I don't mean to sound over dramatic, but I kind of feel like a dodged a bullet today. I couldn't be more relieved.
Today I had an appointment with a dermatologist. I have this mole on my abdomen, near the bra line. Over the years, it has grown and although it has kept a circular shape there is a variation in coloring. This past winter, I asked my PCP to take a look at it and she did. She said to her it looked fine, but added on that she wasn't the expert. She referred me to a specialist and that was as far as that went. I have no idea why I never went. I'm guessing it was time or laziness... probably both.
In September a colleague of mine told me that she had to have a mole removed because it was precancerous. This particular mole was one that was almost identical to one that I have, not on my abdomen, but on my thigh. I remember laughing and commenting on how we like that mole on our leg when we noticed we share that commonality this spring. However, I wasn't laughing anymore. What I realized was how stupid I was for not having gone to see a dermatologist in the winter.
So today was my day. I actually had three that I wanted to get checked out. Today was a day that I had been somewhat dreading for the past week since I made the appointment. I wanted to stay positive, but the truth is... I had no idea what the outcome would be from my visit. I, of course, was hoping for the best. But you just never know. Cancer doesn't care who you are, how old you are, or that you are the sole care taker for your child. It doesn't discriminate.
So when the doctor told me that all three looked just fine, I couldn't help but to hold back tears. Tears of relief. I told her how scary it was to come in not knowing what the findings could have been. She told me that I should come back in a year, just so that two of them can be measured and monitored. But she reassured me that I had nothing to worry about with those moles at this point in my life.
Phew... I am so happy and thankful that I was given a clean bill of health today. I know that is not the case for everyone... whether its cancer or some other ailing disease. So not only am I happy and thankful. I feel very lucky too.
Today I had an appointment with a dermatologist. I have this mole on my abdomen, near the bra line. Over the years, it has grown and although it has kept a circular shape there is a variation in coloring. This past winter, I asked my PCP to take a look at it and she did. She said to her it looked fine, but added on that she wasn't the expert. She referred me to a specialist and that was as far as that went. I have no idea why I never went. I'm guessing it was time or laziness... probably both.
In September a colleague of mine told me that she had to have a mole removed because it was precancerous. This particular mole was one that was almost identical to one that I have, not on my abdomen, but on my thigh. I remember laughing and commenting on how we like that mole on our leg when we noticed we share that commonality this spring. However, I wasn't laughing anymore. What I realized was how stupid I was for not having gone to see a dermatologist in the winter.
So today was my day. I actually had three that I wanted to get checked out. Today was a day that I had been somewhat dreading for the past week since I made the appointment. I wanted to stay positive, but the truth is... I had no idea what the outcome would be from my visit. I, of course, was hoping for the best. But you just never know. Cancer doesn't care who you are, how old you are, or that you are the sole care taker for your child. It doesn't discriminate.
So when the doctor told me that all three looked just fine, I couldn't help but to hold back tears. Tears of relief. I told her how scary it was to come in not knowing what the findings could have been. She told me that I should come back in a year, just so that two of them can be measured and monitored. But she reassured me that I had nothing to worry about with those moles at this point in my life.
Phew... I am so happy and thankful that I was given a clean bill of health today. I know that is not the case for everyone... whether its cancer or some other ailing disease. So not only am I happy and thankful. I feel very lucky too.
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