Updates.

Thanks Ali for sharing. I had moles removed from my back last summer as well. Mine came back precancerous so I had to go back as well. I now need more removed-I agree with you, I'd rather have scars! It's good to be reminded of the simple things we can do to take care of ourselves. Best Wishes and Happy New Year!

We can't see our own backsides ... sometimes that's a posative (ha) but I hadn't thought of the skin-care aspect. I hope this is simply a routine maintenance matter for you and nothing more. Also, noticed the sole image on your board is the twirly skirt. Way to keep that goal front and center. I'm getting myself an inspiration board ... pronto. Be well, happy new year. - Molly

I have a large mole on my upper chest that has been there since birth (I've always called it my birthmark). It grew with both of my pregnancies. I had it looked at, but the doctor didn't see any problem with it.
Maybe I should see a dermatologist???? I also have about 5 on my back that could be checked out. Thanks for sharing this information! I will continue to pray for you, Ali . . .

it will all be good. I just know it!

Thinking of you Ali - it's so great to see that you are really assertive when it comes to these kinds of things. So many times we are on top of it for our kids and forget that we should be taking care of our bodies too. Loving the new book, I finished it and now want to go back and read the other two over again:) Thanks for the continual inspiration:)
Stacy (Alberta, Canada)

good to know that you are on top of things...not putting things off...will be praying for you and your family, hopefully, you all recovered from being sick (over the holidays)...
you take care...greetings to you and your family, from the philippines... :)

good reminder, ali! a family friend put off getting her moles checked, and ended up dying of melanoma. it was very sad, especially since it's so easy to have a doctor check out moles. i, too, have a back full of scars - better that than the alternative!

Ali...thanks for the mole reminder. It's so important ! I'm a very "moley" person and so I go every year for my check. So far so good, but I'm with you as far as having them removed !!
On another note, my word for 2008 is "SEE"...as in the little things that I usually miss. It hopefully will also make me go a little slower in life....stopping to really SEE what's around me.

I have experience with mole removal as well. Hang in there! We are all sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Thank you so much for sharing this. It helps those of us going through similar wake up calls to pay attention to our bodies. Us moms take care of everyone else but tend to let ourselves go..... no more. FAITH is my word for 2008. Happy new year everyone!

I made a layout using my word,you can see it here.
http://jillybeans-jillian.blogspot.com/

Ali...my husband had melanoma 4 years ago, 6 months after my daughter was born. It was such a scare for us and one Dr. would not do surgery to remove the cancerous portion because he said his ear would look "deformed"...somehow he thought a deformed ear was worse than the alternative...we found a new Dr. at University of Washington and he has been cancer free since that date! I am sure praying for you and your family.

Hoping everything goes well and keeping you in my prayers...

Good luck Ali, will be thinking of you. My mother had a melanoma years ago -- it was tough, but treatable. Keep watching and you will be on top of it if it does come.

Good luck Ali, will be thinking of you. My mother had a melanoma years ago -- it was tough, but treatable. Keep watching and you will be on top of it if it does come.

Ali
Glad you are taking care of the moles, sometimes we tend to let those things go - when we shouldn't. I agree with the living for today, as hard as that is to do sometimes!! But truly in the big picture, all the worrying that we tend to do about the future, we have no control over anyways, even though we would like to think that we do.
I always find this time of the year hard in some ways, it is tough to take down all the fun Christmas stuff that is so much fun to put up.
We need to look more at each day for the joy we receive in this very moment and enjoy the gifts and blessings we have been given.
Wishing you and your family all the very best in 2008 and lots of love and laughter!!
Nicky Anderson

Hope you are healthy, Ali!
I've got pink eye today, after the stomach flu over Xmas, and Step between T-day and Xmas.
Here's to our health!

Reading blogs has an interesting side to it. You have no idea who I am (reading your blog almost every day from Sweden), but since you share so much of your life, it feels a little like I know you. Strange, really. So when I read about what you are going through with your moles, I feel the same compassion I would if you were a friend of mine. I truly hope they can examine all your moles and have them properly removed. Like you said - a back with scars is NOTHING.
Being a fair skinned red head with plenty of moles (especially on my back), I need to start going on regular check ups myself.
Here in Sweden we have a day called 'Malignt Melanoma day', when they have expert teams visiting every big hospital, in order to help in finding abnormalities at an early stage. Is there something similar in the States?
Thinking of you.
Sincerely,
/Malin

Sending prayers your way. I would remove anything that had potential too.
I changed my word. I thought it was reflect. But once I looked up it's meaning, I realized what I really want to spend the year doing is introspection. Introspect does not sound right. So I am going to spend more time in introspection this year, deciding how things affect my life and how what I do affects my life. This is what I need to do.

Thanks for the reminder Ali - its an important message to get out to people! Finding these early is so important. I had a skin check in Sept and was so nervous going into the appt. Had one mole removed and it came back fine. I am so relieved to have gone through the process and will be making this an annual preventitive step.
Jennifer