Tuesday morning I had surgery and then we drove my mom to the airport for her to fly back home.
After Bracken was born, I noticed a spot on the side of my nose. It kept growing and changing rapidly. My intuition told me that I needed to get it taken care of. My feeling was that I didn’t need to worry about it, but I needed to be proactive and get it removed. I hadn’t even been to the doctor since early 2005 (I think?), so I went to Jeff’s doctor. I told him I wanted to make an appointment because I believed I had skin cancer on my face. He said I was way too young to have it and might have thought I was worrying too much, but when he saw it he agreed that it didn’t look right. I went to a dermatologist and they tested it. Sure enough. Skin cancer. So I had surgery on Tuesday to remove it. Jeff and my mom were both there to take care of Bracken. The people there were great and they did a good job. Yet I was still afraid, anxious, and I was so glad when it was over. The hardest part was not being able to nurse Bracken for awhile afterwards because of the anesthesia I had in my system. That was really hard. But we made it through.
I had plans for the week to go hiking, blueberry picking and so much more. But the surgery was more intensive than I thought it would be and I cancelled all my plans. My face was swolen, bruised, and puffy. I felt sensitive, sore, quiet, inward, and just needed to be home. There was extra snuggling with Bracken, a movie night (which usually only happens on Friday), a slower pace, more reading, and an afternoon nap. I’m on the mend.
We will not be making it to market tomorrow. I am looking forward to having a weekend at home, which is much needed right now.
I wrote this to share that you are never too young to check for skin cancer. Trust your intuition if it tells you that something is off. Take good care of yourself!
Does this mean that I am going to hide out in a cave, avoid the sun, or slather myself with chemical sunscreen? No way. I’ll write more about this soon.
hugs and healing to you, taryn!
Dear Taryn,
I have had some computer problems so I couldn´t be online the last days.
I hope you are feeling better and are healing!
Love and light to you.
Heike
taryn, so sorry you had to go through that but so glad you’re okay! it must have been so difficult to not be able to nurse until the anesthesia was out of your system… so glad jeff and your mom were there for you…
sorry i’m a bit late with this… we had weekend guests and i wasn’t online for several days… hope you’re feeling much, much better now!
love,
teri
Oh my. What a difficult time with anxieties and the separation from Bracken – thankful you had the support of Jeff and your mom. So glad you are healing up – rest well, Taryn! Much love to you!
Oh dear! So glad you caught it early! Rest well and heal this week, dear. 🙂
Hoping your healing and enjoying Braken snuggles. Good thoughts from our family to yours!
So glad you caught it early and that the surgery went well. Rest well.
So glad you caught it early and that the surgery went well. Rest well.
Looking forward to hearing more about your thoughts on this. I had a discussion about skin cancer with a woman the other day, and learned quite a bit from that. She had a similar situation as you, only she didn’t act on it for over a year. You were wise to attend to it quickly.
Take care, Taryn. Glad you are through this and on the mend.
Taryn!
Wow, so glad you followed your intuition and stood up for yourself (despite others saying you’re too young, and you’re worrying too much). Yeh! And I’m so glad you got it removed, rather than ignoring it. Good for you!! Cancer, GAH! How weird.
And also so glad your surgery went OK and that you’re able to be home, resting at a slower pace. Surgery is so nerve-wracking — the anticipation of it. Ugg. I’ve had 2 surgeries in the past 2 years, and I was SO nervous and fearful that I wouldn’t wake up from the anesthesia! Before the first surgery I was so nervous and distracted that I accidentally locked myself out of the house! Sheez.
What a relief when you wake up and it’s over and you’re still alive. 🙂 At least it was for me.
I’m glad you had Jeff and your mom there to support you and help with little Bracken.
Sending you so much healing energy!!! Be really good to yourself,
Much love,
Lindsey
I am so glad you go it taken care of! I have a few questionable moles that I have been avoiding. My uncle got malanoma at 24, so I have always been aware of the possibility no matter how old. Healing vibes to you, hope you are feeling better soon.
Taryn, I am so glad you got that taken care of. Have you gotten results as to what kind it is yet? My mom just had a place taken off her neck AGAIN Monday. She’s 79 now. She has had several places taken off so far. I have a few spots on my hands. I also have a few on my face I need to have checked out soon. I am like you though. I am in the sun alot and so not trust the sunscreen stuff. You just have to be careful. I hope all is well and you are back to yourself soon. And I hope others that see this will go themselves if they have something they are concerned with.
Take care! You need to rest and recharge. I am so glad you were aware of your self and that something was wrong. Be good to yourself and rest awhile.
Big hug mama… I’m so glad you are wise enough to trust your intuition. I have a lot of moles and freckles and need to be very careful too. Im surprised you found one so young as well, but I have had friends that young get them too… I’m glad you are alright, and healing… Much love to you and family.
Heal and mend dear friend! I am sorry you had to have surgery, always a fraught thing – you sound brave and courageous. Remember you are a healer and to use those special talents and skills on yourself. And you are right, we are never too young for skin cancer and your proactive decision was so wise.
Hi Taryn
Sorry to hear about your your health challenges at the moment…So I’m sending healing thoughts to you and your family from Sussex in England…
and here’s to a speedy recovery..
Blessings
Julie x
Thank goodness you spotted it and did something about it.
I am glad you are on the mend. Rest well my lovely.xxx
Oh you poor thing Taryn. So glad you listened to yourself and had it seen to. You’re right, many young folk would not follow it up.
Of course, the best medicine is those ovely squishy hugs from Bracken and your wonderful man.
Take care of yourself and take time to rest up.
Lots of love & hugs from way downunder!
🙂
Sending “all healed” thoughts your way, Taryn. Be well 🙂
Taryn, thanks for sharing.
I hope you have a restful, invigorating weekend with your lovely family and healing nature surrounding you. Love to you from Seattle, Jennifer
Thanks SO much for sharing this post – so glad to hear you are doing OK, and that you took care of this. It’s true though, that surgery is intense no matter how ‘minor’ they say it is! So take good care mending up 🙂
I just got my moles checked recently – I hate to go to the doctor, but as much as I’m in the sun (without chemical screen also) and as many moles as I have, I thought it was wise. Thankfully mine were normal, and a couple were harmless sebaceous cysts (!?) but I do think you are never to young to take charge of your health and to pay attention. I’m so glad you did!
Take good care, sweet mama.
Healing love and thoughts to you.
Oh, Taryn! Many healing blessings from me to you. I hope you recover quickly and feel normal again soon!
I’m interested to hear your take on avoiding sun, using sunscreen, etc as we love to be in the sun and don’t use sunscreen.