Dog Ear

is a deformity in a surgical scar where the skin doesn’t quite match.  I had one on the left side of my abdominal scar that looked like this

except mine was way cuter.  I showed it to my plastic surgeon at the follow up appointment for the mastopexy and nipple reconstruction.  I really thought he would tell me to be patient, that it would settle down and blend in within a few months. This was supposed to be our last appointment because he is moving far away. Instead he said, “What the heck, come back Monday and I’ll take care of it for you.”

So I did.  Monday, October 1.  I had done a little research, by that I mean I had watched a few YouTube videos.  I climbed up on the table, under the lights.  There were two other people in the room, a nurse practitioner and someone who’s role I am unsure of.  They didn’t seem to do anything but chat.  He stuck me with needles (lidocaine) all around where he was going to cut.  Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.  Meanwhile, the two other people in the room were chatting about dogs, tv, reading books, coupons.  They tried to include me, but it was really hard to follow and contribute to the conversation.  Plus, lidocaine makes me feel like I’ve had 12 cups of coffee, and it’s really hard for me to put any kind of intelligent thought into words.

So, next he poked me with a sharp instrument and asked me if I felt anything.  No.  And he started cutting.  Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.  More lidocaine.  I decided to not try to talk anymore, and instead I concentrated on being calm and relaxed.  Calm and relaxed.  Calm and relaxed.

Suddenly, I felt a cut.  OW!  “It’s off.”  he said.

Now, he picked up something that looked like a pen with a cord sticking out the end.  He started poking around where he had just cut with the pen-like thing.  There was sizzling and smoke or steam.  This wafted right into his face and he didn’t seem to mind.

Finally, he sewed me shut and applied the dermabond.  The nurse practitioner put a bandage over the incision, and by now the doctor was on the other side of the table.  I sat up and said, “Thank you.”  He said, “Your welcome.” And he gave me a big smile and then a big hug.  I turned my face into his neck and took a deep breath.  That’s how I hug my brothers, my kids, my nephews, my friends, and my favorite students.

He’s the only one who is allowed to touch me like this.  With a knife and needles.

He’s my favorite doctor.

He moved far away.  I think I was his last patient here.  I will miss him.  I hope he will take care of women like me in his new place.

About these ads