Why I Had An Annoying Mole Removed Right Before My Wedding

A few weeks ago I had an “annoying mole” removed. Why do I call it annoying? Because this mole teamed up with psoriasis and would constantly flake and crack, and annoy. It lived on the back of my left arm, just north of elbow. While mostly out of eye line, it was always getting scratched or snagged on clothing. It would itch. It would demand attention when none was deserved. It was the kind of annoyance that borderline nags at you.

If it could talk, it would probably say, “Hi, I’m mole. I’m annoying and suspicious. And there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Oh, but there is...

Get your skin checked

Like the diligent little patient that I am, I now participate in biannual skin checks. Being on biologics, having repeated sunburns over the years, past use of tanning beds, as well as having autoimmune-mediated diseases such as Crohn’s disease and Psoriasis has left me at a higher risk to develop skin cancer. I’ve already had one precancerous freckle-looking thing removed from an area rarely exposed to sunlight.

At my most recent appointment, I once again pointed the suspicious (annoying mole) out to my doctor. My skin seemed to be particularly inflamed under and around the mole. It was cracking more than I’ve experienced over the years. I was concerned, and as you may have guessed — annoyed. I’ve only had one appointment with her where nothing was dissected for biopsy, but we came close that one time.

We discussed my wedding being a month away. The type of dress and the sleeves I was planning on adding. Why? It wasn’t just because she wanted to reminisce about her own wedding or talk about the details of mine, she was plotting.

Plotting what?

She was plotting to remove the mole because it was indeed suspicious… and annoying. Ugh.

Saying bye-bye to the mole

There were variables to consider like the odds of it potentially being cancerous, as well as the odds of my dress’ sleeves not covering it up. Or worse, what if the sleeve snagged on the annoying mole, or what if I had it removed and the scab got snagged? And then there’s always the risk of infection to contend with. Would I let my vanity rule out over common sense? Heck no!

But for a brief, and I mean brief moment, I looked down at my arm and wondered what would this annoying mole look like if captured in wedding pics. First, what would it look like in a professional wedding photographer’s snaps? Then, what would it look like when taken by a friend clicking away in a craft-beer haze? Lastly, what will a scar appear like in either set of photos? This stupid mole I’ve had since high school with its thickened, cracked, red and itchy edges is nothing like my other smaller moles.

It may be small, but this mole mixed with the psoriatic skin that surrounds it was consuming my thoughts. She determined that while the timing was unfortunate it was time for the annoying mole to say bye-bye.

Staying positive

She carved it off as she had done with the other biopsies. When I was ready to change the dressing, I finally looked. Well, holy moly — annoying mole ran deep! With the removal of my annoying mole, came the birth of annoying crater, which mingled with psoriasis making a hazy, red silvery scab. The darn thing began to take on similar shape and thickness as its originator. She instructed to use an ointment and to keep it moist as the skin repairs itself and evens out.

By the way, I loathe the word moist almost as much as I loathed annoying mole.

I’m a few days out from the wedding and the crater has filled in more, and the Psoriasis flare around it is much calmer. I guess that is a win. While I’ve yet to hear back from the doctor’s office, I’m hopeful that no news is good news.

Staying proactive

Around this time of year, time easily escapes you and excuses are easy to find. This is especially true when it comes to putting off a dermatologist appointment. I made excuses to not go to the dermatologist for several years. I felt like my appointments went nowhere, Psoriasis was always overlooked, and co-pays are expensive. After a three-year hiatus, I had a pre-cancerous fragment of skin removed. It never gave me grief. It was never annoying. It was there for a year or two asking to be ignored.

I realize that the timing of my skin re-check appointment and removal of the annoying mole wasn’t ideal, because of the wedding and pictures. However, cancer doesn’t wait because we want it to.

I got lucky once, and never again want to take that for granted. So, if you too have “annoying mole” or a suspicious something that tells you to pay no mind to it, take thee to the doctor for a look-see.