I learned my lesson

I debated writing about this on my blog. It is personal, it isn't something I put out there for pity. I had decided I wouldn't write about it but then I stopped and thought again that I should.

I had two moles pop up pretty suddenly on my side. I had kept an eye on them and kept putting off my 6 month skin check. I always thought "I'll do it tomorrow" or "I really should get that appointment made." but never did. Suddenly one night it hit me "GO GET YOUR SKIN CHECK" but of course I had to wait since the office was closed.

I made an appointment the next day but it was 3 weeks out. I went to my Mom's house to help get things ready for my brother's farewell and somehow the topic came up and I burst into tears. I just wanted to ignore it and pretend everything was good. If I didn't go in, no one would tell me otherwise...right?

My Mom got on the phone and somehow pulled off an appointment for the next Wednesday with the other dermatologist in the office. The rest of the week was a long one. I was grateful for my brother's farewell, family in town, and plenty of things to do to keep my mind off all of it. The night before Austin left for the MTC, Josh, my Dad and Austin gave me a blessing. It was just what I needed.

The next day I met with the doctor. He asked about my previous surgery and commented on my plastic surgeon who is also in the same office. I told this dermatologist about how much I loved this doctor and what a great job he had done. His reply: "His patient happiness record is higher than mine and he has raised the bar so high here. It makes it tough." HUH?! Okay.

He ended up doing a biopsy on one of them and told me to come back in three months with the other. He also commented that spending so much time in tanning booths is not a good thing. HUH? I have NEVER been to a tanning booth. I have "layed out" THREE times in my entire lifetime. Was he blind? Could he see that my white skin doesn't tan? I didn't like being told that I did this to me. I didn't. Even if I did...a lecture? Really?!

My appointment was on a Wednesday and there would be no way to get results before the end of the week. Monday morning I called the office. The MA answered the phone and I asked if I could get my results. Her response was "You should get a letter in the mail." I am dying here people...I can't wait for mail...I wanna know! I asked if she could tell me. I don't want to play the whole "I had melanoma card" to get her to understand but she got quiet for a minute and said "well it is negative, you are fine."

I hung up the phone completely relieved.

The pathology report arrived the next day.

It said that basically that it was severely atypical and that there were some strange cells but that it was too early to confirm the presence of melanoma, but that it had been completely removed.

I am so happy it is all gone. I wonder what would have happened had it not been removed sooner. I am so glad that I got in.

So here is my soapbox.

1. Find a good doctor
2. Make your appointments early enough you don't have to go to a crap doctor (also so you don't have to have said crap doctor get to see all your bits and pieces too. One doctor for that is enough.)
3. Get your skin checked!!!
4. Wear sunscreen
 And last but not least...
5. Know your skin. If you have anything you wonder about...get in!

I am stepping off said soapbox now. :)