May is Melanoma Awareness Month 🖤 • ‼️ warning - graphic images of surgery ♥️ In January 2025 I went to my first ever dermatologist appointment • What I thought would just be another routine doctor appointment - turned into more than I imagined • My husband always went regularly and encouraged me to make this appointment • I am one who never checks my moles - I rarely wore sunscreen properly - I was a tanning booth frequent flyer in my younger years - why did I think “ this couldn’t happen to me “ • Within one minute of looking over my body the Dr said “I don’t like what I see“ - she proceeded to scrape off a mole on my shoulder blade • She completed my screening and I went on my way ♥️ Still holding onto “nothing will happen to me“ • A few days later I get an alert to check my patient portal • There were immediate tears when it didn’t read “clear biopsy” • What does this mean? What’s next? What will future appointments be like ? This could always be worse! Pray 🙏 • The doctor called me a little bit later to explain next steps • I would be sent to a different doctor who is known for his outstanding surgical techniques I went in to have Mohs Surgery - it was quick and painless - yay! 😀 • I went home and recovered • I was told to make quarterly dermatology appointments for the next year • I feel so lucky to have gone through a seamless procedure and recovery - while at the same time nervous for the future ♥️ My next appointment is very soon - I’m hopeful for a clean bill of health - but if you’ve read all of this - THANK YOU SO MUCH 🖤 •