I am so sorry to hear this and glad you are on track to getting it sorted. I am always on mole watch, I have so many, and have had two removed as precaution. Two of my cousins had melanoma twenty odd years ago, all totally fine, it never reoccured.
A family friend doctor, who works for Kaiser, couldn't even access my scans in the Kaiser system--took Kaiser over 8 weeks to give me a very small portion of my medical file, wherein I noticed a gazillion missing test and scan results, ultimately leading to a series of seemingly arbitrary and entirely unexplained paper checks in the mail, presumably refunds for all the shit I did that they somehow have no record for anymore, despite all the records I have of appointment reminders and follow ups and EOBs and bills. That system is whack, so much so that my own doctor refuses to have Kaiser insurance and instead survives off the non-Kaiser plan offered through her husband's work. Never thought I'd be reading a Kaiser success story, let alone this year! And it's unsurprising that the success was merely obtaining YOUR OWN RECORDS in order to receive care OUTSIDE of Kaiser. Inspiring!
What a week you've had, but as always you still left me chuckling. You've officially made it on to my list of amazing people I'd invite to a dinner party (not that I host dinner parties, but you know what I mean). Here's to 2026 - and whatever it brings it will somehow be made more bearable by reading your newsletters. Please keep doing you and sharing it with us lucky people.
I have been ignoring the internet for two weeks (lucky me) but now that I've popped back on: THANK YOU, TINA! Save me a seat at your table — it is my impossible dream to meet every singe one of my amazing readers. Lots more chuckles to come in 2026. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I had the exact same thing! It had to be biopsied to make sure it wasn't a quick moving, more aggressive cancer, and it wasn't. In fact, my doctor told me that if you have a melanoma, this is the kind you want. 😂 Super slow moving...probably the same kind you have. I am also in Los Angeles but not with Kaiser. I was referred to a specialist who does MOES (sp?) and then I think to a plastic surgeon after. That was 20 years ago and they haven't found any melanomas since. My melanoma was about 1 inch in diameter, so it wasn't tiny. Just so you know, following are two pictures of my scar, which is on the top of my forearm. It's not pretty but I just figured at least I don't have cancer, and everyone is imperfect anyway. Who is the melanoma surgeon? It might be the same doctor I had. I don't remember his name but if heard it I would. Good luck and you'll be just fine. The second photo shows where the extra skin around it was cut out, which is actually probably weirder than the scar itself. But it's all good and way worth it. I view it as scar of victory.
He's pretty young so I don't think he was in practice 20 years ago, but he's great and I'm feeling OK now. I don't mind having a scar. I was more freaked out about how invasive the other procedure at Kaiser would be and that I wouldn't get to meet the surgeon first. The photos I saw were so scary. But all will be well! <333
What awful bedside manner. Like doctors don't spend hours primping trying to look good...get fucked.
thank you for joining me in being enraged 💖
My way of saying "hope you feel better."
I am so sorry to hear this and glad you are on track to getting it sorted. I am always on mole watch, I have so many, and have had two removed as precaution. Two of my cousins had melanoma twenty odd years ago, all totally fine, it never reoccured.
What an end to the year! No fair!
It was truly insane but when is it not? HAPPY NEW YEAR! The mole watch continues!
A family friend doctor, who works for Kaiser, couldn't even access my scans in the Kaiser system--took Kaiser over 8 weeks to give me a very small portion of my medical file, wherein I noticed a gazillion missing test and scan results, ultimately leading to a series of seemingly arbitrary and entirely unexplained paper checks in the mail, presumably refunds for all the shit I did that they somehow have no record for anymore, despite all the records I have of appointment reminders and follow ups and EOBs and bills. That system is whack, so much so that my own doctor refuses to have Kaiser insurance and instead survives off the non-Kaiser plan offered through her husband's work. Never thought I'd be reading a Kaiser success story, let alone this year! And it's unsurprising that the success was merely obtaining YOUR OWN RECORDS in order to receive care OUTSIDE of Kaiser. Inspiring!
thank u, queen! happy new year — this one will be better. <333
It absolutely will be! How can it not?!
What a week you've had, but as always you still left me chuckling. You've officially made it on to my list of amazing people I'd invite to a dinner party (not that I host dinner parties, but you know what I mean). Here's to 2026 - and whatever it brings it will somehow be made more bearable by reading your newsletters. Please keep doing you and sharing it with us lucky people.
I have been ignoring the internet for two weeks (lucky me) but now that I've popped back on: THANK YOU, TINA! Save me a seat at your table — it is my impossible dream to meet every singe one of my amazing readers. Lots more chuckles to come in 2026. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I had the exact same thing! It had to be biopsied to make sure it wasn't a quick moving, more aggressive cancer, and it wasn't. In fact, my doctor told me that if you have a melanoma, this is the kind you want. 😂 Super slow moving...probably the same kind you have. I am also in Los Angeles but not with Kaiser. I was referred to a specialist who does MOES (sp?) and then I think to a plastic surgeon after. That was 20 years ago and they haven't found any melanomas since. My melanoma was about 1 inch in diameter, so it wasn't tiny. Just so you know, following are two pictures of my scar, which is on the top of my forearm. It's not pretty but I just figured at least I don't have cancer, and everyone is imperfect anyway. Who is the melanoma surgeon? It might be the same doctor I had. I don't remember his name but if heard it I would. Good luck and you'll be just fine. The second photo shows where the extra skin around it was cut out, which is actually probably weirder than the scar itself. But it's all good and way worth it. I view it as scar of victory.
Thank you for this! Yes - it sounds exactly the same as mine. They move slowly and also rarely spread down but they can and that's the danger.
The doctor I'm seeing does a special mohs surgery for melanoma. This is him: https://www.californiadermatology.com/provider/teo-soleymani-md-faad-facms
He's pretty young so I don't think he was in practice 20 years ago, but he's great and I'm feeling OK now. I don't mind having a scar. I was more freaked out about how invasive the other procedure at Kaiser would be and that I wouldn't get to meet the surgeon first. The photos I saw were so scary. But all will be well! <333
You know it's summer now in Australia… that fucking sun burning everything… you better stay wrapped up from head to toe, like a mummy…. Okay, Mommy?
Get well…
PS: why would they even call themselves Kaiser Permanente?!… doesn't it just sound like “Hitler Forever"…?
I will be very careful! And “Hitler Forever” is good they should just rebrand to that
I can't attach the photos, apparently, but if you want to see them, dm me with your email.