And it's gone....

A month ago, I took Paige to the doctor about her ankles. Poor girl, they bother her a lot and I knew we were going to have to address them so she could find relief. Makenna went with me the day that I took her just to tag along. After it was decided that Paige would do another round of physical therapy before deciding if ortho should get involved, I asked the Doctor to take a look at Makenna.

If you've paid attention to my pictures, you might have noticed the mole on Makenna's neck. I've always considered this a beauty mark of sorts. It was something that has made her unique. Lately, I noticed that it was looking different. A little larger. Rougher kind of surface to it. The doctor studied it a minute and agreed with me..it didn't look right to her either. A referral was put in for her to see a dermatologist so it could be taken care of.

You gotta love waiting on a referral. This time, it seemed to take a little while longer than usual for that letter to arrive in the mail. Finally, we received a response. Apparently, there's a new rule in town. The girls have their bio-dad's insurance plus The Man's. This has helped us out tremendously when it comes to their medical bills since we moved to Georgia. We appreciate any and all help with medical bills because the bio-dad refuses to help pay his part. That's no secret. I'm pretty sure if you ask him, he'll say he doesn't *need* to. That's not what the courts said in our divorce decree, but I have vowed not to besmirch his character in front of my children. So, I suck it up and keep going.

Where was I?

Oh, yeah. Two insurances now means the girls don't have to have referrals. How about that? As long as the physician accepts both insurances, we're gold.

I got Paige squared away with her physical therapy as we were using the same place she had been before. Then I had to find a dermatologist. Oh joy. I started with the phone book and was right successful my first call. I wanted someone who specialized in mole removal and pediatrics. I found the guy. We had to travel a little way to Brunswick, but I was okay with that. I'd much prefer to go to Brunswick than Jacksonville any day of the week. JAX is just crazy and HUGE.

The Man took the day off to accompany us (because that's how he rolls). We set out Thursday morning early so we could eat breakfast with Makenna. Her birthday was Friday and I just wanted to spend time with her. She had her parents full attention and she was perfectly okay with that. She picked the place where we ate and settled in to enjoy some pancake goodness.

The drive took a little while, but I always enjoy it. The scenery is great and once you get off the interstate, it's really cool.

We arrived at the office with time to spare, thanks to The Man who, I swear, has a built in GPS system in his brain. He never gets lost and can find his way anywhere with the barest of directions. (Another reason he got to accompany us!) The office was quiet with soft music filtering through.

Here I was, biddy-bopping my way through the pages of paperwork, when something caught my eye. (picture at bottom)

We all three went back with Makenna when the time came. The nurse was great and friendly and we talked about a love for sunscreen. She gave me a compliment when I made the comment not to look at my skin as I didn't quit tanning until around age 30. (I know-shame on me!) She said my skin looked great and there didn't appear to be a lot of sun damage. Whew! Makenna informed her that as long as she lives with me, she won't be allowed to have a tan. Score one for Mama in the nurse's eyes! (I surely saw her make that notation in the chart, too-heh heh)

The doctor walked in with his assistant P.A. He took a quick glance at the mole on her neck and pronounced it fine. Uh, okay? We were then informed that if it concerned us, he could surely remove it.

I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms and squinted at him. Then, I said something to the effect, "Well, she has two insurances and your office accepts both of them. If this procedure is worded right? We could have ourselves a party."

He pursed his lips briefly and nodded before replying, "We try very hard not to use the word "cosmetic"." He looked hard at me then-there was some serious brain activity going on between us- and said, " Are you CONCERNED this *might* be cancer? Would you like to have it removed and tested for such?"

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Gotcha.

The Man and I agreed that we were, indeed, concerned with this mole.

Next thing we knew? He had my baby girl laid back in the chair and needle going for her throat? What? Who? Wait a minute!!!

I sputtered something about me and The Man being in there. He assured us it wouldn't take but a minute. He was simply going to shave it off. WHAT??? Are you freaking kidding me?

I got hot. Seriously. My body temperature went up ten degrees. I wasn't mad. It was just so unexpected and fast! I thought he would tell us to come back and he would then remove it. But, right then and there!?! Holy cow!

Through all of this, my girl didn't even flinch. She was steady as a rock. The only reaction out of her was a simple, "Ow." I kid you not.

I couldn't watch them shave it off. *Hold on. Weak stomach here.*

Then they cauterized the edges!!!

Help me, Lord!!!!

*It was about this time I realized I really needed something to fan myself with because I extremely hot feeling.*

Have you smelled burning flesh lately?

The Man stayed safely in his corner and didn't say a word. (I am now giving him a dirty look as I type this because..well BECAUSE)

I was trying to look at Makenna, but my eyes were drawn to her neck where all the action was.

She was still a rock. That's my girl.

Next thing I knew, we were outside in fresh sea air. Whew. I'll be expecting a call within ten days on the results of the test.

You know we went straight and got that girl a Webkinz. If I had a hundred dollar bill, I might have given it to her. She was seriously smooth (and the doctor and staff praised her profusely about it). She EARNED that Webkinz, Internets.

I know the past few posts have been about Makenna, but you have to admit the girl has been a little busy lately. Besides, she deserves the spotlight, too!

This is the bridge we went over to get there. It's not intimidating until you get right to it. Paige has small panic attacks when she realizes we're going to drive over it. The Man loves to get to the top of it and then coast down the other side. Going up it, we only get 9 miles per gallon. Coasting down the other side, the Hoe can get up to around 90 miles per gallon. For some reason, that thrills my husband to no end.

Okay, Class. I'm hoping you can read this. Can you see the statement that made me pause? I answered it and went to the next set and had to pause a second and go back. I started laughing right there in the waiting room as I showed it to the man. I asked him, "Are they for real???" He didn't even blink when I whipped out my cell phone to take a picture to share with you. *Coming back to help those who can't make out the question. It says: "Are you pregnant (women)?" Excuse me? Is there something going on with the male population that I haven't heard???*

This is right before everyone walked in. I wish I had gotten a better view of the mole but I didn't know it wasn't going to be there when we walked out!

This was on the ride home. Note the teeny band aid on her neck. She wasn't mad when I took the picture. She was just ....smooth.

Don't you want to come live at The Edge? There's never a dull moment around here!