Skin Graft/Coping with Changes in Appearance

Posted by bailey457 @bailey457, Aug 27 10:45am

Hi! I'm a new cancer patient, 29yo and diagnosed with myxofibrosarcoma April of this year. In July I had surgery to remove a tumor on my left thigh/knee area. I am healing well but I have a very large skin graft and a big depression on my leg where the tumor and surrounding area was carved out. I was not too concerned with how surgery would affect my appearance beforehand, partly because there didn't seem to be a point in thinking about it too much. Now that the surgery is over I am able to think about it more and I am feeling self conscious about my leg. I know it will continue to heal and look more "normal" but I would really love any advice you have that has helped you adapt to changes in your appearance because of cancer or dealing with stares/invasive questions from strangers. Thanks so much in advance!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Support Group.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Aug 29 7:56am

Good morning, Bailey. Dealing with cancer at any age is rough and it can leave us with physical as well as mental scars. At 29, you’re supposed to be breezing through your life with just the daily challenges that are a normal part of anyone’s life.
Instead, you’ve been on quite an epic cancer journey and it left you with battle scars to prove your mettle. There should be no shame in the scars of what you’ve had to go through, endure and overcome to even be alive to tell the tale.
However, I also know that people can be too curious, rude, judgmental and intrusive. I’ve been on the receiving end of that! The side-eye glance is always a popular move and there will always be the nosy Parker who asks way too many questions. It’s up to you if you want to share that intimate part of your life with them.

There’s just way too much emphasis put on perfection with our bodies. Especially women. Being a ‘woman of age’ myself, now at 70, there is little that bothers me anymore. Every scar, wrinkle, blemish is now part of my history, my story, my odyssey. The scar on your leg has become yours. Own it! You can’t change it, so be proud of your endurance. You are now a lady of intrigue and mystery. Hold your head high when you walk and wear that slight smirk of defiance! How you came by that scar, the story behind it…well, that belongs to you…no explanations necessary.

My favorite saying, which I live by: What other people think about you is none of your business. ☺️

With your surgery for myxofibrosarcoma, did you also require any chemo or radiation?