Diagnosis: Old
One night last week, during my nighttime routine, I glanced in the mirror and noticed a BRIGHT RED moley type thing peeking out from under my hair.
So I did what any normal, 21st century woman does. I Googled it. I quickly learned it was either something Totally Fine or something Very Bad.
Because I’m an excellent patient, I called my doctor the next morning and booked an appointment. A few days later, we had our visit.
He told me right away that it was nothing to worry about (a cherry hemangioma, to be specific) and I should only be concerned if several of them popped up at once. He also pointed out that it’s possible that it had been there for a long time and just never noticed it.
And then there was the dagger to the heart.
“You know, they become much more common with age.”
“Excuse me?”
“Things like that, moles — they become more common with age.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“I’m not saying you’re old, I’m just stating a fact that you are getting older. Everyone is getting older. People don’t get younger.”
“So your diagnosis is a cherry hemangioma probably brought on by age?”
“Basically.”
“Great.”
Obviously I realize that 28 isn’t old. It’s not even close. But it is quite humbling when a medical professional tells you that you’re experiencing something because of the aging process.
Oh well, at least I’m not dying. Not right *now* anyway. Although, getting older is technically dying. Just v e r y s l o w l y.
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i feel your pain. it’s like last year when i asked my dermatologist what these strange light brown spots on my chest were (larger than freckles, smaller than moles) and she said AGE SPOTS. i almost fainted.
I get those too Val… and my dermatologist told me that some people just tend to get them more than others as well… regardless of age. I like to think that it’s a genetic thing–totally unrelated to age =)
I actually had to have one removed one time because it was right below my eye, just below my lash line. As it grew, it really irritated my eye, so they zapped it. Let me tell you THAT felt really great
28 rules!!!! We are TEH PRETTIEST
So that is what’s on my belly — thanks, Val! It’s been there a while, but I never worried about it. My OB didn’t say anything when I was pregnant with Josie, so I guessed it must not be anything bad. At least now, it has a name.
My eye doctor tested me to see if I needed reading glasses this year. Seriously? I was offended.
i’ll turn 30 while in the Bahamas so it won’t even count!