Irony Follow-Up

I revisited the doc today for a couple reasons.  First, to get my blood work (refer to my previous admission to high cholesterol/triglycerides) and secondly to get a steroid shot for some tendonitis in my shoulder (too much Facebook time probably...smirk).  While there, I asked, "so, doc...what were you saying about that mole of mine?"

Well, it turns out we had a miscommunication.  He claimed that he might have said we could "lop it off"...but for now, he just wanted to keep it under observation.  While my growing awareness has instilled a growing paranoia within me, I agree that it's a good idea to just watch for now.  Afterall, I know I've had this mole (dysplastic nevi...or as I learned recently, Clark's nevi) for years and it's not changed that I can recall.  Plus I had two separate dermatologists do the full-body finger skin dance on me and neither really made note of it.  And I KNOW they looked at it...it's in a realtively high ticklish spot and I recall the fingers brushing that area (blush).

I'm scheduled see my primary dermatologist before I'm to return to my GP, plus I plan to monitor this (and one other that's being "watched" per suggestion by dermatologist #2) closely with comparitive photos.  I'm not a doctor by any means, but I feel pretty confident that I can effectively monitor it and make an appointment should I see a change.

Thanks for the thoughts and commentary here and over on Facebook.  Now to start a diet because...well, my triglycerides are through the roof.  That's what I get for munching on snacks during vacation.  But at least I did so while wearing sunscreen  :)

Irony is an Ironic Thing



The Funky Mole

 Since I've returned from vacation, I've been composing a few blog posts mentally.  I do that at times, hoping I'll remember my thoughts when I finally have time to put fingers to keyboard.  However, I thought I'd mention one quick personal thing that occurred before I start typing ideas from a few days ago.

I went to my GP today for my annual physical.  I'm always a little anxious before the exams because I have very high inherited triglycerides and cholesterol, and while I take my meds religiously, I don't follow the diets as I should.  However, this year, in addition to my normal anxiety, I was concerned about a few other ailments.

I'm happy to report that nothing major was found.  Those other ailments are mostly a result of me getting ever so close to age 50 and they have quick and easy fixes.  At the end of the exam, he mentioned one thing.  "I'd like to see you back in a week or so...you have a funky looking mole we should probably remove and have analyzed."

This GP cut out a "funky mole" from my back a couple years ago that turned out to be nothing...so my first thought was that this one might be nothing as well.  Afterall, I've had 2 full body screens by dermatologists in the last 8 months...wouldn't they have noticed this mole as well? 

The photo attached to this posting is "the" mole.  I have many...always have.  This one happens to be on the right side of my torso, about the third rib from the bottom.  As I look at this photo (which by the way, I'm VERY impressed at how good a photo my busted up camera took), I see asymetry, a relatively smooth border, a typical brown color, a size smaller than a pencil eraser, and no changes as this has been on my body for a while.  By the ol' ABCDE methodology, this mole should be fine.  Then again, I have over 50 moles on my body, I'm faired skinned, I have blonde hair and blue eyes, I've had several sunburns in my youth, and I used to use tanning beds in my mid-20's.  So, I should take this seriously. 

I'll either get it cut out and analyzed, or go back to my dermatologist for a second look before I have a chunk cut out.  Either way, it won't be ignored.  And you can bet you'll be kept updated.