The other day I was in the bathroom after a shower and looked in the mirror and saw an odd freckle that I swear I had never seen before under my right arm. I mean it’s not a place that I look at often, so I have no idea how long it’s been there, but the thing was very dark, and just just looked weird. Certainly not like my other freckles. If you are asking why I am using the word freckle instead of mole, the answer is because it wasn’t raised, and I figure a mole is raised. I have never gotten a full body scan to look at my moles/freckles, so after being motivated from a friend I decided it was time to get it done. I have insurance, and my piece of mine is certainly worth the $40. Boy was I lucky I went!
I am kind of a hypochondriac, and showed my odd freckle to The Captain who pretty much told me that it was probably fine. I didn’t believe him so I went online and looked at those pictures that show you what freckles/moles are bad. I really didn’t see anything like my freckle. See the problem with easily thinking something is wrong with you is that you begin to second guess yourself. You begin thinking you are crazy and that you are over reacting. So I kind of put it out of my mind. Then the following day a friend of mine called to tell me about a weird mole that she was having checked, and I thought to myself…self….you really should just go to the dermatologist.
(TMI warning ahead!) This may sound gross, but I have some warts on my knee that I have been dying to get burned off, but every winter they kind of go away and I forget about them…and then BAM the summer comes and they are all gross. By then I don’t want red blistery burned off warts to be scene on my legs so I wait till the winter…which then in turn they go away and I forget about them again. Do you see the cycle? I digress…so I decided to use the warts as my main reason for going to the dermatologist, and my odd freckle as a secondary reason. If anything it would be good to get everything looked at. I honestly didn’t think I had anything to worry about.
So I get to the dermatologist and he looks at my odd freckle, and stops and stares…My heart skips a beat. He then tells me that he thinks it is nothing, but would like to biopsy it anyway. After that I was very scared. Biopsy?? What did that entail? I am TERRIFIED of needles and I am the biggest baby. He told me he had to give me a local anesthetic, and then he would cut it off. OUCH! ok…it really wasn’t that bad, but it did hurt. He then checked everything else, said the rest look fine and proceeded to burn off my warts (which hurt too).
About a week later the phone rings and I see its the doctors office. I was pretty surprised when it was the doctor himself calling me. Normally I feel the nurses call, so I was on alarm right away. Turns out my odd freckle really was something to worry about! I can’t remember what he called for the life of me (probably better since I totally would’ve googled it), but it was a precancerous freckle, and I needed to have more removed to make sure they get it all. OUCH! He told me not to panic, that it’s good we caught it early. Don’t panic?? Really? You just used the word CANCER in a sentence! Luckily I just spoke to a friend a few nights before who said she had like 3 precancerous moles removed and it really isn’t a big deal…so I had that in my mind. But still…it’s scary.
I remind myself how lucky I am that this time I decided to get it checked out. I like to think it’s God looking out for me. Who knows what would have happened had I waited? Now I have to go back and set a time to get more removed. It stinks because it’s right where my bra strap is under my arm, so it really hurts and rubs. (I know I am such a baby) But it must be done…I must be brave. My little dark freckle went from being odd, to precancerous….now that is scary.
So I have to send out a little PSA here…Get your moles/freckles checked regularly! You never know!
I get mine checked regularly because I had one that was pre cancer when I was 18. Ever since then I’ve worried about it!
Now I am worried too! I heard that I will have to go back every 6 months now!
Everyone needs to know the A,B,C,D,E of melanoma. As a melanoma survivor I can attest to the fact you NEED to be diligent. this link gives the warning signs for a suspicious freckle or wart. and anyone who has blonde hair and blue eyes (like me and you I think) needs to be extra careful. thanks for the post. found you on SITS btw. drop in on my blog-the welcome door is always open and i love comments.
I’m glad you went and got it checked out! I had a bump that I was worried about and finally got it evaluated. Turns out it was nothing but made me feel better to have a doctor tell me so.
It definitely is a good idea to go, and hear the news from the doctor. At least as a piece of mind..I’m so glad I did!
I think it is great that you went. i go once a year for a full check and without fail it seems like I always have something to biopsy. The piece of mind is worth and the fact that you can catch something early. Glad you got it looked at.
Once a year is great! I should have been doing that. But now I hear I will have to go every six months. Better safe than sorry!
Good for you! I had a cyst removed years ago and for the past 6 or 7 years I go annually for a mole check. I’ve also had about 5 moles removed/ scraped off and tested. All, once biopsied were OK.
It’s good you go! I am told I’ll have to go in every 6 months now. I really thought that this one would be ok too, and I’d be crazy…I guess not! glad I went!
Wow. That is scary! Now I want to go to the dr!
You should go! ?
I’m so glad that everything is okay and you got it checked out! It’s amazing how important simple checkups are. How scary!
who would’ve thought! They always say to go every year, but I never really thought it was important! Now I do!
Thank God you listened to yourself and got it check out. I’m glad everything was caught early. Good luck with getting everything else removed – bright side you can go bra-less at home! Prayers coming your way!
I know! But that is definitely a silver lining! I always prefer to go braless!! ?
Very scary. Thank goodness you got yourself checked out. These types of skin things run in my family so I get scans. I am trying to be better about sun exposure this summer, something I can’t say I have always been in the past.
Hope it heals quickly so you dont need to be uncomfortable for too long.
It is scary! It hurt when they just took off the little piece so being the baby I am I know it will hurt…but I can deal! lol
This is exactly the kind of information people need to share. I think it’s both brave and kind of you to let other know what you went through. All the the little things we may think are nothing need to be looked at and you are so gracious to remind us of that!
Thank you for your comment! I hope that the story inspires others to go…I know I wish I went earlier!
I know how scary it is I have to go back in June to have them dig some more pre cancerous cells. But think how lucky you are that you went and they found it before it turned into something more serious and now they will now keep on top of it.
I remember you telling me you’ve had a few so that made me feel better. i’m so glad I’m on top of it now!
My wart buddy! I know exactly what you mean about those annoying warts. I’m not sure what I did but mine vanished! But it is a virus so they could come back any time. Yikes! On another note….my husband out of no where got this weird discoloration on his hand. It is not raised and does not itch but it is really scaring me. It’s pretty big and unusual. He has an appt Thursday with a dermatologist. I’m praying it’s nothing.
Thanks buddy! I should’ve went last year when you did! I hope his appt went well! Keep me posted! Definitely worth a look. I know I’m glad I went!
I live in a rural area, and I am fighting-yes, literally fighting-to get into a dermatologist to get some moles looked at. My regular doctor said they probably should come off, but I’m on a six-month waiting list. I have a friend whose husband is a surgeon, and I’m going to see him next week and he’s just going to take the darn things off. With all the information about watching for strange moles, you’d think that I could get into a dermatologist quickly. Good for you that you were able to do so!!
Wow I can’t believe you have to fight to get an appointment! I wish you luck with the surgeon friend. Who knew it was so hard to do the right thing! ?
I am a HUGE advocate of going once per year for a skin check – so happy you went!! My mom had very serious skin cancer when she was 29 years old and almost died – I grew up with her yelling at me if I didn’t use sun block. I’ve had a few moles/freckles removed and a couple have come back as precancerous – but as long as they get it then, you’re totally fine. It’s great the dermatologist was on top of it (and that you were too!).
I now will be a huge advocate! I’m glad your mom beat it! It sounds like the best motivation to protect your children!
good for you for listening to your gut and getting it checked!! And thanks for sharing your story. I had a couple moles removed and biopsied a few years ago and they were benign but I should really get another screening done, it’s been a while!
Definitely go if you can. It’s so easy to convince yourself it’s nothing. But honestly this pre cancerous one wasn’t even raised! I would have never thought it really was!
You better have it checked by your dermatologist if it is extremely bothers you. You may have better explanation about it and as well as avoid misconceptions.