Gimped

This past Monday I had the thrilling experience of having a chunk taken out of my leg. It started about a month ago when I had a biopsy done on a new mole that had developed. Being the fair skinned soul that I am, I knew I should probably check in with the doc about it so I did. The results of the biopsy said that while I didn’t have legit skin cancer, I had what they call a “Spitz Nevus”. Technically it is a benign juvenille melanoma which makes no sense, even the doc admitted this. Basically it's melanoma cells that aren't developing from what I gather. This usually occurs within the first 20 years of life, but the mean age for these is 22.How convenient that I am 22, guess I’m just your average Joe. Also, only 1 in every 100,000 people develops one of these. Lucky me.

So, I had to go back in to the doctor (after my surfing trip cause I wasn't about to let stitches keep me out of the ocean) to have them take the chunk out. He numbed the area but I was still awake so had/got to (depending on the moment) watch as he cut and took out a chunk of my leg. The incision was about 2 inches long, mostly oval, about 3/4 of an inch wide, and almost an inch deep. Yuck. Then he stitched me up, glued tape over the stitches and sent me on my way. The melanocytes are outta there!

Being the tough person I think I am, I didn't fill the prescription for the pain meds. I figured that since it was basic enough for me to watch and only get minorly sick, then I shouldn't feel that much pain. Wrong. So wrong. The numb didn't wear off for about 12 hours, but when it did I was happily asleep and rudely awoken by the unpleasant feeling of every stitch in my leg tugging my skin back together. It hurt a little, but was mostly just so uncomfortable, and then painful. I did not sleep the rest of the night, so needless to say, I filled the prescription the next day so that I could sleep that night.

Here are the unfortunate results:

• A scar that will be at least 2 inches long.
• Having to wear a skirt to work all week.
• Random stabs of pain in my leg that make me literally squirm.
• Having a significant limp since it is right above my knee, it pulls the stitches every time I bend my knee.
• Not being able to play in my first softball game.
• Not being able to play in my first football game.
• Climbing the stairs SUPER slow. (This is the first time that I haven't enjoyed the 3rd floor in 4 years)
• No swimming or boating for two weeks. (Just days after our pool finally opened)
• The process of getting to a sitting position on the toilet with one leg straight.
• Having to shower with saran wrap around my whole thigh which is uncomfortable and also means no shaving that area for two weeks.
• Oh yeah, having people see this beauty:

The fortunate results:

• Being cancer free!!! Worth it.