The Results Are In....

So, today, I went out and took my son to work.  I went to the library with my kids, went to Target and bought new school lunch boxes, and came home to a phone message from my dermatologist.

"Hi.  This is Dr. J.  I've gotten the results back on your biopsy, and I need to talk privately with you.  Please call me, and ask the receptionist to pull me, if I'm busy with a patient.  I'll go into a private room to talk with you. Please call me today."

Blink. Oh shit.  It can't be good when a doctor needs to give you the news himself, in a private room today, can it? 

I called for the results, and as soon as he got on the phone, he said, "I guess I've got you pretty worried, huh?"  Are you KIDDING ME?  I had to take notes to get it straight.  I was going to tell you what he said, but I've decided to just post my notes below the fold.

 It's melanoma.  Four millimeters, not the POINT four that I wrote when spacing on the phone call.  Actual conversation:

"So, what are you doing at 7:30 Friday morning?"  "Uuuh, eating breakfast - maybe meeting with you?"  "Correct."

I'm going in at 7:30 for a large excision.  Since the area is less than 5 mm, no chemo is necessary.  Unless it comes back wonky, when they send THAT area for pathology.  Actual end of the conversation:

"Whatever you do, don't look it up on the Internet.  Stay off the damned Internet."  "You mean I can't consult with Dr. Google???"

Wear your sunblock, pretty people.

Comments

[Vanessa]

Ok, so it wasn't nothing, but you are getting it taken care of quickly and no chemo. So that's good news right? Good luck, I'll be praying for you.

[Angela in Ohio]

Hugs.

[amy]

WOW. That is what I was worried about. BUT I will say that you were a wise woman to go in AND Do not go in the sun at all.any.more.ever. Wear sunblock everyday anyway. The good news is you caught it early, and I bet it is stage 1 which is the best news so that is why no chemo thank goodness. Ask the dermatologist to check all of your other moles when you go in just to be safe. (He probably was going to do that anyway.) I am really sorry. I know it is scary.

[Melene]

I'm really sorry it's not the news you wanted. I pray that all goes well on Friday and at all those re-checks too.

[Annika]

I've typed this comment four times now, and each one sounded more insensitive and/or idiotic than the last. So just know that I am thinking of you and sending you love and KNOW that you will be fine.

[Ruby]

I'm so glad you went to the dr! It sounds like they caught it early, and I hope the other checks are turn out ok.

[karin]

Feel pleased with yourself that you did everything right! You noticed that is wasn't looking right, you made the appointment to go to the doctor. Now he just does his job and this quickly becomes a distant memory :)

[KG]

Carmen,
Can you do us all a huge favor? Can you post a picture of it? Sounds crazy I know but I'm sure you saw the article in the Va Pilot Mon a.m. The one with the BLACK & WHITE pics of the skin cancer forms. Now the ad next to the pics for Roto-rooter were in full color... but the potentially lifesaving pics of skin cancer forms- impossible to see black & white... go figure!
I made Derm appts yesterday after reading that article & then your blog. Two signs in 48 hours, not good!
Hang in there gf! Keeping ya in my prayers...

[kirida]

I hope everything goes well and that you put on a lily pad and worshiped during your recovery. Hang in there.

[Heather]

Ok, so. I have no idea what exactly this all means and now I'm too afraid to look it up with the only Dr I can access at 10:51 pm...Google. Carmen, you need anything? I'm there. Saying prayers and hoping that Friday goes really well.

[Susan]

Prayers coming your way, from all of us...

[jen]

Holy Crap. I am so glad you went ahead and had it looked at. I go every so often and tell my dermatologist that xyz looks funky and she cuts it right off. So far, so good. Good luck, hon! I'll be thinking of you on Friday morning!

[Belinda]

Starting my prayers for you.

[Karen Sugarpants]

Still scary Carmen, and I'm thinking many good thoughts for you.
xo

[CharmingDriver]

Christ on a cracker, I am so sorry I missed your call today - I JUST saw it on my phone. If you're still up when you get this, call me - I don't want to call there and wake anyone up - 3 hr time difference SUCKS!!

Jaysus Carmen - I love you. This will a bad memory come Friday afternoon. Promise.

[Tammy/Photography for Fun]

Oh wow. You're in my prayers.

[Melanie]

Sending up a prayer for you! Hopefully Friday will be the last you have to deal with it - other than the re-checks!

[elizabeth]

I'll say a prayer for you tonight! I am so sorry, but glad it seems that it will quickly and not too invasively be taken care of. I know, right - to go back in time and wear a hat - to put on sunscreen. All those times I thought getting fried to a crisp was better than my natural skin tone :P ::sigh::

HUGS to you, dear lady!

[kalisah]

consider yourself on my list
xoxo
k.

[Headless Mom]

Prayers and hugs. Call if you need to talk...

[CJ]

Oh, CARMEN! praying for you.

[Kim/hormone-colored days]

Good for you for getting it checked out early. A lesson for those of us who put off dr. visits.

I hope it goes well. Sending good vibes and wishes for no wonkiness!

[Nancy]

My daily mass will be offered up for you tomorrow morning.
At least you went to the dr. EARLY and caught it. Many hugs to you dear one!

[Backpacking Dad]

Can I say that I'm weirdly relieved for you? A 4mm excision isn't nothing, but I'm relieved. I was way more than 4mm worried for you.

[Katie]

Echoing Backpacking Dads comment. Again being the eternal optimist, it could be so much worse. You are going to be ok because you were vigilant. This isn't meant to be a mean comment, so I hope it doesn't come across as it.