Today I’m typing with a sore arm, and I’m grateful for it!  I have the Helping Hand Clinic here in Sanford to thank for this soreness.  A couple of months ago, I found a mole on the back of my upper arm that fit almost all of the definitions for suspicious.  It was Asymmetrical, the Borders weren’t clearly defined, the Color wasn’t uniform, and though it wasn’t large, it’s Diameter grew after I first noticed it, so it was Evolving.  Having a grandmother who died of melanoma and having already had a mole removed that had some abnormal cells in it, I am a little paranoid.  Some women are diligent about doing self breast exams, I’m diligent about mole patrol.  (Though I’m now becoming more diligent about the SBEs, too.)

I tried to sit back and watch it, knowing that we don’t have insurance and couldn’t afford to have it removed right now.  I didn’t say anything to anyone, but it continued to grow and change and I knew I needed to have it checked.  A friend had sent me the information about Helping Hand several months ago in case I needed it.  And then my husband came home and told me that he’d heard about a woman who’d had a melanoma removed for free through the clinic.  He had no idea I was concerned about this mole, so it seemed like God was nudging me to call them and see if they could help.

They referred me to Sanford Dermatology and I had it removed Thursday.  Biopsy results to come, but I feel strangely confident that everything will be fine.  I cannot say enough good things about the clinic or Sanford Dermatology.  I am so grateful to them for the service they provide to people who are in a bad situation.  I am hopeful that one day I can pay them back for the treatment I received.  In the meantime, if you have the means, please consider sending them a donation so that they can continue to provide help for people who are uninsured.

Filed under: Health, Sanford