May is Melanoma Awareness Month – My Story, Part 2

During May I will tell my melanoma story. I mentioned it here first.

The dermatologist’s office was in downtown Cologne, the doctor turned out to be a young, thorough woman. She wasn’t sure what to make of the birthmark. So she prescribed an ointment and advised me to go to the University Hospital to get a second opinion. “Just to be on the safe side. Because of your age it’s very unlikely this is melanoma.”

The skin clinic of the University Hospital had an open consultation once a week. With long waiting times. They agreed with the opinion of the dermatologist: “It’s unlikely it’s melanoma. But we suggest doing a biopsy to be sure.” I was given a date for the surgery, the birthmark was photographed, and I went my way.

The biopsy went without a hitch, I drove to work right after the procedure. There was a lot of work to do, I would be on holiday after the next week.

In the week before our vacation, I got a letter. I should come to the University Hospital once more, to discuss the results of the biopsy.

I was feeling very strange during these weeks. On one hand, there was this strong feeling I was doing the right thing having the birthmark examined. On the other hand, there was a wall between me and my feelings. I was not in a state of constant fear to be really ill. I just went on with my life, without permantly worrying. The proverbial calm before the storm.

So I went to the skin clinic once more. The doctor – I remember this very vividly until today – just asked me:

“What do you know about melanoma?”

Crash! The wall came down.

~ To be continued ~