Hi my name is Sheralyn. Many people outside of my family and a few friends may not be aware that I’ve been battling a serious medical issue for the past two months with more to come. I tried to keep it as private as possible due to the impact it’s caused me physically & emotionally but unfortunately I’ve realized I have to put my pride to the side and ask for help. I apologize for how lengthy my story is but when I tell you it’s been the worse two months of my life, I mean every word.
Started October 16th I was treated by a dermatologist for a small bump on my nose. A biopsy was taken to rule out skin cancer. I was given antibiotics to treat as the results were benign but positive for an infection. I returned a week later as the bump continued to grow and antibiotics weren’t helping. My dermatologist did another biopsy, injected the bump with cortisone and continued antibiotics. Over the next couple weeks I reached out to their office multiple times concerned as the bump continued to become larger spreading now close to my eye. I also had a lot of inflammation, redness and swelling. The second biopsy was inconclusive so I was given a new antibiotic to try. At this point they truly didn’t know what it was.
On November 12th I went to ER as my symptoms continued to worsen. I was admitted and inpatient for seven days on IV antibiotics, had a CT/MRI and daily lab work to determine what I was dealing with or what may have caused this bump. They felt I possibly was bit by a spider that became infected from the biopsies previously done. Hospital surgery team declined to remove the bump since it was still “infected” and did not want to risk spreading. I was discharged with multiple oral antibiotics, no improvement on my symptoms and diagnosed with cellulitis.
After reviewing hospital paperwork, it was discovered Infectious Disease was never consulted during my admission. I got an appt within two days and had bloodwork done to rule out fungal or autoimmune disease specifically Lupus. I was given another new antibiotic and referred to an ENT. At the ENT appt I was told he felt the cellulitis diagnosis was incorrect from hospital admission and due to the rapid growth he was leaning towards cancer. They referred me to a plastic surgeon who specializes in facial reconstructive surgery with cancer patients for a second opinion. Two days later I see the plastic surgeon and literally left in tears from the words I was told. He strongly felt it was cancer, would require emergency surgery to remove, will leave me with deformities on my nose/face based on size and would require reconstructive surgery after any treatment if needed was complete and/or healed.
Day before Thanksgiving I have emergency surgery to remove the bump that now covers entire left side of my nose. Surgeon said it was a large mass/tumor removed and would request a large number of stains to determine what it is. I’m in the hospital again for eight days on IV antibiotics, left side of my nose is left “empty” and now wound dressings must be done twice a day. I couldn’t look in the mirror or change the dressing I was too scared to see what it looked like. As results started to come in they found I had two separate skin bacterial infections deep in the tissue layers but mostly everything else negative. Surgeon was adamant he needed the “final” pathology report before he confirmed as he prepared me that lymphoma was a strong possibility.
December 10th I had my weekly followup with the surgeon who finally received the final report. Guess what?! Negative for lymphoma and all cancer. Glory to God!
He believes the only thing that could’ve started this is a severe rosacea flare up which I currently still had redness, swelling and inflammation on my cheek up to my eye next to what he already removed of my nose.
Today December 17th I had a second surgery to clean out the wound and shave off layers of my cheek with hopes this will speed up the healing process. Once fully healed, the reconstructive part can start which will consist of two separate surgeries months apart.
I’ve never felt so scared and deflated as I have during this time. Months of appt after appt with multiple doctors who have no answer of what it is or how to treat, antibiotic after antibiotic, two hospital admissions, two surgeries, nose deformity and two more surgeries to come in 2026.
All of this has not only taken a toll on me physically and mentally but now most of all financially. I’ve been unable to work and will remain off without pay through rest of year. I know times are tight for many especially around the holidays so please simply say a prayer or share if you are unable to donate.
Thank you to everyone who read my story, said a prayer, shared the link or made a donation. I truly appreciate it❤️