Most of my family and friends know that I have dealt with fear and anxiety for a while now.  One of the areas that fear has frozen me is in going to the doctor.  I am not so much afraid of the outcome of the appoinment, but the actual appointment itself.  My blood pressure rises and I feel faint and so on……….

So in January, I went to see my primary care doctor and she was a new doctor to me.  So during an examination for other reasons, she saw a mole on my shoulder and immediately told me that it needed to be checked as soon as possible.  She referred me to a dermatologist.

After cancelling the appointment twice and then using the wedding as an excuse to procrastinate, I went on July 20 to see the dermatologist.  I almost let my fear and nerves stop me but then God gave me such a peacefulness that I was able to keep the appointment.  Once the dermatologist saw the mole, he insisted on removing right then and there.  Now I was alone and nervous but the doctor actually kind of made me angry and that was a great motivator for me.  He did the removal and sent it off for a biopsy with the promise of results within 7 days.

When I left the office, God gave me peace and I felt a sense of accomplishment for having gone and gotten it checked.  I had a knowing in the back of my mind that something wasn’t right, but I wasn’t fearful at all.  I received the news that the biopsy same back as Melanoma, skin cancer, Stage 1.  Our family hasn’t had really any experience with cancer so after hearing the results, I automatically got online to read about Melanoma.  What I read was that catching it early is the key to beating it and Stage 1 is very early.  Once again I had peace that all was clear but I needed to undergo the procedure of removing a centimeter of skin around the original site of the mole.

I arrived for the small surgery and decided to just do it under local anesthesia.  I was nervous but God calmed me.  I had the procedure done on my sister Tamara’s birthday and the nurse introduced herself to me and her name was Tamara.  That was just one of the small signs of reassurance God gave me that day.  I turned up my praise and worship and Gaither music and waited for it to be over.  When it was, I left the office to await another biopsy and 22 stitches in my shoulder.  I got word a few days later that all was clean and clear.

I don’t want this to be more dramatic than it needs to be.  By the grace of God, I caught this really early.  With His help fear didn’t keep me from getting this checked.  I would just encourage everyone to get things checked when advised and especially don’t let fear hold you back.

“God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

Here’s a couple photos just to show the mole before and the 22 stitches.

Someday soon I will share how God has healed me from anxiety and fear and is continuing to work with me daily on improving in these areas.  By the way, thanks for all the prayers that have been coming my way.  God Bless!