Saturday, August 28, 2010

a SHOT with flamingos...with a small side of angst

Christmas in August and a very cool shot glass...
what more could a couple of flamingos ask for?
Well, they could ask for something other than that ornament to go in the shot glass,
but, that's just me and my crazy thinking.
**Thanks Dena, my lovely BFF.  I love you and miss you something wicked!**

Are you wondering why I'm posting Flamingo Friday on a Saturday or does this not faze you anymore?
(^-^)
Let's just say, I was in a non-blogging kind of mood last night.

Yesterday, I went to the dermatologist.  On Monday, I had an itch on my back and was bending and twisting around to reach it when my fingers came across something that honestly? Was NOT there last week.  Or if it was, it wasn't noticeable.
So....as this is the day and age of being extra careful about our skin and bodies and such, I made plans to go to a doctor that a) speaks English,  b) is the brother of one of my students and c)comes with a ton of really good recommendations.
I got there about 9:30 and entered the waiting room and was like.....whooooooah! Crap.
There must have been 75 people waiting.
I felt a bit better when I realized that it was the waiting room for 5 doctors.
~~whew~~
Even then....it took about an hour and a half to get in to see the doctor.
After a quick examination, he assured me that what was growing on my back was indeed a normal thing and though it would probably get a little larger as time goes by, was "a benign skin tumor".
Benign.
What a wonderful word that is.
Skin tumor...I can do without but as long as it comes with benign, I'm okay.
He suggested that I watch it for awhile and recommended a procedure to remove it, but not yet...maybe in a year or two.

I went down to the main desk to get my medicine (for the itchiness!) and to pay my 1,250 yen (about $11) for the examination and meds.
I left the hospital and made my way to the car.
As I paid for the parking....my hands started shaking.
I dropped a couple of coins on the ground.
I got in the car.
Turned on the A/C.
Pulled out of the parking lot and.....
I had to pull over to the side of the road.
And cry.
I would love to be able to tell you how I was feeling but....
Relief doesn't even begin to touch the feeling I had at that moment.

Thank you, dear Lord for giving me a wake-up call to really start taking better care of myself and to pay more attention to what's happening
to my body the older I get.
Watch over and protect me.
Amen.




10 comments:

stephanie said...

You ARE taking care of yourself - you noticed a difference and got to a doctor right away (within a few days & hours :D).

So glad it turned out fine; I remember having that kind of reaction last year after my follow-up mammogram. Everything matters more in that sense of relief.

Blessings <3

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I'm so glad it was nothing. Those scares really do give you a lot of perspective, don't they?

Shellie said...

Debbie....{{HUGS}} to you, I am so glad you are ok. I am sure you shed many tears of joy. We never know when something might pop up to change our lives. We sit back and look our past and our futures when these occurences happen. We send up prayers and thank the big guy upstairs for taking care of us. Precious moments, days and years are still ahead of you enjoy them. <3 <3 to you.

Karen MEG said...

Debbie, that was a relief, and I understand why you would have reacted that way. I'm happy that it wasn't anything, I would have been bawling my eyes out too.

Moxy Jane said...

I totally, totally understand that feeling. And I am relieved FOR you and with you.

(((HUGS)))

Moxy Jane

Jason, as himself said...

Scary stuff! I'm glad you're okay.

Hula Girl at Heart said...

"Benign" and "Relief"-Two of the best words in the dictionary. So glad for you. Whew!

Janet said...

Benign is such a lovely word!!!

The Girl Next Door said...

You are taking great care of yourself! First, I would have waited eons to even think about going to the Dr. Second I would have walked out upon encountering 75 people. Except for $11 (seriously??) I might have stayed.

SO glad you got great words like BENIGN

The Girl Next Door said...

FORGOT to tell you - Buffett bound this weekend - I need me some of those flamingos! I am so having a drink for you!