Rod Mahmoudizad, MD

I have been a sun lover and seeker of a beautiful Golden tan my whole life. I admit to using tanning beds in my younger years. I found a patch on my forehead that I thought was a fungal infection about 1 year ago. Tried treating at home for about 6 weeks with no resolution. My pcp also tried a topical but was clear if after 2 weeks no improvement that I would need to see a dermatologist. So time passed and nothing improved. Went to the dermatologist. She was concerned about being over zealous and doing a biopsy smack in the middle of my head without first trying more topical ointments so we did. A few months later I tried and oral antigungal called Turbinafine. When that didn’t help and I was so aggravated with this we agree to do a biopsy. 10 days later I received a call that it was skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma. Here’s my journey I hope I can help someone who is facing this scary diagnosis.

Updated on 3 Mar 2018:
First, I went to my dermatology surgeon who made an outline where the cuts would begin. He made the fist cut and we waited about 45 min for him to look under the microscope to see if there was a need for a further cutting. When the dr returned he confirmed the entire sample was positive for cancer all the way around so we had to do a second cut. After the second cut, we waited again 45 min. This time Thank God! The Dr said I was all clear!! No more cutting!! I was bandaged and sent to see the plastic surgeon so he could make a plan for reconstruction. The following day I went to the OR to have the plastic surgeon stitch me up nicely. The wound had to be changed from the circular shape seen to more of a long football shape for closure purposes. I am happy so far with what has been done. It was very scary and believe the Drs involved with my care did the very best I could have asked for.

Updated on 3 Mar 2018:


Updated on 3 Mar 2018:
My whole head is swollen today. My tongue is partially numb. I have some slight bruising by the eyes.

Updated on 6 Mar 2018:
Today I went to see the plastic surgeon for a follow up. He said everything is looking really nice. He had the nurse remove my stitches. There was no pain. She was so gentle and sweet. He places some small strips over the incision which will remain for about 4-5 days. Then he also gave me some scar cream called cimeosil. I will start that on Sunday. The outlook is great he said things will start to flatten and the redness will go away with time.

Updated on 7 Mar 2018:
I got this from Dr Kent Davis. He is a facial plastic surgeon who is taking great care of me.

Updated on 9 Mar 2018:
Here I am today and I couldn’t be more thrilled with my progress. I’m so grateful for the team that put me back together again. It makes such a difference when you are surrounded by people who genuinely care and are informative. I hope if anyone is facing this like I was that God will bless you with the same care I received.

Updated on 13 Mar 2018:
I had a lump of swelling at the top of my incision. I was concerned about infection but it turns out there was a stitch left in that my body was rejecoand pushing out. Amazing.

Updated on 19 Mar 2018:
I have to say I am amazed everyday by how things are coming along. I see improvements each day. I have finally shed my little scabby at the top of my incision. I’ve also been running a low grade fever like 99.1-100.3. My nose at the top is twisty -will it go back? I had my appointment today for check up. I am doing great per Dr Davis. He said yes my nose will flatten out. He wants to do dermabrasion to minimize scarring. The bump is also going to go down and although he doesn’t see signs of infection he wants me to finish the antibiotic from the back up dr last week. Hope you are all doing well.

Updated on 31 Mar 2018:
So thankful it’s been almost a month since surgery. I have so much hope I will once again recognize myself in the mirror soon. Everyday I can see a tiny change. My eyes are just pulled so close together I feel like I have sad eyes now. I’m trusting that with time I will be me again. I love you all and send big hugs to anyone facing a skin cancer diagnosis. It’s is scary but you know what? I am feeling so much more alive now. It’s crazy. I’m not taking anything for granted so I take this as a blessing in disguise. Happy Easter and blessings to you all.

Updated on 5 Apr 2018:
I think I see something on my nose. I’m so sad now. It’s terrifying how many of these things could possibly pop up. I am afraid I may end up looking like a patchwork quilt. Tuesday can not get here fast enough. Pray for me, please.

Updated on 10 Apr 2018:
So today I had my appointment for another full scan. I showed the Dr my nose and thank God! She said it is nothing that alarms her. The rest of my body checked out well too. I am so relieved. Thank you to everyone who called my fears last week. This has really turned me into a paranoid person. Hope you all are doing well today.

Updated on 10 Apr 2018:
My Dr also recommended a different scar treatment called srataderm gel. So I’m going to try that too. She could tell my scar was bothering me and told me not to worry that if it doesn’t fade like she wants it we will do laser or microneedling and it will just about vanish. She made me feel so confident that I won’t forever look like this.

Updated on 16 Apr 2018:
Today I went to the plastic surgeon for a check up. He wanted to give me a steroid shot on the chunky part near my eyebrow and upper nose. He said he believes this is going to help flatten that part out and also help my nose where it twist. We will see. Fingers crossed. He also wants me back next we for scar revision. He is going to open my scar again at the top and stitch it back up again. This is to get a finer closer. So I’ll be back in stitches next week.

Updated on 18 Apr 2018:
I can definitely feel a huge decrease in the scar mass that was injected with steroid on Monday!!! I am so thrilled! My nose skin is still twisted though. I’m holding on to hope that with time my skin stretches more and it will lay flat.

Updated on 28 Apr 2018:
Hello! Yesterday I went to my plastic surgeon and he did the scar revision for me. I couldn’t feel a thing. He and his lovely nurse talked to me the whole time. Made me super comfortable. I have my stitches back in at the top portion where my scar was not as fine as we wanted. I go back on Wednesday to take off the stitches and get another steroid shot at the thick part by my nose. I’m very blessed to have the Doctors I do around me. Hope you all are doing well.

Updated on 2 May 2018:
Today my stitches were removed. I also was given another steroid shot to improve the area between my eyebrows. So far things are looking good. I need to make a correction. On my last updates I mentioned swelling due to a Stitch that wasn’t removed. But, that was incorrect. It was actually a dissolvable stitch that my body rejected and spit out. My Dr said he did use a different type of dissolvable stitch on this revision. I am really hoping my body won’t reject it so my scar will be nice an tight this time. I have some small bandages on for the next few days but I’ll post better pics when I take them off. Bless you all.

Updated on 2 Sep 2018:
I have really made great progress physically and mentally. I am very pleased with what my reconstructive surgeon has been able to accomplish. I really need to do a review for him alone he is fantastic. So I feel like I’m good if this is the best it will get I’m happy.