WARNING: Not For The Weak

While we were in Idaho for Thanksgiving, M had a mole removed. A few days later my brother texted me and let me know that the pathology report came back abnormal. I kind of had a freak out moment because I wasn't sure what that meant and I didn't want anything to be wrong with M. It's a scary thing to think that something could be wrong with your child. I wished over and over that it was me who had something wrong, not my daughter. Alec reassured me that everything would be fine. So, M and I hitched a ride with Mom and Dad and headed back to Idaho 2 weeks later. When we got there Alec explained that when moles are removed they rate them on a scale from normal to melanoma. Midline on that scale is atypia. Then, atypia is rated from mild, moderate, and severe. M's mole was severe. So, I was very relieved that we caught it when we did and that we were getting it taken care of.

I watched the procedure and it was very interesting. He numbed the area and then removed the remaining mole and some of the skin around it. This picture is after everything was removed and he is stopping bleeders, and cleaning it up, getting it ready to be stitched.

Here is the piece that was removed. A little gross, I know.

Here she is all stitched up. She did great. DH gave her a blessing before we left and then I got a blessing from my Dad when we were in Idaho. I know that helped calm me down and gave me peace of mind that things would work out.

Afterwards her Aunt Kelly took her to get a shake and bought her a few books. What a nice Aunt. She was pretty sore for the first couple days and then off and on for the next 2 weeks. The day after Christmas I removed her stitches. She still has to take it easy for the next week or so, but things are healing well. Her pathology report came back clear. Yeah! I'm so grateful that we caught it. I'm also grateful for a wonderful brother who does amazing work and was able to help us out. Now we have to be careful and keep an eye on her moles.