drs gave the
Baby a spinal tap and had him in isolation. During this I had to leave my baby to travel back to NYC to have
My stitches removed. I can’t tell you how difficult that was for me. Then the defense plant where my husband worked for 10 years had lay offs and he lost his job. So here I was with a 6 month old, my face literally torn apart ( it looked like I was shot in the eye) and a 3 yr old, and an unemployed husband. It was
1992 and all of Long Island was in a recession because about 30,000 people in defense lost their jobs. Maybe basal cell doesn’t always kill you physically, but it can make you disabled physically and emotionally.
I just pray that the pharmaceutical companies keep looking for drugs to stop the spread of this that don’t have side effects and can be taken internally as creams etc cannot be used in the eye area. I also pray for
All of our children because we left them a mess and it is our job to make it better for them.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:08:51 +0000

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:32:33 +0000

My mother is a patient of Dr. Otley and had the Mohs Surgery done a few years ago. Her surgery also involved the side of her nose and into the cheek area. Reconstruction/Plastics left her with no evidence of anything ever being done! She had a return visit last week and was told that there is no regrowth or other spots of concern. THANKS to all of you who work so hard to keep your patients healthy and beautiful.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:32:33 +0000

By: Makala Johnson

Makala Johnson — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:45:03 +0000

Thanks for sharing. A very important message, indeed!

By: Makala Johnson

Makala Johnson — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:45:03 +0000

Thanks for sharing. A very important message, indeed!