Word to the wise....

[ShutteredEye]

Just thought I'd remind everyone out there to take care of themselves.

I've had a mole on my shoulder that I've had a bad feeling about for almost a year now. I went to the doctor about it, and the dumb b*#$^ told me it was nothing, and she wouldn't write me a referral to a dermatologist. Well, a couple months later I finally gave in to my gut instinct and just made a dermatologist appointment on my own dime.

The dermatologist was only in the room about 20 seconds before she told me we needed to get the mole off my shoulder. One look and she was as concerned as I was. So they did a punch biopsy (8mm big, looked like a freaking apple corer!!!) and I got the results back today. Turns out it was probably squamos cell carcinoma, or would be shortly. I go back in for a full excision on my shoulder to make sure they get all the affected tissue. If I had let it go even to my next yearly physical as suggested by my (ex)-primary care provider I would be looking at quite possibly a fatal event....

I'm only 32, but I did spend every summer growing up at 7000 ft elevation with no shirt on and screw the sun block. I guess what I'm saying is trust your gut, because doctors make mistakes all the time. They get to have malpractice insurance for when they screw up, but it could turn out you'll pay a much more expensive price...

In school they said the five most fatal words were: "Maybe it will go away."

(Followed closely by "Here hold my beer!" I'm sure.)

[Breezy]

I am sorry to hear that. Glad you went with your gut on it though. I am always nagging dh cause he is so white it isn't even funny lol and cancer has run rampet in both of our families.
Glad to hear you caught it in time though.

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

glad to hear that... I have been ragging on my hubby to get his looked at on his neck he too is like you (but he is 40) young and all about the beach and sun sun sun.. still is and NO sunblock... I have to TRICK him into wearing some... I tell him I will moisterize before we go out.. and at the last min I will switch the lotion bottle for an SPF 4-8 just enough to keep SOME of the UV rays off him!

thanks for the heads up ... I think I will leave this out for him and let him read it!!

[shamrock]

I'm so glad you had it looked at. I had a matchbook sized chunk of pre-cancerous tissue removed from my back in December. It's scary stuff.

[notaTexan]

I'd like to know what your first doctor says now.

[ShutteredEye]

Originally Posted by notaTexan

I'd like to know what your first doctor says know.

Believe me it's been a remarkable exercise of self-control in not showing up at her office to let her know what I think.

I mean, I've got kids, ya know!?!?

[CaptainTom]

I've had a similar experience. I had one mass removed from my back and it was benign.
I had a spot on my nose, and my doctor, who is also a good friend, said it was nothing and not to worry.
I went to my other good friend who is a PA in a dermatologist office, and she did a section and referred me to a surgeon, who then sent me to a plastic surgeon. All is well now, but I am a lot more careful about the sun and any sort of bumps, etc.