My Mother's Unpleasant Experience With A Cancerous Mole

by K. Garton
(Indiana)

My Mother is 76 and slowing down a bit but still in great shape. She had a freckle appear in the middle of her left cheek last summer. By Labor Day, the tiny brown dot had grown into a prominent dark mole. In addition, there was a second freckle now on her right cheek, almost symmetrical to the first.

My Mother does not visit the doctor unless there is no other option and takes very little medication. With a little prodding from my siblings, and me she agreed to see a physician soon.

I didn't see Mom again until Thanksgiving and was shocked. The mole had increased in size 3 times and was crusty. She had visited a doctor and he had diagnosed the growth as a cancerous mole. He referred her to a surgeon who she also visited.

The surgeon was less than cordial, wanted a large amount of money upfront and explained that she would need to see a plastic surgeon after the cancerous mole was removed because he did not do cosmetic surgery on the large hole that would be left. He cut and picked at the cancerous mole until it bled. My Mother paid for her visit and left, quickly.

Mom did make another appointment with another surgeon after Christmas and fortunately, he whisked her into his office, numbed her face and removed both cancerous moles and stitched her up professionally. She was fortunate to find such an outstanding physician who performed the job quickly and professionally. If she would have had another bad experience, I doubt the problem would have been taken care of until it was too late.

Today, you cannot even tell that there was once a cancerous mole with just a small dot where the large mole was. The smaller one didn't leave a mark. We laugh about the letter that came from the first surgeon two days after her visit stating that he would not be responsible for her illness, wanting her sign the contract and return. She didn't.

My Mother is now fine but only after the pleasant experience given by the second physician. If you are faced with such a traumatic situation with a cancerous mole, do not give up. You may have to visit more than one doctor but it will be well worth it.