I hadn't actually planned on posting anything about this, but I'm anxious this morning and thought maybe this would help.

When I was 13/14 my mom was diagnosed with melanoma and ended up having surgery to remove it. After the surgery and years of testing and checks, she's cured. Doing monthly self checks and going to the dermo yearly has been pounded into me. Yesterday I went to the the dermotologist for my yearly mole/skin check. I expected it to be like every other time and have them tell me 'see you next year'. But they took two moles for biopsies and, of course, I won't get the results for two weeks.

When they told me what they were going to do, I started to cry a little. I think I freaked out the resident that was working on me. She asked me if I didn't want to do it or should they call someone for me. I told her I have an anxiety disorder and this is what I do when I'm scared. So she should do what she needs to do and I'll do what I need to do.

I'm trying to keep positive thoughts in the front of my mind. Even the doctor said that it's very routine for them to take moles for biopsies. And with my mom having had skin cancer, they said they wanted to be extra cautious. OK, fine...I can deal with that. It's the waiting that is a real bitch for me. That and cancer is a trigger for my anxiety. I guess it doesn't make me a coward to admit that this whole thing scares me. My husband told me not to worry until there's something to worry about. Yeah babe...wish it could be that easy.

Lisa

Keep breathing, and remember that they like to do biopsies because we are interesting subjects to them. I have about ten moles on me and I have had 2 removed, one grew back after ten years. Sometimes they like to be cautious, sometimes they like to remove them to get more practice (it was a resident, right?) not really because the mole looked truly suspicious. Sometimes doctors do procedures on patients simply because we are interesting and the insurance company will pay them for it. If you really did have skin cancer, it grows super slowly, it does not kill you, and it is stopped easily.
Breathe slowly, go get some chocolate ice cream and listen to your music. The biopsies will come back normal, I bet you.

Sounds very scary. Know that we are all supporting you and keeping our fingers crossed for you. Remember this is why you keep good appointments to do this. You are being very cautious and responsible just to be sure and they are doing the same for you. You are doing great by taking such good care of yourself.

I would say don't worry... But that is like trying to tell my cat not to shed. I hope your 2 weeks passes quickly, I think that is the hard part.

Keep yourself busy and don't give your mind a chance to overwhelm you.

Hehe, wanna compare scars? I've had this done lot's along with cysts for the same reason. The waiting is the worst!

Remember to put all your self-care into action, and watch your thinking styles as this is when they will go down the pooper.

Keep us updated.

bec

Sorry to hear you must wait so very long for the results, Lisa! Believe me, as a breast cancer survivor myself, and now with Evie's illness, it is very difficult. Yes it is fairly routine to send moles away for biopsies. I have it done with mine always. I recall it starting when I was about 40, along with tests for breast and cervical cancer. I believe you are `approximately at the age where they would begin these tests as a precaution? And with your mother's history, hopefully they are simply being cautious. In any event, do try to take care during the next couple of weeks. I will pray for good test results for you. And if God forbid the results are not good, take comfort in the fact that the disease is being caught early. Early detection is key to successful treatment.

P.S. Evie sends you her good wishes as well, and is looking forward to speaking with you again once she's well enough!

Hey their Lisa its a barstard when you have to wait for shit like that, as you can see we are all rooting for you , Oh that reminds me of some thing, i had a mole on my back once best $50 bucks i ever spent !. Take care keep smiling Nugget.

Hope you don't have to wait too long Lisa and that you get a positive outcome.

:6:

Thanks all! Your support is so appreciated!!

I'm doing better than last night and this morning. Today I've been up and down, but not nearly as bad as I thought I'd be. Keeping busy has helped and I'm working on keeping the negative thoughts at bay. Reminding myself that this is something I can deal with has helped, too.

I spoke with my mom this evening and asked her about her mole and her procedure. I knew about this after her biopsy and surgery, but before that I was a typical oblivious kid who didn't pay attention to much. She had stage III melanoma when she went to the doctor for her mole. I never knew this until tonight. But talking to her did help me to feel better and a bit less stressed.

Again, thanks so much for all your words of support. Having friends in your corner makes a lot of difference. And yes, Kathy, I'm at that lovely age for the tests and such. My youngest told me that if I fall apart any quicker she's going to have to hold me together with duct tape!

Lisa

Cruel but funny!

Just think of yourself as a good bottle of wine - you get better with age!

Marlene,

I think that most of us can relate to the "Waiting game" when it come to test results...It just plain ole sucks...I'm glad that talking to your mom helped to ease your mind some too. Any little bit helps.

I hope that things turn out fine for you.

My girlfriend has melanoma too. She was a stage III Graves 4. Positive Sentinel Lymph node. That was 8 yrs ago. She too gets check ups every 1-2 yrs. To date everything id fine with her.

Wen