i am in a bad situation, need some help please!

Kamel · New User Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 1

i am in a pretty tight spot. i'm 21 and living and working with my dad who's self employed. because i've lived and worked for him i don't have much of a job history, and i don't have a pay check or any benefits what-so-ever (bleh, i know i'm stupid for doing so, but that's a whole different can of worms).

my mother was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in her early to mid 30's. it's since been nearly impossible to remove because of her waiting so long to get it removed (she actually got a doctor to check it out who said it was perfectly ok, but that's yet another can of worms).

because of this, i like to check myself for suspicious moles and such frequently. i must say, i am lucky because i have a good complection and i do tan rather than burn normally. my mom's skin is prime for melanoma, pale and freckly, she gets burned usually and doesn't tan well.

well, i noticed and looked at this mole/freckle type object on my skin a long time ago and kindof put it on my list of semi-suspicions. i am more so suspicious with my skin than normal people because of my mom and her problems. so anyway, i recently have increased the concern for this area. the problem is not necessarily that the mole is changing or anything (it may very well have, but i have been negligant in watching it properly)... but it looks suspicious simply because it does not look like a normal mole.

now, granted, this mole WILL be removed as soon as i have the means to, no matter if the risk of it being cancer is low or not. my mom's fight with cancer has taught me one thing, wayyyy better to be safe than sorry. but, i am very concerned about it and have absolutely no means of paying for medical bills or anything like that. i don't have health insurance or really any way to get it (that i'm aware of). i'm 21 years old and i live in the knoxville area in tennessee.

what i'm getting at is, here is a very high resolution picture of the mole. i would like you all to give your opinion about it. i promise you, i absolutely will not hold anyone responsible for my health if it is cancer and you think it might not be... like i said, it's going to be removed regardless. i just want your opinion because... if it looks like cancer, i might consider something like trying to get a loan or something to get it removed. if not, i might enroll into school. i believe if i enroll into school i will get health care from the goverment (i wouldn't enroll just for that, i really want to start college, but haven't had the opportunity yet).

http://img455.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mole5rr.jpg

if the color looks a little odd, it might be because i've enhanced the picture to make the visibility a little better. the color of the mole looks either equally dark as any normal freckle, or possibly a bit darker.

please let me know your opinion. again, i absolutely positively am not going to ever accuse anyone of saying that the mole was this way or that way, i just want your honest unbias opinions.

thanks so much everyone

Kaelie · Regular Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 29

Kamel,

Hello, welcome, and you came to the right place (i hope) First, listen, and please please please don't take this the wrong way.

I think people are confused/misled about healthcare costs. I have had 4-5 suspicious spots/moles/freckles removed over the last year. The bills run together, but the total cost for one was $79. at the doctor, plus lab fees of $50.

These days $129 will barely buy you a night on the town. Piece of mind is worth a lot more to me than a night out =) well... sometimes, depends if Lonestar Steakhouse is involved... lol

Call your PCP and tell them the situation. Ask for a rough estimate. Doctors are willing to work with you whenever possible as well.

Another possiblity for you is to grab up some cheapie health coverage since you haven't been to a doc yet and there is no "PRE-EXISTING CONDITION" the words of doom for getting coverage.... You may even talk your Dad into getting it cheaper still for all employees.

As for your picture and going through the ABCDE's...

A is for asymmertical - yours appears to have symmetry.
B is for Border - yours does not appear to have an irregular border.
C is for colour - yours appears to be shaded differently in different areas, but you said you enhanced the colour in the pic
D is for diameter - yours is very tiny.. i see ridges of fingerprints?
E is for evolving - you didn't mention any changes.

I did read somewhere (of course I can't find it now...) that moles on the soles and palms needed to be watched more closely for changes.

You'd better post some results when you get them!

~K

LindaJoy · New User Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

I am not sure where you live, but where I live in Los Angeles there are county facilities that will see one for free who is low income.... Have you looked for free doctors, clinics or hospitals?

mkleslie · New User Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 3 Location: CA

When I had no insurance my dermatologist allowed me to be a "private pay" patient. As your dematologist for options. Let them know you are concerned but have no health insurance and ask for the Private Pay option. If they can't help you ask if you can pay it out. I feel they would be understanding. If not call a dermatologist that will help you.

Blessings,
Leslie
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