OK boys and girls, now that I can actually start typing again, I thought it was time to start telling my story.  It all began with my first yearly physical(which will become a mainstay now).

I have moles galore on my arms, neck, etc.  Therefore, one mole being a little different never really bothered me.  I'd look at it every so often and think, "maybe I should ask the doc about this?"  Well, that went on for a few years.  More than once or twice of thinking that should be enough, but I waited years.  I decided,   finally, that it was time for me to start up my yearly physicals and decided that I'd mention it to my doctor.

One look and she referred my to a near-by dermatologist.  Needless to say, I was expecting this and wasn't too shocked.  The next week, my appointment was set and off I went.

Sitting in the Dermatologist's office, I was getting definitely anxious with all the "what-if"s I could imagine.  However, each was quickly dismissed with a "nahhh, not going to happen" thought and I contented myself tinkering with my iPhone.  Then I get called back and when I tell the nurse why I am there, she takes one look at the mole and you can see she thinks it doesn't look good.

So, the Doctor comes in takes one look at the mole and says, "yep, that's gotta come off today."  So, we measure up the mole (turns out to be 7mm along its widest) and prepare for the punch biopsy.  After going over some history, the Doctor checks my scalp and upper body to make sure there's nothing else, but we don't do a lower-body check because I don't think its needed.

Well, they numb my arm up very well with some lidocane and epi.  I'm curious so I watch them use the tool to cut out an 8mm diameter circle for the biopsy.  It was pretty cool up untill the tool was removed and the little mole popped out and I found out the area wasn't completely dead. A snip, a few stitches and everything is done.  Didn't even take an hour.

So, now it was a waiting game.  The docotor was headed out of town in a few days, and she said that if I didn't hear back from her by Thursday, assume the best.  Needless to say, I heard back from her on Wednesday.