Peevish rant because I’m itchy
I’ve got stitches in my back right now, and they itch like crazy. I had a dermatologist appointment earlier this week, and she removed a suspicous-looking mole for biopsy. It looked suspicious to her, that is. I had a hard time finding it in the mirror, and it looked little different to me than the dozens of other moles around it. That’s why I’d sought the opinion of a professional.
The chunk of skin she cut out is in a difficult place that makes reaching and lifting difficult, both of which are frequent as I care for my toddler Drake. I also get the joy of waiting two weeks to find out whether anything is wrong.
For the past fifteen years, I’ve been a fairly conscientious user of sunscreen and protective clothing and general sun avoidance. And in spite of fifteen years of good behavior, I still had a chunk of my skin removed this week.
I write this for all of you that still go out in the sun without sunscreen, that go to tanning salons or who actually lay out in sun trying to get tan.
Stop fooling yourself. At best, you’re just aging and drying your skin. At worst, you’re courting cancer. Unless you have the green light from your dermatologist to go out in the sun with abandon, and I’m betting you don’t, then you know it’s bad and you do it anyway. Cut it out.
Or you’ll be like me, and your dermatologist will cut it out for you, and you’ll have stitches that hurt and itch and if you’re lucky, that will be all.
December 14th, 2005 at 9:31 pm
wow. i am going through the EXACT SAME experience right now! i had a mole removed from my back the very day before you! and, like yourself, i also have a toddler (and the darn stitches are right on my lower shoulder blade which makes it next to impossible to move my right arm w/o the bandage bothering me). and, like yourself, i have to wait 2 tortourous weeks to find out what’s going on…
i hope we’re both 2 of the lucky ones who are only stuck w/ 3 stitches that hurt & itch like mad…..