Monday, August 6, 2018

Wednesday, May 14, 2017
Day 34 post op
I went to my second post op appointment with Dr. Smith.  He said my nose looks better than he'd expected!  He used a swab to swab off the areas that were still a bit crusty or scabby.  He said to keep doing exactly what I've been doing and, then, when my entire nose is new, pink skin, to discontinue the Desitin and just keep my nose well-lotioned.  He reiterated that whenever I'm in the sun, to wear a hat and keep the sun off my nose.  I asked if a white covering of zinc oxide (like the surfers used to use years ago) would do the trick.  He said that would be perfect.  He wants to see me again is six weeks or so.




Thursday, December 14, 2017
8 months post op




I had noticed a new small rhinophyma nodule growing on the margin of my left nostril.  I made an appointment with Dr. Smith.  He deadened the area and shaved it off.  He then cauterized it.  Dr. Smith said it might not be a "new" instance of rhinophyma, but merely a small area that was missed during the initial surgery that had continued to grow.

I have had trouble breathing through my nose, both when sleeping and when playing tennis.  The sides of my nostrils tend to collapse when I inhale.  Breathe-Right strips help with tennis, but I commonly wake up with an extremely dry mouth. Also, the frequency and necessity of blowing my nose has changed significantly since the healing process was complete.  I must constantly carry tissues in my pocket and must blow my nose many times each day, often with little in the way of results.


Monday, August 6, 2018
16 months post op

I have had no additional nodule growths.  The problem with breathing through my mouth when sleeping and playing tennis has mostly abated.  It seems the walls of my nostrils have hardened somewhat and are resisting collapse when I inhale.  Also, my need for frequent nose-blowing has lessened.  Typically, I'll blow my nose when I get up in the morning and perhaps a time or two later in the day. 



Monday, May 8, 2017

Monday, May 1, 2017
Day 21 post op



Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Day 22 post op


Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Day 23 post op

I went to my second post op appointment with Dr. Smith.  He said my nose looks better than he'd expected!  He used a swab to swab off the areas that were still a bit crusty or scabby.  He said to keep doing exactly what I've been doing and, then, when my entire nose is new, pink skin, to discontinue the Desitin and just keep my nose well-lotioned.  He reiterated that whenever I'm in the sun, to wear a hat and keep the sun off my nose.  I asked if a white covering of zinc oxide (like the surfers used to use years ago) would do the trick.  He said that would be perfect.  He wants to see me again is six weeks or so.


Somehow, I neglected to take pictures today.

Thursday, May 4, 2017
Day 24 post op


Friday, May 5, 2017
Day 25 post op



Saturday, May 6, 2017
Day 26 post op



I again missed taking pictures. But here's a picture of my setup for washing my nose.

Sunday, May 7, 2017
Day 27 post op

 

Monday, May 8, 2017
Day 28 post op


Sunday, April 30, 2017

Friday, April 28, 2017
Day 18 post op
 



Saturday, April 29, 2017
Day 19 post op
 
The reason for the squinting in these pictures is that it snowed heavily at my house. The window that I stand in front of looks out on a very, very bright, snowy landscape!

Sunday, April 30, 2017
Day 20 post op

 
I made an animated gif image of the daily progress so far. If you reload this page (press F5 on a Windows machine), it should re-start. Or, you may have to click on it to start it.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Friday, April 21, 2017
Day 11 post op


The red mark on the underside of my nose is not a scab or lesion. It's just "ooze" that had run down from the top of my nose. I didn't realize it was there before I took the pictures or I would have wiped it off.




Saturday, April 22, 2017
Day 12 post op





Sunday, April 23, 2017
Day 13 post op





Monday, April 24, 2017
Day 14 post op





 I've noticed that when I walk through a store, people will stare fixedly at my nose as long as I'm not looking at them. Whenever I glance at them, they immediately look away. The exception, of course, is children. They just keep staring.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Day 15 post op





Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Day 16 post op



Thursday, April 27, 2017
Day 17 post op




 


The last couple of days, but particularly today, my nose has looked much more healed. There is new, pink skin visible where there used to be scabby sections. I'm pretty excited by this! I think the "end" is in sight!