M is for Melanoma

One of my biopsy's came back as Stage "0" melanoma.

Just when I thought I was ahead of the game.

Mom just called, dad's in the ER - they're probably keeping him overnight, at least.

Don't feel like talking much, plus I'm starting to cry again and can hardly see the screen, so I'll just leave it at that for now.

The trauma of the doctor...blech! GRAPHIC POST

Alrighty folks...Tuesday I had the "pleasure" of having a bascal cell carcinoma removed from my back. I have been traumatized ever since, and hardly able to talk about it! I still may pass out and end up a pile of goo next to my computer, as I type.

Skin cancer is NOT pretty. Even when you have the "best" kind, like me. Ugh. I had no idea what I was truly in for, until I was in really deep. I knew I would be numbed. I did NOT know I would be pricked FOUR TIMES with needles. I HATE needles. I yelped. It effin' hurt. After I was pricked, I had to lie there for a bit, so I would "numb up" real good. That was hell. I felt like I had laid there for days. I bet it was 5 minutes. So the doc comes in, checks me out, we're ready. Let's get this shit done. The actual cancer was removed in a heartbeat. I could'nt believe it. I was relieved. But it went downhill from there. I had an unruly blood vessel that wouldn't stop bleeding. They had to cauterize it. The sound of that and just thinking about what was going on, caused me to nearly pass out. Thank god I was already face down on a table. I kept taking really deep breaths to try and calm myself down. I was shaking like a leaf. After that was handled, time to stitch me up. WAAAH. I had multiple layers of stitches. Some underneath the skin, and about 4 on the outside (I havent looked yet, I'm not ready). It felt like it took forever to close me up. I really thought I was going to black out and/or vomit. At some point near the beginning of the procedure, I had to tell the doctor to STOP telling me what he was doing back there, because it was making me feel even worse.

When they were done, I had to lay there for a few moments and get myself together. The nurse asked if I was OK because I was breathing so deeply. I told her I was trying to make sure she didn't have to pick me up from the floor, ha!

I'm not allowed to lift anything or do any movements that could cause the stitches to tear, for THREE WEEKS! Doc says its like a "zipper" - move the wrong way and bam, it will open right up. GAG. It's in a weird, unreachable spot on my back...lovely. I have to clean it and change the bandage 2x a day for 2 weeks. Thankfully there is a nurse at work, so that takes care of Monday -Friday. I had to call on my mom for "mom duties" a few nights this week, had to have her come by after work and clean me up. Gross!

On a worse note, there is another spot on my shoulder - I showed the doctor - he said he was 90% sure that would have to be cut out too - I get a biopsy for that in 2 weeks, when I go back to get these stitches taken out. So knowing that I am going to have to do this again is tripping me out. Hopefully this time won't be as bad, because this spot just appeared over the course of the past few months, while the one on my back had been there for a good 5+ years.

This is no fun at all. I just want to be cancer free already! I'm also bummed, I love the sun - the ocean, the pool, the beach, working in the yard, planting flowers. Summer is my time. Guess I'll just have to be slathered up in SPF 10,000 when I go out from now on, sniff sniff... this pasty white girl is gonna be pasty white forever and ever!

Well, that's enough for now..got a busy day on tap..oil change, post office, sis's baby shower disguised as a BBQ (I got her this rockin' IKEA high chair), NASCAR this evening..Hope everyone has a stellar, worry free weekend!

TOMORROW'S THE DAY, and EXTENDED FREE SHIPPING

Hello.

I'm extending my free/discounted shipping offer through February. So take advantage and save a few buckaroos!

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Tomorrow I'm having my cancer cut out. I'm starting to feel a bit sick at my stomach. Its going to be the longest 30 minutes of my life to date, I'm sure :( Blech.