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Do I only need a support person to pick me up after MOHS surgery?

Posted by pjs7 @pjs7, Sep 16 11:04am

I will be having a MOHS surgery for squamous cell carcinoma in a couple of weeks (I will be traveling alone) and the information I’ve received says to have a support person/companion with you through the procedure. But when I talked to Quality Care they said I really only need to have someone to pick me up when I’m done and that I can arrive for the surgery by myself. I’m fine with that but I just want to be sure that’s ok and they don’t cancel the procedure when I show up alone. Has anyone else had a similar experience or know if this is ok?
Thank you.

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pjs7 | @pjs7 | 3 days ago
In reply to @colleenyoung "@pjs7, that sounds like an overall great outcome. I bet it must've been stressful to have..." + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@pjs7, that sounds like an overall great outcome. I bet it must've been stressful to have surgery postponed because of a spike in blood pressure. That alone is enough to increase the blood pressure (bad joke). Like you, I'm glad that the precautions were in place to keep you safe and that surgery went ahead a week later.

Do you continue follow-up with a cardiologist or PCP to monitor the blood pressure? Has it returned to normal or is this a new health issue?

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@colleenyoung It really was stressful to have the surgery postponed. I even had to go to the ER at St. Mary’s right after they cancelled the surgery because they were concerned when my bp stayed so elevated! But I was able to get back home for an appointment with my provider and get medication right away to get my blood pressure lowered. And I’ve had follow-up appointments and things seem to be steady for now. I had noticed my blood pressure creeping up some over the past few years but had never had a reading above about 140 so it was pretty upsetting when all this happened. I do go back to Mayo the end of November for a full body check and I’m praying I don’t have any other cancerous moles but at least I know what the MOHS surgery is all about and know I can handle it if I do.

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steve161 | @steve161 | 3 days ago

My experience with a dozen or more Mohs procedures hasn't required me to bring along a support person, but the fragile state of health you seem to be in right now probably wouldn't be a bad choice just in case someone needed to answer some health questions. My hope you get the care you need...

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Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | 3 days ago
In reply to @pjs7 "@colleenyoung Everything went well but the first time I showed up for my surgery my blood..." + (show)
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@colleenyoung Everything went well but the first time I showed up for my surgery my blood pressure had spiked to 200 over something and I wasn’t able to have the surgery. They rescheduled it for a week later and I was able to get some medication for my blood pressure. I’d never had readings that high and even though I was given about an hour for it to go down it just wouldn’t budge. But I was glad to learn it had running very high and was able to address that too. The surgeon was able to get the cancer removed in one pass so that was nice. And then the service I had lined up (Quality Care) worked out really well. When I came out to the waiting room I called the number I had been given and a very pleasant woman arrived within 15 minutes and took me by wheelchair back to my room at the Kahler Inn and Suites. She even said that if I needed any other help with anything up to 6:00 pm she could come back which I thought was really nice.

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@pjs7 I am glad your stressful experience turned out so well in the end (I read all of your posts). Procedures, doing something for the first time, postponing etc creates still more stress. Vicious circle. Even though this discussion is about visiting Mayo Clinic, I would like to share that my BP always increases from my normal 116/64 to 125/70 range readings to something higher. Had dental surgery last Monday, lots of Novocain for a back tooth removal, BP was around 180/80, something very abnormal. Stress and fear will do that. Your account of your positive experience on surgery day will be valuable to others.

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Susan, Volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | 3 days ago
In reply to @pjs7 "@colleenyoung Everything went well but the first time I showed up for my surgery my blood..." + (show)
Profile picture for pjs7 @pjs7

@colleenyoung Everything went well but the first time I showed up for my surgery my blood pressure had spiked to 200 over something and I wasn’t able to have the surgery. They rescheduled it for a week later and I was able to get some medication for my blood pressure. I’d never had readings that high and even though I was given about an hour for it to go down it just wouldn’t budge. But I was glad to learn it had running very high and was able to address that too. The surgeon was able to get the cancer removed in one pass so that was nice. And then the service I had lined up (Quality Care) worked out really well. When I came out to the waiting room I called the number I had been given and a very pleasant woman arrived within 15 minutes and took me by wheelchair back to my room at the Kahler Inn and Suites. She even said that if I needed any other help with anything up to 6:00 pm she could come back which I thought was really nice.

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@pjs7: My husband has "white coat syndrome". His BP can be perfectly fine but as soon as a medical professional walks into a room, watch out systolic! Hopefully this was just a temporary blip for you and all will return for normal soon.

This was the first I learned about Quality Care so I appreciate your sharing about that service. How did you - and are you - feeling physically after the procedure?

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pjs7 | @pjs7 | 5 hours ago
In reply to @grammato3 "@pjs7: My husband has "white coat syndrome". His BP can be perfectly fine but as soon..." + (show)
Profile picture for Susan, Volunteer Mentor @grammato3

@pjs7: My husband has "white coat syndrome". His BP can be perfectly fine but as soon as a medical professional walks into a room, watch out systolic! Hopefully this was just a temporary blip for you and all will return for normal soon.

This was the first I learned about Quality Care so I appreciate your sharing about that service. How did you - and are you - feeling physically after the procedure?

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@grammato3I am doing well. Thank you for asking. I am taking a blood pressure med now and probably will need to stay on that for now. My MOHS wound (or defect as they like to call it) is healing nicely but we opted for a secondary intent healing instead of stitches so it’s taking a little longer. I’m on week 4 and still apply the Vaseline twice a day. I don’t think the scar is going to be too bad. This whole thing has definitely been a learning experience! I now apply my sunscreen religiously and wear a big hat on my walks. I apologize if some of my comments have not quite fit in the “visiting Mayo” category but I have learned so much and felt so supported by all comments and I hope my sharing has helped others too. I am so glad I found this forum. You know, sometimes friends and family aren’t as supportive as you’d expect or like them to be so it’s important to have these places to discuss health issues!

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Susan, Volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | 1 hour ago
In reply to @pjs7 "@grammato3I am doing well. Thank you for asking. I am taking a blood pressure med now..." + (show)
Profile picture for pjs7 @pjs7

@grammato3I am doing well. Thank you for asking. I am taking a blood pressure med now and probably will need to stay on that for now. My MOHS wound (or defect as they like to call it) is healing nicely but we opted for a secondary intent healing instead of stitches so it’s taking a little longer. I’m on week 4 and still apply the Vaseline twice a day. I don’t think the scar is going to be too bad. This whole thing has definitely been a learning experience! I now apply my sunscreen religiously and wear a big hat on my walks. I apologize if some of my comments have not quite fit in the “visiting Mayo” category but I have learned so much and felt so supported by all comments and I hope my sharing has helped others too. I am so glad I found this forum. You know, sometimes friends and family aren’t as supportive as you’d expect or like them to be so it’s important to have these places to discuss health issues!

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@pjs7: You have definitely helped others! The healing by secondary intention is especially helpful for others to hear about.

Nothing at all to apologize for! Not even sure what you mean about visiting Mayo; in fact, many people here on the forum don't even treat at Mayo - we're equal opportunity to all who participate no matter where treatment is being rendered. Most of all, I'm so glad to hear you've felt supported here and comfortable sharing details of your journey. It's very true that those who have not traveled down similar paths have a hard time relating so being here for one another truly does help. Please continue to keep me appraised of your progress. Even once your healing has resolved, you could be a good point person for others who undergo procedures such as yours. Would that be of interest to you?

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