The Surprising Thing I Have in Common with Hugh Jackman

Happy Wednesday, Friends! I'll confess I've been a long time admirer of Hugh Jackman and not just because he's easy on the eyes.  While he's obviously talented, I've been equally impressed with the way he conducts himself during interviews. I've seen him become emotional when referring to his father's dedication as a single parent and then light up when he describes his relationship with his wife. Refreshing, right?  Imagine my surprise, when I recently learned that we have something in common...


The Surprising Thing I Have in Common with Hugh Jackman mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Skin cancer prevention and treatment



This past week, HJ was all over social media but not for his latest movie.  The actor posted several selfies with a bandaged nose after being treated for basal cell carcinoma. It was reported to have been his fifth skin cancer removal in three years. Interestingly, the week prior, I'd had my fourth basal cell surgery also within a three year period.  While I'd considered sharing my experience before, there was something about HJ's humility in sharing his photos while urging fans to wear sunscreen and receive annual screenings from a dermatologist that inspired me.  


The Surprising Thing I Have in Common with Hugh Jackman mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Skin cancer prevention and treatment


First of all, let me assure you I am okay.  While basal cell carcinoma is skin cancer and should not be treated lightly, it is the most common and has a cure rate of almost 100%. Early detection is key. I am very thankful that my recent excision was the smallest spot yet. Mine was also on the side of my nose and in fact, my bandage looked very similar to HJ's. 

Does it hurt? With the biopsy required for diagnosis, my past Mohs surgery and recent excision, local anesthesia was used and the initial shots burned.  The actual procedure didn't hurt but there was swelling and discomfort after and some pain involved until the stitches were removed.

At this writing, it has been exactly two weeks since the surgery and one, since the stitches were removed.  The scar is still red, a little puffy and tender to the touch.  In all honesty, I went back and forth about posting this photo. You can see how thrilled I am to share the selfie by my facial expression.  However, my hope is the information and updates will be helpful for someone. While it will take some time for this scar to fade, the scar on my chin from surgery three years ago is only slightly visible.  


The Surprising Thing I Have in Common with Hugh Jackman mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 2 Weeks post Basal Cell Carcinoma Excision

Now for some facts: 

We've all heard it before--if a spot develops or an existing one changes, have it checked. Just do it--sooner rather than later. I tend to research and am the world's worst at googling medical symptoms. Let me tell you, three years ago, when I had three different BCCs, each one looked different and not one of them looked like the pictures online. Get checked! Find a dermatologist you really like and visit yearly or more often if suggested. You should literally be checked from head to toe. My mother recently visited a dermatologist with an office sign stating that multiple visits would be required, if more than 3 spots needed to be checked. Considering the reason for the visit, that is just wrong--run, don't walk away from such nonsense! Wear sunscreen, even if the sun isn't shining and even if you are not fair skinned. If you garden, or exercise outdoors, wear a hat.  Click the link for more information on  preventing skin cancer.  

I'll leave you on a lighter note--guess who has been known to join his wife at Zumba class?

The Surprising Thing I Have in Common with Hugh Jackman mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Zumba!







The Surprising Thing I Have in Common with Hugh Jackman mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Click here to see where I party!






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  1. Going to a Mohs-certified surgeon is an excellent decision, Cecilia! Yours will, no doubt heal nicely. I will have my annual this coming Monday with mine. My husband has had many, many surgical removals, the most extensive being two on his shin, which required a skin graft from his thigh due to the tautness of the skin on the tibia. My family is predominantly Irish, so we all have the tendency for being affected. Good PSA post, and wintertime is a good time to be checked!

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  2. Oh Cecilia, thank you for the reminder! So glad you are okay and I did not realize that you had to go multiple times to have spots removed. I had been going yearly to get checked but since our insurance has gone sky high before meeting the deductible, I have let it slide. Not a good excuse, I know, so I must get there. I have a ton of moles on me to be checked!

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  3. Cecilia, this is a thoughtful post to remind us all to take caution and be mindful. All the best! We all need to pay attention to our bodies and be pro-active about treatment if needed. Thank you for sharing.

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  4. Thank you for overcoming your trepidation and sharing your story. It is so important for everyone to see their health care providers yearly for all the proper screenings, keep up with blood work, and catch things before they get out of hand.

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  5. Thanks for sharing this important info, Cecilia. I'm a very fair-skinned Irish lass and have had to keep a close watch on my skin for all of my adult life. I wish I had not gotten so many sunburns as a child, that's for sure! My kids have always worn swim shirts since they were infants to block out the UV rays. And I used to slather them with sunblock (at least 50 SPF). Now they know it's important to keep up that habit. xo Kathleen

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  6. Good for you to share this. I have a good friend that has had lots of skin cancers and he is faithful about visiting his dermatologist. I have a check once a year and wear sunscreen.

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  7. Cecilia, you are very brave to share and a reminder to us all to get checked regularly. I am fair skinned and in my youth got more than my share of bad sunburns but no more. It's hats and sunscreen for me and my family.

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  8. What a wonderful post Cecilia with great information to remind us all to take care of our skin when it comes to the sun. I'm fair skinned and really can't take much sun at all so I've pretty much always worn hats, at under umbrellas etc.. and used a strong sunscreen. When I was in my teens I remember other girls slathering themselves with sun lotion to get a tan. I could never do that because I've never been able to take too much heat either. I wasn't very thankful for that then, but I am now.

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  9. I have a friend who is a redhead and her doctor told her that redheads are especially prone to it. Even in hot summer, she must wear long sleeves and wear hats and keep sunscreen on. She has had about 15 removed so far!! She stresses early detection and sunscreen use!

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  10. So glad that you are ok, Cecilia. I know that it's scary and not a fun procedure. Thank you for sharing your story. Feel well.

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  11. Hi Cecilia. Thanks for sharing your story and all this important information. Glad you are healing nicely. Mr.Z. is the one who has skin cancers and has the scars to prove it. He neglects taking preventative measures to protect his skin. He always "pays" for it when he visits the dermatologist. The worst one was on the lip and had to be operated on twice.
    Take care.
    Hugs,
    Audrey Z.

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  12. Thank you for sharing, Cecilia. It is extremely important to be checked yearly (and yes, I need to go!). I'm so glad you are ok. Hope you heal quickly with little discomfort.
    Hugs

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  13. We are a family of fair skinned people - both our children have red hair. So everyone gets checked regularly. My husband has had melanoma twice and both times we caught it before chemo or radiation was necessary. The second time, it was one week between the day I spotted something I didn't think looked right on Steve's back and the cancer was removed. Early detection is crucial.

    Thanks for sharing this important message at SYC.

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  14. Cecilia thank you for sharing this very personal side of yourself with us. I am so happy to hear that you are well. I live in a sun drenched country and spend the summertime hiding indoors because the sun is just too intense for me.

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I absolutely love to read your thoughtful comments and enjoy responding to each one! I will respond to your comments here. You may check back to see my response or check the "notify me" box. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!