Terrified about dr.s appointment

[NYUBwayBaby]

I know I'm kind of new here, but I just...need a place to vent? Well, vent isn't the right word...

So, I'm going to the doctor's soon (as soon as I'm back on my parent's insurance. Yay, college) to get some moles checked out. One doesn't have defined edges and is a little larger than a pencil eraser in diameter, and the other I've had for some time on the back of my leg but lately the area around the leg's been feeling, well, off. It's not quite tingly. It's a weird sensation.

Anyway, I've been terrified of getting skin cancer for some time. I always wear long pants to cover that mole on my leg, as we've been worried about potential skin cancer. I pretty much always wear sunscreen unless I'm only going to be outside for a few minutes. There's only one time I can think of that really resulted in any sort of serious burn. My mother's father, two sisters, and a brother have all had either skin cancer or a pre-cancerous mole.

Anyway, I'm terrified of going to a doctor- both because of the potential results and because I'm terrified of getting them removed. I don't do well with needles at all, and I've heard terrible things about mole removal.

To top it all off, my boyfriend doesn't understand why I'm so worried. Of course, he looked at one of the moles I'm worried about (not, like, in place of a doctor or anything) and said it was a freckle. He doesn't get why I can't just say everything will be okay and not worry about things like this.

Anyway, I just needed to tell, well, someone... I have, well, very few people in the real world I can talk to right now.

 

[Metro West]

I went to the Dermatologist a few weeks ago and had four moles removed. I didn't even feel it. The nurse numbed the areas and then they were gone.

Try not to worry about the results. They usually tell you to wait around two weeks for the results but if there is something bad, they will call you immediately.

Again...try not to worry.

 

[aprilvaca04]

Sending you the best ... good luck

 

[Nette]

I had multiple moles removed as a child and don't recall ever feeling anything.

I can understand why you're scared though. You certainly have a validity to your concerns about skin cancer if you have that much of a familial history. And the moles you describe do sound off... but look at it this way, at least you're getting them checked out ASAP. My grandfather died because he had a melanoma that he refused to see a doctor for.

You're going to be ok.

 

[jam217]

I know exactly how you feel. I had a mole on my neck that I put off having removed for years. As the other posters have stated, it wasn't that bad and wish that I would have had it done sooner. You will be fine.

 

[Christine]

The mole removal itself is easy. Yes, there are needles involved but it's not like a true injection where it goes into the muscle. It is a prick under and around the mole to numb it. It's not bad at all.

The worst part of mole removal for me is the after care. The first day after it is kind of sore. You have to spend about 2 weeks with a bandaid on (of which I am allergic to which complicates things). It's just a PAIN for a couple of weeks.

 

[powellrj]

My DS had one taken off his foot last year and it went fine. I have had one taken off each eye and while it is an odd feeling having them mess with your eyelid, Christine is right, its the after care that is the most annoying.

 

[dispor]

You are right to get them checked out, especially with your family history.

I had one removed on my shoulder - it fit just about all the descriptions of cancer - undefined edges, size, etc. It turned out to be NOTHING, but I am still glad I had it removed. The removal, to me, was completely painless. And because it wasn't actually even a mole afterall (can't remember what they called it), there wasn't even any real aftercare. They just shaved it off at skin level - not even any blood.

It is very easy to start associating other pain with a mole you are worried about. Chances are that the sensation in your leg has nothing to do with the mole.

Be aware that many dermatologists have incredibly long waits for appointments. You might want to call them to see how far ahead you need to schedule.

 

[Christine]

And because it wasn't actually even a mole afterall (can't remember what they called it), there wasn't even any real aftercare. They just shaved it off at skin level - not even any blood.

/QUOTE]


You are lucky. I had a shave biopsy on my arm and it just took forever to heal. Had to wear a bandaid for 3 weeks. It itched, it crusted. It was just awful. I think now that I'm in my 40s, I just don't heal as quickly as I used to. I've had shave biopsies before that were NOTHING. Maybe it was just the area it was done. I've also had healing issues with ones done on my back but they did tell me that those are very hard to heal.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

We just had another mole thread here a few days ago. It actually pushed me to finally make an appointment to get mine checked, as well. It was like a 2 week wait (I go on July 13th).

Like the OP I'm terrified of the visit. I have a ton of moles, some large, some small...all different varieties. I'm worried because I've waited so long to get them checked out and I've convinced myself they are going to find something sinister lurking in them! Everyone around me has kind of shut me out because that's all I'll talk about until the appointment.

My brother and my Mom have had moles removed over the years and all of them have been completely benign. So there really isn't a family history (beyond having moles). But you still worry about these things.

I will say, though, that I'm looking forward to having some of them removed, if only to ease my fears a bit!

Good luck to the OP. I know it may sound hypocritical of me, but I'm certain you'll be okay. (Now, if only I could allow myself to believe it about me.)