Need a mole removed...little nervous...

[Rock'n Robin]

I went for a "mole check" today at the dermatologist for the first time. I had to take a day off because although I called this summer, this was the earliest I could get in.
I only have two real "moles", but a lot of brown spots on my arms that have been there forever---those are fine. One mole is OK too, but she doesn't like the one on my back and I have an appt. in 5 weeks to have it removed (first avail. appt.)
My general doctor didn't like it a couple of years ago and told me to keep an eye on it--but all I have done is ask DH every so often how it looks and he says it looks the same--well today he admitted he doesn't really pay that much attention! If this is something serious we will have issues.
She sounds pretty upbeat, but the one thing that bugs me is that she says they like to see 2 or 3 moles together, that indicates the body responds by making them--I only have ONE. That little throwaway fact will gnaw at me for the next 5 weeks. She says she can almost guarantee it will have "atypical" cells, but that doesn't always mean melanoma.
My own mom has had several basal cell things taken off of her face, and I am pretty fair skinned. I do remember a sunburn when I was little but I don't remember blistering or anything--just remember lying on the hammock feeling very hot. We spent a lot of time at the pool.
Now I am very glad I slather up my kids with sunscreen (although Mr. "I'm part italian" DH doesn't wear any ) every day during the summer and several times a day at WDW. But this next 5 weeks will drive me crazy.
Robin M.

 

[tkyes]

Five weeks is a long time to wait, but everything will be ok.

I am covered in moles - you could play connect the dots for hours - anywho - I have had a couple atypical moles, your dr. is right, it doesn't mean cancer.

I'm going to sound like my husband here and I hope this doesn't come off harsh - there is nothing you can do about it and worrying won't help. Be calm in knowing that you are getting it removed and preventing any future problems.

I would consider taking pictures of any other moles you have that you can't see. That way it's easier to spot a change when you have a previous picture to compare it to.

I'll keep you in my thoughts. Everything will be fine. You can kick your hubby in the shin though for being so nonchalant about checking it for you. It might make you feel better.

All my best -

Tamie

 

[caitycaity]

i am not a doctor, but i did have malignant melanoma when i was younger, and i have had several moles removed all over my body. i have to go to the dermatologist every year for a check-up.

try not to freak out. i have had many abnormal moles that were not cancerous. malignant melanoma is pretty rare - a lot more rare than basal cell carcinoma, or some of the other types of skin cancer. either way -- there is nothing more you can do about it now, so try to relax. i know that is easier said than done.

feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

 

[DoeWDW]

I think all will be fine. If the doctor thought it was really worth worrying about, she would have gotten you in sooner.

I wish you strength, hope and patience for your wait.

 

[gshoemate]

Try not to panic. I just had one checked on the bottom of my foot. Yes, the bottom of my foot. The doctor wasn't to worried about it but because it was in such an unusual spot, he wanted to check it. I had one stitch and limped around for 2 weeks. The week waiting for the results to come back drove me nuts. I know it's hard not to worry, but like DoeWDW said, if the doctor was worried, she would of got you in sooner. Hang in there and try not to worry.

 

[nativetxn]

I actually had a physician tell me that I had 3 melanomas but when the dermatologist removed and tested them they were benign.

I remember feeling very nervous but it turned out alright. I hope everything turns out alright for you, too. In fact, I just said a little prayer asking that this mole is benign.

Keep us posted, okay?

 

[Margie J]

I went through this a few years ago and know how nerve wracking it can be. I had a spot from my ankle removed and tested. It was abnormal and I had more surgery to remove all the abnormal tissue. I'm half Italian myself but that doesn't make a major difference when it comes to skin issues.

Getting checked and having the mole removed is the best thing you can do for yourself. Seeing the Dermatologist yearly is also a good thing to do. If you rely on your own skin checks or even those of a PCP you may miss something.

 

[NHAnn]

It certainly is nerve-wracking. The 4-5 week wait for appointments and a week or so wait for biopsy results is the norm here too.

18 months ago my DH had 3 removed, one was melanoma that they said "just started" to bore down into the skin. On that one they went back and excised a whole bunch more skin under/around it. Every three months for awhile he went and they sliced off 2-3 more, all benighn. He still goes every six months, a few weeks ago they took a few more and although negative for melanoma, one was atypical enough that they want to excise more on that too...but not til November 4th.

DH now is a faithful sunscreen user- and it was recommended that he use a brand containing titanium dioxide. He also has several of the long sleeved shirts and a pair of zip-away pants/shorts in an allegedly SPF 30 fabric. I'm a tad skeptical but they are nice comfortable things that wash easily, thoguh a bit pricey from LLBean or Cabela's mail order.

Good luck, please let us know how it turns out!
I will say a prayer for you for good results. The best thing is to have faith, and good dermatologist.