Opusx300

Having experienced something similar I can tell you that any discomfort will be very much temporary. You will be able to go back to using your left eye as normal within a few weeks. Please do not let your mind churn on this as that is no good and worse for you than the actual procedure and recovery. All will be fine. Good luck.

agillot

I ll bet somebody makes a sight that goes to the flash bracket that allow to aim and shoot , since you are on auto focus that would work . Some under water camera use that way of doing it .

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Usually, basal cell ca. surgery isn't a deeply invasive procedure, so given some time to heal and recover you will probably need to make no changes in your approach to photography.

W9OD Loc: Wisconsin

Hope your procedure goes well and the recovery is fast. 🙏🙏

photoman43

Right now just focus on getting rid of the skin cancer. The camera issues will resolve themselves if and when they become an issue. I have had basal cell cancers removed from my nose, ear, cheek and face with Mohs and they have not had any impact on my photography.

Hip Coyote

I think you are getting a bit ahead of yourself on this.

You have basal cell skin cancer, which is typically non-life threatening (not always, of course). I had it on my hand. It was nothing. (I also had a serious cancer...whole different matter.) As others stated, with Mohs they cut off where they think the cancer is, and while you are in the office, they exam the tissue to make sure they got it all. And if not, they go back and cut some more off. My father in law had Mohs many times on his face and ears. He got a bit hacked up but it always healed after a few weeks and that was that. He did this well in to his 80s. Tuff guy for sure. So what? You will be down a few weeks, at worst, I'd imagine. Unless you are a model, you won't be out of work more than a few days, if that.

Re the eye dominance. If you had to change eyes, so what if it feels weird? Get used to it. I was in law enforcement and detached a retina in my dominant eye...so my shooting eye had to change for several years. This was a very challenging problem. That was not some stroll around a garden and take photos problem. I learned to shoot with my non-dominant eye. I had to. So, if you have to change eyes, go change eyes and move on. In other words, "cowboy up."

Re: cancer...do not get spun up on the word. The word cancer is inaccurate. It should be "cancers." There are many types will all kinds of manifestations and treatments. You absolutely have to learn about the ailment from reliable and bonafide sources such as Mayo, UCLA, etc. You want to know (almost) as much as physicians. You need to intelligently discuss lab results, treatments, studies, meds, etc. You should be able to give a one or two minute presentation to anyone on what your ailment is, treatment and potential outcomes. This makes you informed and keeps you grounded. Doctors are my consultants, not my lords. We are partners in my treatment. Keep copies of all labs for when and if you need consults elsewhere. You get cancer, it is game time and no time to get wobbly and sell camera gear. There may be a time for that but you're not there now.

Sorry to be blunt, but, this is my experience.

Jomisamson

Yes, what MJ said - besides, docs usually like to quote worst case scenarios- if things actually go that far, they’re considered “good” because they were accurate. If things turn out better than “expected,” everyone is happy! I survived a late 4th stage cancer 10 years ago - just recently, the doc said at one point that “I sure fooled a lot of people.” I guess that’s one way of saying: Think positive, if I can do it, so can you. And I have generally found that if the desire is there, there is usually a “work-around” for what or how you used to do something.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

First, I hope it is all basically surface cancer and removable without much side affects.

If not, you still have a life to live. No matter what the adversity, and no matter how much we are forced to deal with or give up, one should take what is left and continue on. One should not fear death, but fear that we have not really lived. Not living the life we were given is far, far worse than dying.

Assuming the lost of an eye, a photographer's worse torture, you brain will accommodate that loss and eventually you will become right eyed.

Being left eyed also, I wish you positive results from your MRI.

lindmike

I've had two cancers removed from the left side of my nose. MOHS surgery to remove cancer then reconstructive surgery then dermabrasion to smooth everything out. Didn't affect my ability to do anything.

Good luck

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I had Moh's surgery, and it quickly healed just fine.

Jomisamson

And what Hip Coyote said (especially the last paragraph) (I’ve had a couple of Basal Cell removed from my head too) - be your own best advocate, do your research and be proactive- you are not a helpless victim here - get “mad” & “fight” back

Old Coot

I had the same thing in the same position. My dermatologist cut it out and you cannot see a scar and with no effect on the use of my eye.
Good luck

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Well the bad news is you have been diagnosed with Big C. The good news is that one grows slowly and
“The 5-year relative survival for BCC is 100%. This means that, on average, all of the people diagnosed with BCC are just as likely to live at least 5 years after their diagnosis as people in the general population.”
Source: https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/skin-non-melanoma/prognosis-and-survival/survival-statistics#:~:text=The%205%2Dyear%20relative%20survival,people%20in%20the%20general%20population.

willaim Loc: Sunny Southern California

Basal cell skin cancer is very common. I had that on my nose and the dermatologist removed it. The basal cell, not my nose. Infact, I had a couple of regions on my body that had that and was removed. As for using your right eye, you'll get used to it or use the LCD screen until you'll be able to use the viewfinder. And NO, you don't have to give up photography.