Sort of OT: Skin Change

So here's the truth (thank goodness for the privacy the lounge offers):

I'M SCARED! There, I said it.

I have a mole that I've had since I was little, and it's changed color (reddish, with dark brown in the middle only), borders (now uneven and blotchy), and seems a little bigger (if only because it's oval, not round anymore). I went to the doctor, they referred me to a dermatologist and I have to wait another week to get in... I'm becoming terrified!

Does anyone have any experience with this? Or have any words of wisdom to offer? I know I went the right way, by responding to it, I'm just not a good "wait-er"... So, any advice to deal with this? (PS: I've 'Googled' and looked at pictures and know that theres 4 ways it could go: nothing and the other 3 are not particularly good news).... but personal information is always welcome. Thanks!
:) I *heart* PT.

Wed. Jun 13, 7:12pm

I too have a mole. It changes every so often. doctors have looked at it, but says its nothing to worry about. I still worry about it, but try not to let your immagination go wild.. wait and see what the doctor says about it. just may be something easily treated.. may not be anything at all.. try to stay calm and not panick. I wish you the best.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 7:27 PM

It's hard not to panic because quite frankly there is always that little chance. It may be morbid but I always track down the worst possible scenario (complete with pics and gory treatment descriptions) so I can either be prepared or feel incredibly blessed when it turns out to be nothing. I try not to be hypochondriac about it or inflict gloom 'n doom stories on my family - it's for my own personal knowledge. Best wishes!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 7:47 PM

same poster. stop looking up info. it will only scare you more.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 8:18 PM

OP here...thanks... i like to at least know if i had a good reason to go to the doctor to get it checked, but it makes me feel better that it might just be changing...

thank you! :)

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 9:23 PM

my husband has moles on his back and they change shape and color. every year he gets them looked at (he has blue eyes, but not fair skin). sometimes they have him remove them for biopsy, but usually they just say they are fine. i always worry because they seem strange when they change color. but the drs always say they are fine!

my grandpa did have skin cancer, but like anything else, early detection is key. he is fine. so you did the right thing making a dr. appt. Just in case!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 9:28 PM

everytime i get a new mole or discover a questionable one i have it immediately removed. luckily, none of them have come back malignant, but i'm not willing to take that risk. i suggest seeing your normal dr. he'll be able to diagnose whether or not it needs to be removed or not. it's very painless... and worth the peace of mind. keep us posted....

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 9:51 PM

that's good to know that it's fairly easy if it does need to be removed... (i'm 23) i live on my own and my family was wanting to come 'take care of me' if anything needed to be done... and i'd rather just take a little down time by myself and then go back to work without feeling as though i would be 'entertaining' company... so thanks for at least reassuring me that if they do take it off it won't be a big deal. i keep telling myself these things, but someone else saying it helps! :) since i'm a grad student my 'normal doctor' is student health and they referred me out of the system because their dermatologists don't do biopsies or removals... they said it's at the size where they tend to just take it off and then determine if it's okay or not but that's all they said. thank you for the reassurance! (OP)

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 10:30 PM

Hang in there! Having a mole removed is an easy office procedure..a little novacaine and you are good to go. You really don't feel much and the healing time isn't bad. Also, if worse comes to worse and the mole is malignant most skin cancers are highly treatable. Melanoma, the most serious kind of skin cancer is NOT the most common kind (basal cell or squamous cell is)...so take a deep breath and cross that bridge only if you have to. You can also ask the doc to remove the mole if you are worried. Might just give you some relief. Best wishes!! and you should post back when you see the dermatologist because a lot of people will be glad to give you support.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 10:42 PM

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