2016 - annus horribilis

[BoSoxGal]

And now it's confirmed, she's gone. RIP.

[Gob]

She's snuffed it too...

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38455777

84, not a bad innings.

[Bicycle Bill]

I was told in September that lab tests of my blood sugar were finally on the wrong side of the border often enough that I was no longer a 'borderline diabetic'.  Today, following a biopsy of a mole on my face, I received a diagnosis of skin cancer; a basal cell carcinoma that will require followup treatment including something called "Mohs surgery".  They believe they caught it early enough that the prognosis is all roses and sunshine, but still — any time someone starts hacking away pieces of your face until they whittle out all the bad stuff, well.....

And earlier this year my sister and I were still tying up loose ends following my mother's death in August 2015 — selling her house (neither of us needed or wanted it — or more realistically, could have afforded to keep it), paying off her final expenses, and all sorts of other stuff involving lawyers, realtors, tax assessors, and other assorted ne'er-do-wells.

You're right; as years go, 2016 sucked.

-"BB"-

[RayThom]

I can't help to believe that Reynold's cause of death will be attributed to parental anguish and guilt. She no doubt died a restless soul. OTOH, I'm happy Carrie was able to make meaning of her life before it ended yesterday.

[RayThom]

... Today, following a biopsy of a mole on my face, I received a diagnosis of skin cancer; a basal cell carcinoma that will require followup treatment including something called Mohs surgery. They believe they caught it early enough that the prognosis is all roses and sunshine, but still — any time someone starts hacking away pieces of your face until they whittle out all the bad stuff...

If you're going to get cancer, basal cell (squamous cell) is the one to get -- it's almost as slow as prostate cancer. And it is treated on an out-patient basis over the course of maybe three or four treatments. (I had two scalpel sessions and one follow up for suture removal.)

About six years ago I was diagnosed with BCC on the right side of my nose. The first Mohs session was to excise the affected area which was a bit smaller than a dime. The procedure requires the doctor to remove the growth plus some healthy tissue and then submit it for immediate biopsy. If the tissue around the tumor is clear you'll be cleaned up with some skin "stretcher" material under the surrounding area. You'll be sent home with a pound of bandages on your face and then return, maybe a week to 10 days later.

For me, the second procedure consisted of a three inch incision from my nose to below my right lip and chin area -- following a facial crease. The skin is then pulled up toward the area where the tumor was removed and stitched in to fill the "hole." Cartilage from my ear was removed and sewn inside my nostril for cosmetic support. My right side lips were pulled down, realigning a horizontal appearance to the lips. Once again, I was bandaged up and I was to return three weeks later. All the while undressing and redressing the area, cleansing with mild soap and zinc ointment on a daily basis.

On the last appointment all the stitches were removed -- a hundred fifty of them, or so -- ear, nose, cheek. The surgical area was inspected and I was given a box of large, rectangular bandages and a tube of Bacitracin and it was requested that I make a quick return if I wasn't happy with the healing process. I was fine and that was my last visit to that doctor. FYI: Very little sensitivity will return to the area -- it will look fine but you'll always have a tinge of numbness around it.

Bottom line -- the cosmetic appearance of my face looks quite natural unless looking closer than 12" or so. My right nostril is slightly flatter and the scar is slightly visible. The patched area has skin tone that matches its surroundings, ergo the benefit of Mohs. The old method would have patched up the tumor area with a skin graft from the back of the leg or torso -- never matching the final color.

Anyway, Mohs surgery may take some extra time but the results are well worth the effort. Good luck.

[Bicycle Bill]

At this point I don't know whether I should stay up on December 31st to see the New Year in .....

Or to make sure that the old year leaves.

-"BB"-

[Lord Jim]

Reynolds, 84, a leading lady in Hollywood musicals and comedies including Singin' in the Rain, passed away hours after being rushed to the Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles after suffering a stroke, her son, Todd Fisher, said.

"She's now with Carrie and we're all heartbroken," he said from the hospital.

He said the stress of his sister's death "was too much" for Reynolds. "She said, 'I want to be with Carrie'," Mr Fisher added. "And then she was gone."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12 ... suspected/

At this point I don't know whether I should stay up on December 31st to see the New Year in .....

Or to make sure that the old year leaves.

-"BB"-

Amen...

[Econoline]

http://www.twisteddoodles.com/post/1550 ... rie-fisher

[Big RR]

2016, thankfully, there are only two more days remaining.

As for Ms. Reynolds, a friend who lost a child said it was the greatest pain he and his wife ever had; I can't imagine it at 84. Rest in Peace.