August 7, 2020

PSA: Get Checked Out




See that teeny tiny spot under my eye?
The one that looks like a pimple?



Well, it popped up on my face back in February. I hardly noticed it at all. And when I did, I assumed it was a pimple. It sure looked like one. The thing was, it never went away. I had scheduled my first skin check at the dermatologist, suggested by my primary care physician because I am fifty now. She thought it would be a good idea. As you may remember, I have OCD and Health Anxiety, and the thought of going to a skin check is one of my triggers. But something about this made me want to get it checked. I called and asked if my appointment could be moved up, and it was.

I went to the appointment, and it wasn't the anxiety-ridden experience I had allowed myself to believe. In fact, it was the opposite. It was very reassuring. All the spots and marks I had feared were totally normal. The doctor explained what they were and gave them a name. All except for this new little pimple. She felt it was nothing sinister, but suggested a biopsy just to be sure. I am so thankful she did. Because that tiny spot turned out to be a Basal Cell Carcinoma. Yep. Skin Cancer. 

You know, the funny thing is, I was ok. First off, Basal Cell is the most common form of skin cancer. It is slow-growing, easily treatable, and very rarely spreads. Also, I realized that this was one of the things I had feared for so long. This was it. All the time I spent fretting and worrying and researching...because that is what Health Anxiety sufferers do...came down to this. And you know what? It was ok! I had it. I found it early. Let's deal with it. And so we did.


Yesterday found me in a dermatologist office a few hours away, having something called Mohs Surgery. And just like that, it is gone. I share this personal information not to frighten or create worry. Rather, simply inform anyone reading to follow your instincts, face your fears, whether imaginary or real and get anything you feel concerned about checked out. It might not be, but if it is, you can deal with it. 

I dislike the sun. I avoid it like the plague. I never tan. I wear sunscreen. I am white as a sheet. I got skin cancer. Most likely from one of two burns I had as a child. So take this as it is offered, please. Not preachy. Not authoritative. Simply as a caring, friendly reminder to take care of yourself. And get checked. 

Have a good weekend, my friends.
I will share some photos of the new house next week.
Thanks for visiting!

22 comments:

  1. Good for you Billie Jo. I'm glad you had this taken care of.

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  2. You definitely did the right thing in going to the doctor early and glad you got it taken care of, PTL.

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  3. Good for you! My husband had the same type of skin cancer on his leg. We saw a spot that wouldn't go away, made an appt, they did a biopsy and they said it was skin cancer. He had more removed and now he is good. Thankful! I am happy that you got it checked out. We have to take care of US! HUGS!

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  4. So glad you had it checked out and taken care of! Have a good weekend!

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  5. Glad you got it checked out early and found out. Thank you for sharing. Have a healthy, happy Friday and rest of your weekend!

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  6. Thank you for posting this.

    And I am so very happy, that you went and had it checked, and taken care of.

    By the way, I understand OCD. Intimately...

    "Beside a babbling brook" blog
    'Miss BB'🐝🐝

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  7. You are so good to share this, the spot looked so harmless. You were brave and took action. I had a MOHS surgery done on my scalp in 2015, it is good to catch these problems early.

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  8. So glad you found it and got it taken care of. I will now be looking at my own skin more closely. Thanks and stay well, my friend.

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  9. Good to keep in mind! Always check.

    Glad your situation turned out so well!

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  10. I'm so sorry. Last year I had 3 Mohs surgeries believe it or not. I have more spots and was diagnosed with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome. I wrote about it before. You'll scar so make sure you get scar cream wants you heal. Praying you don't get any more. Basal Cell is the better of the cancers but it's still no fun. Hang in there.

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  11. Oh, BJ I am so sorry to hear you had to deal with that. It is good that you fought it early and took care of it! I'm sending you a big hug your way!

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  12. I'm so happy your little pimple is taken care of; that is scary, but you faced your fears.
    I had my skin check last week also.

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  13. This is so odd. I just got the name of a dermatologist last week to go and have a check up. I have a couple of spots that I know need looking at. Sigh...always something.
    Glad you caught yours early and got it taken care of now. xo Diana

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  14. Oh Billy Jo what a blessing that you found it early! God bless you dear friend. Hugs to you. ~Juli

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  15. I'm so sorry to hear about this, Billie Jo, and I'm glad you were informed about it and took care of it. I feel for you having to go see the doctor and have a procedure done right now during this dreadful virus time. But God watches over us, I am sure about that.

    Have a lovely week.

    ~Sheri

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  16. I go for a full skin cancer screening every year now thanks to the spot I had removed from my face a couple of years ago. Glad you caught this early!

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  17. I had Mohs surgery on my cheek five years ago. I basically ignored the little white spot on my face for several years... not a good idea. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

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  18. So glad you got checked out and caught it early.

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  19. I'm so glad you got it checked out and trusted your instincts.

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  20. I'm so glad you faced your anxieties and followed your instincts. So very important!! Thanks for sharing this. My Dad has had to have the same procedure twice. But catching it early did mean everything and he's been great since and in his mid 70's! I keep a close eye on my skin too and check with the MD too. Most of all I'm so happy you're okay ❤️

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  21. Glad you got it checked and caught it early. I have all sorts of moles and spots that have popped up in recent years. I had a mole on my back removed earlier this year, and the dr did a quick check with a light of other spots and said they were all fine.

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo