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I need to be a dermatologist...they are loaded

So I went in to the dermatologist today to have some moles checked out because there were some that I was genuinely convinced were suspicious. After literally 30 seconds of looking at all of my moles, I was reassured that they all looked fine. Really? I paid a $30 copay for this?! Then the doctor looked at Cole's birthmark (which just so happens to be a really big mole) and said the same thing. Another $30 copay. There should be some sort of website where you can just talk via web cams and show them your situation. If it's bad looking--you will go in to the office. If it's fine...you can avoid the massive amount of money it takes just to be looked at. I know I sound like I WISH some of my moles were cancerous (and maybe I do...because it would be REALLY nice to have some of them removed but of course it would be considered a "cosmetic" routine) but it's just a lot of money to spend "just in case" something is wrong. Especially when 90% of the time everything is juuuust fine. I know, I know--it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm just whining and I know I sound like a brat.

Anyway, the worst part comes here: we were out in the sun quite a bit yesterday and I got a nasty sunburn...which is weird because I was totally using sunscreen. For real. Of course it happens the day before I go see a derm. She took one look at my back and was HORRIFIED. I got a massive lecture on protecting my skin and being an example to my kids (ouch) and how even a tan can lead to skin cancer. Of course I knew all this but it's extremely worse hearing it when being lectured by a dermatologist when you have a bright red back. It was pretty humiliating. I promised her I'd be better. The crappy thing is that I'm not one of those people with creamy white skin that looks gorgeous when it's fair. I have freckly, uneven colored skin that looks better when it's tan. *Sigh* I know I should be a good girl and not let my skin burn or tan...I guess I'm just too proud. Please tell me I'm not the only one...
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Bleu and Mickaela said…
I was teased a lot in HS about my white skin. I was called albino on more than one occasion. seriously. The other favorite was "whitey" and "very caucasion". It bothered me a lot, but then I read Gone with the Wind and found out that back in the good ol' days, women were praised for thier white skin. I am white. and proud. I have freckles, and NOT an even skin tone. And now, people compliment me on my white skin--My aunt calls my two sister's and I "the three porceline dolls." It's all in the way you look at it. Love the skin you're in! I always thought you had very pretty skin and a very pretty face. You're Beautiful, RaeLynn!! Now tell yourself, and believe it! Love ya. ;)
June 26, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Kendall and Norda said…
I'm a whitey too. Freckly and white, and if I do manage to absorb some sunshine, I don't get very tan at all. Just a lesser white you could say. Maybe even pinker. Anyhow, I was at the pool a couple of weeks ago and upon me taking off my towel and making a dash for the water, a girl stopped me and said, "I'm so glad I'm not the whitest one out here! Now I can get in the pool." No joke. Yes, this girl knew me and I know she didn't mean to be rude, honestly, I wasn't sure if I was offended. Actually, it made me feel a little better knowing my whiteness made someone else feel better. HAHA!
June 26, 2009 at 12:19 PM
bevany said…
You're so not the only one. I'm even worse because I don't like putting sunscreen on my kids because I want THEM to be tan. Man, I'm pathetic. But...I decided that we all need friends and/or relatives that are dr's of some sort so we can get looked at for free. Right?
June 26, 2009 at 4:11 PM
janet said…
Last week, I used sunscreen for the FIRST time in twenty years. I love the sun and I am sure I will get cancer someday.

I had my first baby in July and the day I went into labor, I was at the pool getting sunburned. I ended up getting an epidural and when they pulled the tape (from the needle) off my back, all my skin came with it. The nurses were all freaking out, and I didn't think it was a big deal. It didn't feel as bad as labor did..

Anyway, back to the dermatologist.. a $30 co-pay is nothing. I wonder what she actually got paid for that visit. I am sure it was several hundred. My doc just ran my blood and lucky for me the insurance paid the bill-- $1250. For a few blood samples. crazy. I guess they have medical school debt to pay off.
June 29, 2009 at 9:27 AM
skcoe said…
You're not the only one. I LOVE BEING TAN. All my life I was the "chicken legged white girl." BOO.

So in my early twenties I started tanning and couldn't BELIEVE a tummy could be so brown. I was in heaven. But after not going in two years and then a bad "falling asleep in the tanning bed" incident in 2003, I swore it off and vowed to be better.

Fast forward to my Mexico trip earlier this year. I HAD TO BE TAN! So back to the beds I went...and I'm loving the brown. But I really need to make the decision to stop once my credits are gone, and just spend about 20-30 minutes in the sun each day before putting sunscreen on. Even my doctor agreed that you need the vitamin D (is it D?) in very small doses each day.

PS My friend who has tanned all her life now has AWFUL sunspots on her face and shoulders. She's only 32. Makes you think if it's worth it...
June 29, 2009 at 2:12 PM
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