go get your moles checked.

daisy · Guru

go get your moles checked.

daisy · Guru

daisy wrote:

i found an irregular mole on my shoulder. i've gotten TONS more since being preg.
TONS.
i have over a hundred moles - possibly 200. crazy.

anyway i got a full body check on monday and had to have 4 biopsied, and still have 3 biopsies to go.
got results of the first 4 today - no melanoma THANK GOD THANK GOD THANK GOD (i've been a wreck all week) - but i do need surgery on one (on my stomach) to have all surrounding tissue excavated.
after that, i have the last 3 biopsies.

go get checked - call your derm. k??? especially since we're all post-preg right now, and a lot of pigment changes. xoxo.

eta, 3 out of my 4 biopsies so far came back as atypical. one needs surgery, the other 2 are safe but "dysplastic" - so seriously, go get checked.

Supafly · Guru

Thank you for this, Kelly. And I am SO sorry you have been dealing with this stress!!! Bill and I are both completely mole-y, and he has some that I think are definitely concerning. IDK if I will be able to convince him to get checked, but I know I should, especially because being on Humira increases the risks of some cancers.

SO SO glad for no melanoma.

daisy · Guru

Supafly wrote:

Thank you for this, Kelly. And I am SO sorry you have been dealing with this stress!!! Bill and I are both completely mole-y, and he has some that I think are definitely concerning. IDK if I will be able to convince him to get checked, but I know I should, especially because being on Humira increases the risks of some cancers.

SO SO glad for no melanoma.

laura i cant tell you the stress i've been under this week. being the fatal "italian-blue-eyed" combo, i've always been very in-tune to my moles, but seriously the changes since i've stopped nursing have been intense. the one on my shoulder was the classic "fried egg" pattern and i was like - GULP - when i noticed it.

my derm said that with age, and with pregnancy, there are a lot of changes, and it's always a good time to start getting yearly checks.

1 in 10 moles is atypical. not all atypicals are melanoma (at all), but all atypicals should be tested.

laura i had to drag mike in bc he has these cysts that he never dealt with - he's totally fine and they're just sebacious cysts, but he's having them removed and is VERY happy he is finally dealing with them.

my stress has been through the roof. i cant even tell you. i lost 4 lbs this week - havent eaten, havent slept, i was crying ALL weekend thinking the worst (silly i know, but that's me...) - anyway i'm so glad i have the ball rolling - i just want these things OFF!!!

Supafly · Guru

daisy wrote:

Supafly wrote:

Thank you for this, Kelly. And I am SO sorry you have been dealing with this stress!!! Bill and I are both completely mole-y, and he has some that I think are definitely concerning. IDK if I will be able to convince him to get checked, but I know I should, especially because being on Humira increases the risks of some cancers.

SO SO glad for no melanoma.

laura i cant tell you the stress i've been under this week. being the fatal "italian-blue-eyed" combo, i've always been very in-tune to my moles, but seriously the changes since i've stopped nursing have been intense. the one on my shoulder was the classic "fried egg" pattern and i was like - GULP - when i noticed it.
my derm said that with age, and with pregnancy, there are a lot of changes, and it's always a good time to start getting yearly checks.
1 in 10 moles is atypical. not all atypicals are melanoma (at all), but all atypicals should be tested.
laura i had to drag mike in bc he has these cysts that he never dealt with - he's totally fine and they're just sebacious cysts, but he's having them removed and is VERY happy he is finally dealing with them.
my stress has been through the roof. i cant even tell you. i lost 4 lbs this week - havent eaten, havent slept, i was crying ALL weekend thinking the worst (silly i know, but that's me...) - anyway i'm so glad i have the ball rolling - i just want these things OFF!!!

OMG no-you are not being silly!!! ITU. I mentioned in one of my threads about this whole oops thing that I tend to go into panic mode about these things, and I FREAK myself out over everything!!! (like today I went to the bathroom 5 times, and it might just be a fluke day or something I ate or stress, but I am freaked out thinking I am starting a flare or something)

I am so glad you got these checked. Wow. And so glad you dragged Mike in too-I think that it what it will take for Bill also.

IHNI that so many changes happened with age and having babies. I am definitely going to keep a closer eye on things from here on out.

You should have told us sooner so that we could help with the stress!!!!

daisy · Guru

Supafly wrote:

daisy wrote:

Supafly wrote:

Thank you for this, Kelly. And I am SO sorry you have been dealing with this stress!!! Bill and I are both completely mole-y, and he has some that I think are definitely concerning. IDK if I will be able to convince him to get checked, but I know I should, especially because being on Humira increases the risks of some cancers.

SO SO glad for no melanoma.

laura i cant tell you the stress i've been under this week. being the fatal "italian-blue-eyed" combo, i've always been very in-tune to my moles, but seriously the changes since i've stopped nursing have been intense. the one on my shoulder was the classic "fried egg" pattern and i was like - GULP - when i noticed it.
my derm said that with age, and with pregnancy, there are a lot of changes, and it's always a good time to start getting yearly checks.
1 in 10 moles is atypical. not all atypicals are melanoma (at all), but all atypicals should be tested.
laura i had to drag mike in bc he has these cysts that he never dealt with - he's totally fine and they're just sebacious cysts, but he's having them removed and is VERY happy he is finally dealing with them.
my stress has been through the roof. i cant even tell you. i lost 4 lbs this week - havent eaten, havent slept, i was crying ALL weekend thinking the worst (silly i know, but that's me...) - anyway i'm so glad i have the ball rolling - i just want these things OFF!!!

OMG no-you are not being silly!!! ITU. I mentioned in one of my threads about this whole oops thing that I tend to go into panic mode about these things, and I FREAK myself out over everything!!! (like today I went to the bathroom 5 times, and it might just be a fluke day or something I ate or stress, but I am freaked out thinking I am starting a flare or something)

I am so glad you got these checked. Wow. And so glad you dragged Mike in too-I think that it what it will take for Bill also.

IHNI that so many changes happened with age and having babies. I am definitely going to keep a closer eye on things from here on out.

You should have told us sooner so that we could help with the stress!!!!

i know, i wish i had mentioned it last week too bc i'm sure you guys would have mellowed me out a ton, but i was SO stressed that i just couldnt even talk to anyone except mike and my sister. i get myself into a total tizzy - seriously.
i had the most morbid thoughts imaginable ALL WEEKEND - UG!!!

anyway i'm definitely going to start doing more than just my shower-checks (which are always without glasses - DOI!!) - i now plan on checking my moles monthly along wiht my breast self-check (i do it the first of every month) - plus annual derm visits.

3s_a_crowd · Guru

i keep thinking i should get mine checked ive def got moresince being pregnant with the kids. what exactly do they do while checking? do pcms check or do i need a referral to a derm

Supafly · Guru

daisy wrote:

Supafly wrote:

daisy wrote:

Supafly wrote:

Thank you for this, Kelly. And I am SO sorry you have been dealing with this stress!!! Bill and I are both completely mole-y, and he has some that I think are definitely concerning. IDK if I will be able to convince him to get checked, but I know I should, especially because being on Humira increases the risks of some cancers.

SO SO glad for no melanoma.

laura i cant tell you the stress i've been under this week. being the fatal "italian-blue-eyed" combo, i've always been very in-tune to my moles, but seriously the changes since i've stopped nursing have been intense. the one on my shoulder was the classic "fried egg" pattern and i was like - GULP - when i noticed it.
my derm said that with age, and with pregnancy, there are a lot of changes, and it's always a good time to start getting yearly checks.
1 in 10 moles is atypical. not all atypicals are melanoma (at all), but all atypicals should be tested.
laura i had to drag mike in bc he has these cysts that he never dealt with - he's totally fine and they're just sebacious cysts, but he's having them removed and is VERY happy he is finally dealing with them.
my stress has been through the roof. i cant even tell you. i lost 4 lbs this week - havent eaten, havent slept, i was crying ALL weekend thinking the worst (silly i know, but that's me...) - anyway i'm so glad i have the ball rolling - i just want these things OFF!!!

OMG no-you are not being silly!!! ITU. I mentioned in one of my threads about this whole oops thing that I tend to go into panic mode about these things, and I FREAK myself out over everything!!! (like today I went to the bathroom 5 times, and it might just be a fluke day or something I ate or stress, but I am freaked out thinking I am starting a flare or something)

I am so glad you got these checked. Wow. And so glad you dragged Mike in too-I think that it what it will take for Bill also.

IHNI that so many changes happened with age and having babies. I am definitely going to keep a closer eye on things from here on out.

You should have told us sooner so that we could help with the stress!!!!

i know, i wish i had mentioned it last week too bc i'm sure you guys would have mellowed me out a ton, but i was SO stressed that i just couldnt even talk to anyone except mike and my sister. i get myself into a total tizzy - seriously.
i had the most morbid thoughts imaginable ALL WEEKEND - UG!!!

anyway i'm definitely going to start doing more than just my shower-checks (which are always without glasses - DOI!!) - i now plan on checking my moles monthly along wiht my breast self-check (i do it the first of every month) - plus annual derm visits.

OMG-ITU. You know I am the morbid type too-and with something potentially so serious, I can completely understand not being able to talk to anyone about it.

I have a few that I really need to take better note of-and I will now for sure. Thank you.

supergrover · Guru

don't laugh. I seriously don't know.

What is the difference between a mole and a freckle? Is there one?

no really, don't laugh.

daisy · Guru

3s_a_crowd wrote:

i keep thinking i should get mine checked ive def got moresince being pregnant with the kids. what exactly do they do while checking? do pcms check or do i need a referral to a derm

i think anyone who is "moley" or noticing increases should go to a derm. any primary care i've had has sent me straight to a derm.

i've had mine checked by derms in the past, but i think currently, they are way more likely to err on the side of caution. ie, he's biopsying moles that i've had forEVER, that no other derm has been worried about.

the one that is the most concerning, and that requires surgery, is one that actually HASNT changed, and that i've had for my entire life. so just bc you can say "i've had it forever" doesnt hold much weight. still go and get checked.

basically i got a new derm through my OB - i just went in and showed him a few that were changing, and he biopsied 2 right on the spot. i went in 3 days later for a full body check, and he biopsied 2 more. they dont typically biopsy more than 2 in one visit. that's why i have 3 to go.

the full body check is nbd. you put a paper gown on and they just look at your entire body and mark off strange ones. then they biopsy what they can, and you make an appt for any further work you might need. soooo not a big deal. soooo worth going!!!!

daisy · Guru

supergrover wrote:

don't laugh. I seriously don't know.

What is the difference between a mole and a freckle? Is there one?

no really, don't laugh.

i dont totally know either.

my moles are what we used to call "beauty marks" - they arent like hideous hairy raised black marks at all. they're like flat dark, smallish.

not freckles at all, but not like witch-moles (lmao).

daisy · Guru

also you guys - since my second preg, i have two strips of mole-like whatevers down each side of my torso that were never there before. it's like two galaxies. there are at least 40 on each side.
the derm said they're not technically moles, and not concerning (in my case anyway).
but if youre noticing anything like this, again, go get checked!!

3s_a_crowd · Guru

i agree with kelly they are what we called beauty markes too. I think the differnce is freckles are flush with the skin and moles more often than not (on me at least) are SLIGHTLY raised

SerenityNow · Veteran Member

My husband is made up by a collection of moles. It would keep a derm in business. But the other day I noticed one on his arm that fits the "uh oh" category. He is going to the derm soon. I know that the mole needs to be at least killed if not more.

Be aware of the signs of a bad mole:

Assymetry

Color (mixed, black and green)

Texture

Size

Yeah, I am hoping it isn't too bad, but I would not doubt a biopsy is in order.

I thank you for the reminder!!!

daisy · Guru

SerenityNow wrote:

My husband is made up by a collection of moles. It would keep a derm in business. But the other day I noticed one on his arm that fits the "uh oh" category. He is going to the derm soon. I know that the mole needs to be at least killed if not more.

Be aware of the signs of a bad mole:

Assymetry

Color (mixed, black and green)

Texture

Size

Yeah, I am hoping it isn't too bad, but I would not doubt a biopsy is in order.

I thank you for the reminder!!!

they biopsy everything now.
what also counts as irregular is if there's skin-colored pigment in the middle of the mole.
also, redness in the middle of brown is not a great sign.

another thing i wanted to add...i noticed that R is starting to get some now. literally in one weekend she busted out with three teeny tiny "beauty marks" - one on her face, and the others on her limbs.
i'm hyper-alert and asked about them at a recent doc visit (she had strep) - he said it's normal to see them come out at this age through adolescence, and it's a good idea to take note of what they look like from now.
sorry i'm on total mole-patrol but i'm just emerging from a TOTAL spiral!

CoffeeQueen · Guru

ugh. I have been saying I am going to do this forever and never make the apt. I have a few I am worried about. I am calling tomorrow morning. I am so glad you went, Kelly. Let us know how it all turns out and a very good reminder.

mctex · Guru

My melanoma looked like a freckle, but it was kind of shiny. It wasn't raised at all, and was still smaller than a pencil eraser. But I knew there was something different about it, to the point that I insisted that my derm take it off, even though she thought it was fine.

(That was the most bittersweet vindication of my life. There are just some things you don't want to be right about.)

I've had quite a few atypical since -- but the worst only a moderately atypical.

I remember back in our very early IV days someone was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma, and she was concerned that she wasn't going to be able to breastfeed because of the chemo (it was obvious she was still in shock). I'd say I wonder what ever happened to her, but sadly, I bet I can guess. Scary stuff.

daisy · Guru

CoffeeQueen wrote:

ugh. I have been saying I am going to do this forever and never make the apt. I have a few I am worried about. I am calling tomorrow morning. I am so glad you went, Kelly. Let us know how it all turns out and a very good reminder.

GOOD!!! dont put it off, you'll feel a TON better having gone.

Lizzy · Guru

daisy wrote:

Supafly wrote:

Thank you for this, Kelly. And I am SO sorry you have been dealing with this stress!!! Bill and I are both completely mole-y, and he has some that I think are definitely concerning. IDK if I will be able to convince him to get checked, but I know I should, especially because being on Humira increases the risks of some cancers.

SO SO glad for no melanoma.

laura i cant tell you the stress i've been under this week. being the fatal "italian-blue-eyed" combo, i've always been very in-tune to my moles, but seriously the changes since i've stopped nursing have been intense. the one on my shoulder was the classic "fried egg" pattern and i was like - GULP - when i noticed it.
my derm said that with age, and with pregnancy, there are a lot of changes, and it's always a good time to start getting yearly checks.
1 in 10 moles is atypical. not all atypicals are melanoma (at all), but all atypicals should be tested.
laura i had to drag mike in bc he has these cysts that he never dealt with - he's totally fine and they're just sebacious cysts, but he's having them removed and is VERY happy he is finally dealing with them.
my stress has been through the roof. i cant even tell you. i lost 4 lbs this week - havent eaten, havent slept, i was crying ALL weekend thinking the worst (silly i know, but that's me...) - anyway i'm so glad i have the ball rolling - i just want these things OFF!!!

oh kelly...I am so sorry. here i am pm'img you about paint colors. :bag I feel so bad.

you're in my prayers. (and thanks for the reminders).

daisy · Guru

Lizzy wrote:

daisy wrote:

Supafly wrote:

Thank you for this, Kelly. And I am SO sorry you have been dealing with this stress!!! Bill and I are both completely mole-y, and he has some that I think are definitely concerning. IDK if I will be able to convince him to get checked, but I know I should, especially because being on Humira increases the risks of some cancers.

SO SO glad for no melanoma.

laura i cant tell you the stress i've been under this week. being the fatal "italian-blue-eyed" combo, i've always been very in-tune to my moles, but seriously the changes since i've stopped nursing have been intense. the one on my shoulder was the classic "fried egg" pattern and i was like - GULP - when i noticed it.
my derm said that with age, and with pregnancy, there are a lot of changes, and it's always a good time to start getting yearly checks.
1 in 10 moles is atypical. not all atypicals are melanoma (at all), but all atypicals should be tested.
laura i had to drag mike in bc he has these cysts that he never dealt with - he's totally fine and they're just sebacious cysts, but he's having them removed and is VERY happy he is finally dealing with them.
my stress has been through the roof. i cant even tell you. i lost 4 lbs this week - havent eaten, havent slept, i was crying ALL weekend thinking the worst (silly i know, but that's me...) - anyway i'm so glad i have the ball rolling - i just want these things OFF!!!

oh kelly...I am so sorry. here i am pm'img you about paint colors. :bag I feel so bad.

you're in my prayers. (and thanks for the reminders).

OMG dont be silly!!! the distraction has been great for me.