THE BENEFITS OF GOING TO NURSING SCHOOL!!! X-POST

Early in the semester we learned about skin cancers. One night when I was looking at pictures of the different types, Janet said to me, "Look at this thing I have on the top of my head. Does it look like any of those picutes in your book?" I asked her how long she'd had it and she answered, "About 3 or 4 years." "3 or 4 YEARS!" I replied, in shock. So, I took a look at this "thing" on the top of her head and, sure enough, it looked EXACTLY like the pictures of basal cell carcinoma. I told her to make an appointment with her dermatologist. She went last Monday. The dermatologist did a shave biopsy and said "No news is good news. If you don't hear from us in a week, it was benign." Well, we ran errands all morning and when we got home Janet checked phone messages. She hung up the phone and said "Dr. Ramsdell's nurse wants me to call her." **** I was right ~ CRAP!!! ~ it is basal cell carcinoma. She has to go back next week and they will do a wide margin excision and cauterize it. The good news is, basal cell carcinoma is very slow-growing and does not typically metastasize, but all prayers are welcome, anyway. Sharyn nurse2b

Wow! You've made your tuition count already! What a feeling to be able to help your partner like that! I'm sure that given it's basal cell, it's nothing (too much, that is) to worry about, now that it's in the dermatologist's ballpark. Best wishes to both of you! /Steve

Thanks. I definitely feel that my tuition has been put to good use. And, it you have to get cancer, this is the one you want, for sure. Sharyn nurse2b

All prayers and good vibes going your way. You and Janet are in my thoughts today. Like you said, if it has to be something, at least it's basal cell. Still sucks though. Rachelle

Thanks, Rachelle. And it does suck. Janet hates hats (says she looks like a dork), but has already gone out to buy a cap and she's wearing it faithfully outdoors. Sharyn nurse2b

Hey, I had to start wearing a cap at age 25 (guess why!!!) Plus, I have an enormous head, meaning that most one-size-fits-all caps don't fit worth a damn. I wonder if WLS has helped this? Plus, I had a melanoma removed back in 1995, so I'm the poster boy for sunscreen products these days (move over Jody Foster!!!) /Steve (cap dork)

Good work! I can't believe people ignore things like that for years at a time...

Carolyn, believe me, she has already gotten a lecture from me on this. Especially since she had an acitinic keratosis removed from her temple about 3 years ago. She hates going to the doctor and I have repeatedly told her that is no excuse. Maybe this'll scare her enough to get over this little fear. Sharyn nurse2b

Sharyn...I have been a nurse for 14 years. Becoming a nurse has by far the best thing I have every done. I love nursing !!! I have done many different types of nursing. I am currently a child psychiatric nurse. It has been a wonderful ! It has been hard to give up every other weekend for the last 14 years and the schedule can be brutal at times. I love it so much that it does not really matter. Good Luck with your schooling !!! Sean

I love nursing school. This is something that I have wanted to do since the birth of my daughter 9 years ago. We had a great OB/GYN, but the nurses did everything and they ROCKED. Janet had preeclampsia and delivered 6 weeks early and spent about 4 days in the hospital before delivering. So, I got to see the nurses in action up close and personal. When we finally got to come home, I told Janet, "That's what I want to be when I grow up." But, I had a good-paying job and couldn't really afford to make the change at that time. Fast forward 5 years ~ Business was bad for the company I was working for and the lay-off rumors were running rampant. I knew my head was on the chopping block 'cuz I had been there a long time and was topped out on salary. We sold our house and bought some property out in the country where we could live cheaper and decided that if I got a pink slip that I would go to nursing school instead of getting another job. Well, after I got the call at work and had my exit interview, I called Janet and said "Guess what? I'm going to nursing school!!!" I was sad about losing my job for about 5 minutes. LOL. This has definitely been the best thing I have done for myself. On clinical days, when I get to my floor, my heart skips a little beat and I think to myself "I can't believe they're letting me do this!" Sharyn nurse2b