Standing Naked And Getting The Once Over – My Life My Moles
Posted on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
My Mom is on my mind a lot right now. This is the month back in 2006 that my Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. We lost her just weeks after the diagnosis. Weeks.
Just about two years later, I was having my yearly exam, when during the breast exam my doctor said; “hmmm…. have you noticed this mole before?”
Me; “No.”
Doctor; “I don’t like the way that looks.”
Me… nothing.
Biopsy scheduled. Results back. I was all ready to hear that it was just a mole, nothing more. Even with my Mom’s melanoma, I didn’t consider that something could be wrong. Denial is a warm and fuzzy place to be.
Diagnosis: aplastic nevi, an abnormal mole, the precursor to melanoma. Surgery was done, they got it all, and it’s over.
But…
My chances of being diagnosed with melanoma during my lifetime went up from 50% because my Mom had melanoma to 75% because I had an abnormal mole, an aplastic nevi.
Every year since then, I visit my surgeon’s office and have a full body check by my dear Beverly Q., PA. We have a strange and wonderful relationship – I stand in front of her with just my underpants on and she looks at me. I have to laugh and shake my head. Poor Beverly. My Hubby is starting to wonder, though, because I rarely shave my legs anymore, but when it’s time to go see Beverly it’s like I’m going on a date. As a matter of fact, yesterday my appointment with Beverly was about an hour away and I jumped up off the sofa and blurted out; “Yikes! I’ve gotta go shave my legs for Beverly!” My Hubby was understandably puzzled.
So, I keep a sense of humor, and I have a few chuckles as I’m standing there in my birthday suit in front of Beverly. But, I know how important this is. I know because my Mom didn’t get the warning I got.
Melanoma and other skin cancers are treatable, when caught early. But the signs are confusing. I did some research because I had to. I shared the information I learned in this post:
Celebrate National Skin Cancer Awareness Month – Cover Up And Live.
Much of the information remains the same, but the new debate is about the absorption of Vitamin D from the sun versus damaging sun exposure. There are an incredible number of people who have been diagnosed with dangerously low amounts of Vitamin D in their body, one of which is my daughter. I’m guessing my Vitamin D is low, but I haven’t had a blood test yet. So I balance the need to get Vitamin D with the need to stay out of the sun. I started taking a Vitamin D supplement (along with calcium) which is supposedly the magic combination. I also enjoy about 5 minutes in the sunlight before I slather on the sunscreen. Making smart choices isn’t always easy.
The other variable is that melanoma is not always caused by sun damage. Melanoma is hereditary. That is why the chances of getting melanoma jumps once a blood relative has it, and the chances jump once again when you are diagnosed with an abnormal mole.
Like I said… it’s complicated.
The best thing any of us can do is don’t assume you’re immune. Whether you have a familial history or you’ve been baking your skin in the sun, the chances of something showing up on your skin is something to consider… seriously. Yes, I laugh with Beverly, but she’s also carefully looking at my skin every year to ascertain any abnormalities or changes.
There’s nothing I can do about my genes. But, I know my Mom would want me to be more aware and watch my skin more closely… and not live in the state of denial. Thanks Mom. I miss you.
p.s. Of course, I want you to wear your sunscreen. But, if you’re like me, you’ve tried all kinds of sunscreens on your face that either are too greasy, too smelly, stayed white, or burned your eyes.
Well, I finally found the perfect stuff. Dermalogica is a line of skin care products with several face lotions and creams with SPF.
And the wonderful thing is IT SMELLS GREAT and FEELS GREAT, TOO!
I buy it through my friend and esthetician, Charlotte Field of Skin Couture. If you are in or around the Pensacola, Florida area, give her a call or stop by. Just click on this link for the info – FacialsByCharlotte.com
IMPORTANT NOTE: I DO NOT receive any compensation for recommending this product. I just love it and think you will too.
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I need to go. Thanks for the reminder. Glad all is well. Love the shaving for Beverly!
Thanks, Barbara, for reading. I never would have gone for the ‘once over’ if I hadn’t had an abnormal mole. EVEN with my Mom having melanoma. We just don’t think it will happen to us. And, yeah… I was thinking of you when I shaved for Beverly. tee hee! http://friendfortheride.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/9385/
Good reminder! I get lazy- why go if I feel fine? But I’m fair so need to be checked. I heard a biochemist talk about cancer- about 50% of deaths are preventable if people took preventative measures. More on that soon.
Thanks, Lisa. Yeah, I plunk down a pretty penny every year for that skin check, but I remind myself of the close call I had and it’s well worth the money and time. It was just a fluke that my doctor spotted my bad mole during my regular gyn appointment. Although it’s not guaranteed that an ‘aplastic nevi’ will become a melanoma, the odds are not good. The fact that I never noticed the mole, AND it was in plain sight, AND I should have been looking, is good reason to make a skin check part of your regular routine. Add into that our fair skin, and it’s critical. I’ll be anxious to read what you have to say about preventative measures in health care. It’s so important, but, sadly, it’s not available to everyone. Thanks again, Lisa, for reading and taking the time to comment.
Thanks for the reminder Patti. Whenever I see the dermatologist, she asks me what kind of strange new rash I’ve got since I was recently diagnosed with guttate psoriasis and then zoster…I forgot to have the annual skin cancer check!
Thanks, Chris, for stopping by and commenting. Does your regular dermatologist offer a full body skin check? If so, it would be good to add that to your regular appointment. I’ll tell you what… I set up my next appointment before I leave the doctor’s office, even though it’s a year away! Otherwise, time flies and I just know a year would go by, then another year, and another. I have my new appointment card stuck to my refrigerator – 01/23/14 – and it’s amazing how fast that date arrives! 😉
Good information. I’m making an appointment right now. Thanks.
Thanks, Tess. I’m glad you took time to read my post. Yes, it’s so important to have a regularly scheduled appointment for a skin check. It was ridiculous of me not to be more aware, especially with my Mom’s history. Talk about denial!!! The fact that my abnormal mole was caught totally by accident was a wake-up call for me… actually gave me nightmares for a while. So, yes, go get naked, Tess! 😉
Thanks for the reminder Patti! I need to make my appointment. I am long overdue, embarressingly so. I chuckled with the shaving of legs….I do that for every doc appt!
Yes, Judy, do make that call. It’s human nature to let time pass, isn’t it? I’m so glad you stopped by to read and comment. Oh yeah… doctor’s appointments and pedicures call for leg shaving. 😉 Thanks again, Judy.
I just had my body scanned. Free n clear. My daughter was diagnosed 2009 and nine months later we lost her to Melanoma. So I made her a promise during her treatments that I would do that. Hugs
Oh Susan, I am so sorry for your terrible heartbreaking loss. Every year when I go for my check, I bristle a little when I pay the bill… then I stop and think how lucky I am to be able to have a professional stand there and look at my skin, AND come away “free n clear” too. That’s a luxury that my Mom never got to enjoy. I know your daughter and my mom are smiling on us as we do what we are lucky enough to have an opportunity to do. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Susan. Hugs to you and your family.
Wow! Thanks for this information Patti. I honestly never thought about checking moles (I have many and freckles too) during my yearly physical. I don’t spend a ton of time in the sun because I am Canadian and frozen half of the year (just kiddin’!) Seriously I do enjoy being out in the garden for hours at a time during the summer, spring and fall seasons and even though I plaster sun-screen on my grandsons I haven’t been taking care of myself as I should be. I will now!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jeannette! Yes, it is so important to watch out for that sun exposure… even up north. I am a Wisconsin native (have lived in Florida just the last 10 years.) My Mom and two sisters, each having different skin cancers, live in northern Wisconsin. Heredity plays a big part in skin cancer, but yes, you need to use sunscreen even up north. And watch out for those moles! They are tricky and can hide. I didn’t see mine, my doctor did, and if she hadn’t… it may have been too late. Scary.
Thanks again for stopping by. I sure appreciate the company out here in the blogosphere!