I wanted to tell you something about myself in hopes that if anyone else in the family has any similar experiences that they are proactive.

Back in the early 70's my father, Pete Shrider, was diagnosed with Melanoma. It is a form of skin cancer that can be deadly because it travels through your lymph system and can re-appear anywhere in your body. I have learned so much about this disease and know that we are very lucky to have him alive! He went through several surgeries, one which left a large indented scar on his back and chemotherapy.

Somehow, I always knew that being a sunworshiper in my teens and 20's would haunt me, I always felt that eventually I would also have a Melanoma. I was right!
Last spring I caught a fingernail on a mole on my back while dressing. It seemed so odd because I have always been aware of the many moles on my body and I had never noticed this one nor had I scratched this before. Suddenly I was constantly catching my nail there, almost like a speed bump! I decided I had better get it checked.

My HMO doctor that I saw initially was not impressed. It was small and probably nothing. He begrudgingly gave me the referral to the dermatologist. Next came a long wait for the dermatologist, an appointment made 2 months out, a need to re-schedule, another 2 month wait, another need to re-schedule... an argument with the appointment reservationist... then I had to drive 2 hours to see SOMEONE!!

The dermatologist was even less impressed with my mole, he talked to me like I was 6 years old, "It's not black, it's dark brown, but not black... and Melanomas are not round like this, they have irregular edges. I can remove it if you want (sigh)." And of course, I did indeed ask him to humor me and remove it...

When he called back three days later to tell me that I had cancer, he was singing a slightly different tune. He praised me for being insistent and making them listen to me. He told me he would schedule surgery for me immediately and told me how lucky we were to catch it so early!

I am now to the moral of my story as I sit here being pronounced "cured" and being annoyed by a second mole removal's healing slowly (off my buttocks!) but being pronounced benign.... Be the Gatekeeper of Your Own Health! Somehow it gives me the creeps to think that all my life I have accepted Physician's guidance as if divine and never questioned anything I was told. I don't EVER remember being non-obedient with a doctor before, and it may have saved my life! If you feel your doctor is not taking you seriously, be insistent. If they still do not respond to your satisfaction, get another doctor! Use strong words that are to the point: Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety. United Airlines taught me to use those same words in communicating with the cockpit regarding a situation in the cabin, etc. and they really do produce results when you use them. We call them CUS words, and believe me, when you CUS at someone they know you mean business.

I hope none of you have any contribution to make to this story, but I know that a disease like this can tend to run in families. It's the sun that's the culprit but relatives can be pre-dispositioned toward getting it. I'm not here to lecture you on sun safety, I still get annoyed looking at white thighs.... you know whether you are being Sun-Safe or not! And you will have only yourself to thank if there are ramifications. Taking charge of your healthcare is what I am saying... when you leave that doctor's office he will not be with you.

Peggy (Shrider) Ross