go get your moles checked.

daisy · Guru

RE: go get your moles checked.

Sara · Guru

i have been meaning to have moles checked but just never took the initiative. i deifnitely need to.

i am glad thus far everything has came back just fine.

i could not imagine the stress!

mctex · Guru

daisy wrote:

mctex wrote:

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.

wow you had a melanoma?? i had no idea. where was it?
that is really scary - how old were you? good for you for being so astute.
i dont remember that situation on IV. how awful :(

Because I am really trying to put off running 12 miles in the rain for as long as possible today, I found this...

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppjul05n/?msg=10245.1

I was 29, and had it removed as a part of the health maintenance I was doing prior to giving up my really good health insurance I had with the job I was leaving to go back to business school.

It was right inside my bikini line -- which was my first reason to be suspicious, as that part of my body only saw sunlight in tanning beds, and it is that more sensitive skin (like on the bottom of your feet) that is more prone to melanoma development. And it just looked a little different than the million other ones that I had (have) that are similar looking all over my body (I'm a blue-eyed Italian, too ;) )... like when I moved/pinched the skin around it, it didn't move/morph/stretch with the shape of the skin as fluidly as the others did.

But it didn't really meet the criteria. It was dark, but it was smaller than 1 mm, and thus it was hard to really get a read on the borders. I'd had it for a few years by the time of the check up, and my derm suggested that we just watch it for 6 months, and if there were any changes, we could take it off. When I told her I was losing my good insurance, she agreed to just take it.

24 hours later, she called me back with the diagnosis, and to have a larger spot removed to see if the margins were clear. Fortunately, they were, and that was the end of it.

Since then, I've been pretty religious about my skin checks -- and I am sunscreen crazed with my children (ask anyone who's been with me and them IRL, LOL), but I've mostly just accepted it for what it is... you just can't live with the level of anxiety you've been experiencing for the past week all of your life, KWIM? Like I don't run with a hat, despite having super thin hair -- because I know I'll die of heat stroke if I do, LOL. (Although I do go through these occasional freak outs where I want to shave my head to make sure there's nothing there...)

I will say that when they found that mass on my liver this spring, it freaked me out horribly -- my greatest fear (almost expectation, when I'm feeling most anxious) is that something is going to get by me and spread before I find it. But for the most part, I believe that staying zen about this sort of thing is important to keep it from happening again.

Jennie · Guru

mctex wrote:

daisy wrote:

mctex wrote:

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.

wow you had a melanoma?? i had no idea. where was it?
that is really scary - how old were you? good for you for being so astute.
i dont remember that situation on IV. how awful :(

Because I am really trying to put off running 12 miles in the rain for as long as possible today, I found this...

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppjul05n/?msg=10245.1

I was 29, and had it removed as a part of the health maintenance I was doing prior to giving up my really good health insurance I had with the job I was leaving to go back to business school.
It was right inside my bikini line -- which was my first reason to be suspicious, as that part of my body only saw sunlight in tanning beds, and it is that more sensitive skin (like on the bottom of your feet) that is more prone to melanoma development. And it just looked a little different than the million other ones that I had (have) that are similar looking all over my body (I'm a blue-eyed Italian, too ;) )... like when I moved/pinched the skin around it, it didn't move/morph/stretch with the shape of the skin as fluidly as the others did.
But it didn't really meet the criteria. It was dark, but it was smaller than 1 mm, and thus it was hard to really get a read on the borders. I'd had it for a few years by the time of the check up, and my derm suggested that we just watch it for 6 months, and if there were any changes, we could take it off. When I told her I was losing my good insurance, she agreed to just take it.
24 hours later, she called me back with the diagnosis, and to have a larger spot removed to see if the margins were clear. Fortunately, they were, and that was the end of it.
Since then, I've been pretty religious about my skin checks -- and I am sunscreen crazed with my children (ask anyone who's been with me and them IRL, LOL), but I've mostly just accepted it for what it is... you just can't live with the level of anxiety you've been experiencing for the past week all of your life, KWIM? Like I don't run with a hat, despite having super thin hair -- because I know I'll die of heat stroke if I do, LOL. (Although I do go through these occasional freak outs where I want to shave my head to make sure there's nothing there...)
I will say that when they found that mass on my liver this spring, it freaked me out horribly -- my greatest fear (almost expectation, when I'm feeling most anxious) is that something is going to get by me and spread before I find it. But for the most part, I believe that staying zen about this sort of thing is important to keep it from happening again.

Wow. I had no idea.

Being fair skinned, DH is always harassing me about sunscreen which I chronically forget so I burn and burn.
I have sun spots but the only mole I have DH checks weekly. No changes thankfully.

And you would think having a grandmother who had Melanoma would teach me. Alas, I never do learn very well.

Since you, Tex, said your's looked like a shiny freckle- being a rather freckly person- head to toe- Should I look for changes in freckles too? Is that even possible for a freckle to change? There is so much I don't even know. The only thing I do is have DH check the mole on my back to which he reports a no change always..

-- Edited by Jennie on Friday 9th of October 2009 11:22:04 AM

Alicia · Senior Member

I'm fair skinned, blue eyes with freckles. Eventually my freckles will combine and I will look like I have a tan. A kid on a hay ride said I was white. I said I was born that way. She went on talking about getting a tan and she was probably 10 years old. I went to a new derm months ago(acne and itching) and she removed a mole that I had all my life. I look bad but it always looked that way with no change. Anyway, it came back normal.

Joyce · Senior Member

Ok Kelly I am going to schedule a derm appt next week. i have been telling DH I was going to do it but haven't. I have quite a few moles that are concerning me. I am covered in freckles.

The one that concerns me most is right above my eyebrow. It has grown for sure and I think it is pink in the center of brown - it that what you were talking about Kelly?

daisy · Guru

mctex wrote:

daisy wrote:

mctex wrote:

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.

wow you had a melanoma?? i had no idea. where was it?
that is really scary - how old were you? good for you for being so astute.
i dont remember that situation on IV. how awful :(

Because I am really trying to put off running 12 miles in the rain for as long as possible today, I found this...

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppjul05n/?msg=10245.1

I was 29, and had it removed as a part of the health maintenance I was doing prior to giving up my really good health insurance I had with the job I was leaving to go back to business school.
It was right inside my bikini line -- which was my first reason to be suspicious, as that part of my body only saw sunlight in tanning beds, and it is that more sensitive skin (like on the bottom of your feet) that is more prone to melanoma development. And it just looked a little different than the million other ones that I had (have) that are similar looking all over my body (I'm a blue-eyed Italian, too ;) )... like when I moved/pinched the skin around it, it didn't move/morph/stretch with the shape of the skin as fluidly as the others did.
But it didn't really meet the criteria. It was dark, but it was smaller than 1 mm, and thus it was hard to really get a read on the borders. I'd had it for a few years by the time of the check up, and my derm suggested that we just watch it for 6 months, and if there were any changes, we could take it off. When I told her I was losing my good insurance, she agreed to just take it.
24 hours later, she called me back with the diagnosis, and to have a larger spot removed to see if the margins were clear. Fortunately, they were, and that was the end of it.
Since then, I've been pretty religious about my skin checks -- and I am sunscreen crazed with my children (ask anyone who's been with me and them IRL, LOL), but I've mostly just accepted it for what it is... you just can't live with the level of anxiety you've been experiencing for the past week all of your life, KWIM? Like I don't run with a hat, despite having super thin hair -- because I know I'll die of heat stroke if I do, LOL. (Although I do go through these occasional freak outs where I want to shave my head to make sure there's nothing there...)
I will say that when they found that mass on my liver this spring, it freaked me out horribly -- my greatest fear (almost expectation, when I'm feeling most anxious) is that something is going to get by me and spread before I find it. But for the most part, I believe that staying zen about this sort of thing is important to keep it from happening again.

thanks for sharing. how scary - i had no idea you had this experience. the bold is my biggest fear too, and i'm right there with 'expectation when i'm feeling most anxious' -- my fear has been worse since early this year (not-so-coincidentally coinciding with my vertigo and PMDD diagnosis). it's no way to live.

daisy · Guru

thanks for the link michelle.
though i should have waited for my next three biopsies....ug.....

Juanita · Guru

Thank you Kelly, and praying for you

daisy · Guru

Joyce wrote:

Ok Kelly I am going to schedule a derm appt next week. i have been telling DH I was going to do it but haven't. I have quite a few moles that are concerning me. I am covered in freckles.

The one that concerns me most is right above my eyebrow. It has grown for sure and I think it is pink in the center of brown - it that what you were talking about Kelly?

i'd have that one checked for sure.

i'm sure it's fine but you'll feel better just having it checked. go go go.

Supafly · Guru

daisy wrote:

thanks for sharing. how scary - i had no idea you had this experience. the bold is my biggest fear too, and i'm right there with 'expectation when i'm feeling most anxious' -- my fear has been worse since early this year (not-so-coincidentally coinciding with my vertigo and PMDD diagnosis). it's no way to live.

Total TJ here Kelly. How are things with the PMDD?

Did I tell you I started on an herbal supplement for that? So far, this month has been HEADS and tails above last month, and this stuff takes a few months to really work. It has to be worth a try though, if that is still causing you problems.

ITA about the fear thing too-I always think about the worst-that they will find something and it will be too late.

daisy · Guru

Supafly wrote:

daisy wrote:

thanks for sharing. how scary - i had no idea you had this experience. the bold is my biggest fear too, and i'm right there with 'expectation when i'm feeling most anxious' -- my fear has been worse since early this year (not-so-coincidentally coinciding with my vertigo and PMDD diagnosis). it's no way to live.

Total TJ here Kelly. How are things with the PMDD?

Did I tell you I started on an herbal supplement for that? So far, this month has been HEADS and tails above last month, and this stuff takes a few months to really work. It has to be worth a try though, if that is still causing you problems.

ITA about the fear thing too-I always think about the worst-that they will find something and it will be too late.

what herbal supplement are you taking?
i'm not sure how the pill is working for me, considering i was in such a tailspin this past week (it was very out of whack - some concern would have been normal, but i was absolutely a mess, couldnt stop crying, not eating, the whole bit - as negative of a thinker as i am, i knew that was an atypical response even for me).

the rage, on teh other hand, has been way better. i am much more in control of my temper and that's a REALLY good thing.

Supafly · Guru

daisy wrote:

Supafly wrote:

daisy wrote:

thanks for sharing. how scary - i had no idea you had this experience. the bold is my biggest fear too, and i'm right there with 'expectation when i'm feeling most anxious' -- my fear has been worse since early this year (not-so-coincidentally coinciding with my vertigo and PMDD diagnosis). it's no way to live.

Total TJ here Kelly. How are things with the PMDD?

Did I tell you I started on an herbal supplement for that? So far, this month has been HEADS and tails above last month, and this stuff takes a few months to really work. It has to be worth a try though, if that is still causing you problems.

ITA about the fear thing too-I always think about the worst-that they will find something and it will be too late.

what herbal supplement are you taking?
i'm not sure how the pill is working for me, considering i was in such a tailspin this past week (it was very out of whack - some concern would have been normal, but i was absolutely a mess, couldnt stop crying, not eating, the whole bit - as negative of a thinker as i am, i knew that was an atypical response even for me).

the rage, on teh other hand, has been way better. i am much more in control of my temper and that's a REALLY good thing.

I am taking Femtrol. It apparently takes 3-6 months to really fully work. But the reviews for it have all been positive! And so far, things have stayed pretty even keeled with me, though I am just not entering the really challenging part of my cycle since I ovulated on Tuesday. I'll keep you posted on how it seems to do this week and next.

I really don't want to be on the pill, or any hormonal birth control again, so I figured it was worth a try. It isn't cheap, but it is worth it to me, and I plan on keeping up with it to see if it really does make an impact.

I am so glad the rage is better!!! That is the really big thing for me. And seriously-totally understandable that you have been so upset!