CNB MEDICAL: Another Cancer Removed from my Body
Thursday, June 05, 2025
Updated/corrected
Here's a glimpse of my skull post-surgery! I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Mixed Superficial and Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma, I’m feeling hopeful and positive about the healing process! Below, you can see my stitches.
William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNews)(June 5, 2025)--Throughout my remarkable 57-year career as a journalist, I’ve had the privilege of reporting on a variety of events that reveal the excitement of being a journalist in a small community.
Allow me to share a few highlights:
- -The passionate roar of Longshoremen as they picketed outside the imposing Holt Terminal in Gloucester City. Sheriff Officers on horseback kept the two sides apart as the Teamsters drove through the Longshoremen's picket lines, their bold signs waving defiantly in the wind.
-A chilling demonstration by the Ku Klux Klan at the intersection of North Broadway and Essex Street, where men dressed in their stark white robes and hoods cast an eerie shadow over the pavement. One KKK member yelled to this reporter, after being interviewed, "If you misquote me, I will burn down your office building."
- There was excitement in the air as President Jimmy Carter made a visit to Gloucester City during his campaign for a second term, and his presence was a beacon of hope and promise for many in our community.
- Eco-warriors from Greenpeace suspending a bold banner over a discharge pipe in the Delaware River, glaringly evident as it spewed toxic chemicals into the Delaware River from the notorious New Jersey Zinc Chemical Plant in Southport—a powerful image of the fight for environmental justice. Their ship crashed through the waves as they tried to escape the Coast Guard, who were there to arrest them.
- The tragic aftermath of a brutal attack, where a Gloucester City resident lost his life in the parking lot of the Zodiac Bar, the chilling echo of sirens and the vigil of grief that followed.
- The heartbreaking tale of a Pagan Motorcycle Club member from Gloucester City, whose life was cut short in a violent skirmish at the corner of Market and Atlantic Streets, leaving his club members and his family in mourning.
- The bombing in the early morning hours of a Gay Pride gym that proudly flew the group's flag in the bay window of the building.
These snapshots represent just a fraction of the stories I’ve poured my heart into as a reporter over the decades.
Now, at the age of 80, I find myself focusing my writing on a profoundly personal journey—navigating my medical challenges. A bout with kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and lung diseases are just some of the stories I have shared with those who are frequent visitors to CNBNews. Many of the people who visit our site are senior citizens who appreciate these candid reflections, often relating their experiences to mine. Just recently, an elderly gentleman approached me, eagerly requesting that I write a story about the unfortunate mishap he incurred while trimming the nose hair from his nostrils.
Before I drift too far from my current narrative, let me share the details of my latest surgery. During our annual visit to our dermatologist, Dr. Kym D’Ambra, in January, she noticed a suspicious spot on my scalp. There’s an unmistakable gravity when she retrieves that antique magnifying glass from deep within her white coat pocket. Every attentive gaze hints at something potentially serious. She removed a piece of the spot and sent it to the lab to be analyzed. A sidenote, when Kym was just a toddler, Connie babysat her. Her parents, Donnie and Joann, have been our friends for 60 years.
The biopsy results revealed that the spot on my head was, alas, cancerous. It makes one wonder if the cancerous cell came about from lying on the beach when I was a teenager without sunscreen. Or did it come about because I didn't wear a hat on my ballhead during my walks with Peyton? In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, we were led to believe that a dark tan was a sign of being healthy. Coopertone was one of the biggest offenders of this mistruth.
Initially, surgery was set for March, but with a trip planned for April, I harbored fears that complications might force us to cancel our plans. Thus, the surgery was rescheduled for May 14, a date circled on my calendar, carrying the weight of both concern and resolve.
Dr. D'Ambra highly recommended Mark Abdelmalek, MD, for the surgery, and I am glad she did.
According to the literature found on the internet, he is a highly regarded skin cancer surgeon and ABC News reporter. He is dual board-certified in Mohs Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery and Dermatology. He founded the Dermatology of Philadelphia | Mohs Surgery Center, which opened in Philadelphia in 2020. As a board-certified and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, he specializes in the precise surgical removal of skin cancer and expert reconstruction.
The doctor also has an office in Voorhees, NJ, on Evesham Road, where I elected to have my outpatient surgery. It was pouring buckets that day, so I left home at 7:30 AM to allow time for traffic on Route 295. My appointment was at 9 AM, and the office staff asked that I arrive by 8:40 AM to fill out paperwork. Once that was done, Kaithlin, Dr. Mark's assistant, took me into the operating room and seated me in a chair similar to what you would see in a dentist's office. She was exceptionally pleasant and thorough, and explained what was about to happen in detail. I like to ask a person if they like their job. My reason is that it gives me the chance to analyze the mindset of the individual. When asked that question, Kaithlin said she loved her job and especially liked working for Dr. Mark." I was pleased with her response.
In the past year, Dr. Mark removed three skin cancers from my wife's face. Connie assured me I wouldn't feel a thing, to relax. She especially praised Dr. Mark for his bedside manner and skill. Always emphasizing that after each of those surgeries, she was amazed how fast the wound healed and how you could hardly see the scar
Shortly after 9 AM, Dr. Mark walked into the room wearing a surgical mask, ready to tackle the day. While the surgery didn’t take long, I found myself eagerly awaiting the examination results of the cancerous tissue before heading home. As he gently made an incision in my scalp, he asked with genuine curiosity, "So, what does an 80-year-old man do now that he's retired?" I beamed with pride and shared, "I'm still working hard! I own and edit a 24/7 news blog that I founded back in 2006." To my delight, he responded, "Oh, I’m a journalist too! I’ve spent 15 years with ABC Network News."
By 9:30 AM, I was in the waiting room, optimistic as they prepared to analyze the tumor. Around 11 AM, I was summoned back for another examination, and Dr. Mark expertly took another slice for testing. By about 1 PM, I was back in that familiar chair while he began stitching up the incision he had skillfully made to remove the cancer.
The report indicated that the lesion was a mixed superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma located on my right frontal scalp. It took around 18 to 20 stitches to close the incision, but the great news is that today, June 5, you can hardly tell there was ever an issue—kudos to Dr. Mark!
I was genuinely impressed by his remarkable skill and energy. Watching him dash from one surgical room to the next, he reminded me of the Energizer Bunny in those commercials! He maintained a relaxed demeanor throughout, which only added to my confidence in his abilities. When I discovered he was also an award-winning journalist, I was in awe. You’d think being a surgeon would keep anyone busy enough!
I’m hopeful and optimistic about staying skin cancer-free for the rest of my life. However, if I ever need to face another skin cancer challenge, there’s no doubt I would want Dr. Mark Abdelmalek by my side for the surgery!