In 2008 I saw a dermatologist, who biopsied a red spot on my face and determined that it was a basal cell cancer. She prescribed some medicine that eventually shrank the carcinoma, so it left a smaller hole when she hacked it out of my face. She didn’t actually “hack” it out; she skillfully removed it with surgical precision, but I say that she hacked it out because her name is Dr. Hackett.
Dr. Hackett moved away and I never saw her again after my surgery. She had a lasting influence on me, however, because she impressed upon me the importance of applying sunblock to my face every day, whether the sun is shining or not. I took her advice to heart and obsessively smear Neutrogena SPF 55 on my skin daily, rain or shine. This protects me now, but during my 20s and 30s I spent a lot of time unprotected, tanning on a beach and fishing on a boat. My exposed past caught up with me recently, when I was diagnosed with another basal cell cancer on my face.
Basal cell cancer rarely metastasizes, but it can spread and destroy tissue, so it’s not something that anyone wants on their face. The biopsy left a prominent scar on my cheek. Soon after the biopsy, my band played an important annual gig at Jay Peak, where hundreds of enthusiastic folks packed the large hall and inspired us with positive energy. As I prepared for the event, I felt a little self-conscious about the blemish, until I remembered the musician named Seal. An accomplished singer and songwriter from England, Seal has scarring on his face caused by the disease lupus. He won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award. His three most successful songs are probably “Killer,” “Crazy,” and “Kiss From A Rose,” which was featured in the soundtrack for the movie “Batman Forever.” Seal sold more than 20 million records, was a coach on The Voice in Australia and married gorgeous supermodel Heidi Klum. To be honest, I know about all of Seal’s many accomplishments only because I looked him up in Wikipedia. Although I’d recognize his songs if I heard them, I can’t hum a few bars offhand. The thing I remember most about Seal is his facial scars. They became his trademark, and they make my biopsy scar seem totally trivial.

Michael Hahn Band varies in size from a duo to a six-piece band, depending upon the size and budget of the venue. They love to make music for any occasion. For bookings call 802-754-8889.
Upcoming Gigs:
Iron Rail in Woodsville on Thursday, February 26 from 5 to 8. This is a solo gig, just me and a guitar, so please come support me, because I’ll need all the help I can get!

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