The Alzheimer's Project

For anyone who has not seen this 5-part documentary on HBO, I recommend that you take the time to watch.  I was more than just a little interested in the documentary.  I have had my own experience with this terrible disease. 

Two of the five parts was centered on the medical diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and the research being done to find a cure or at least medication to slow the disease.  The other three parts were families dealing with Alzheimer's in various stages of the disease. 

From a personal standpoint, the personal stories were very difficult to watch.  As a matter of fact, after I watched the first part, it was more than a week before I could even think of watching the rest.  But I'm glad I did. 

This documentary was excellent.  Whether you have had your own personal experience with the disease or you are just curious about it, this documentary is something you need to see. 

While I'll blog at a later time as to why this documentary meant so much to me, I just want to recommend it to everyone.

Should You Worry About "Suspicious"?

I had a mole on my left shoulder blade.  It had been there for years.  One day I noticed that it was raised up on my skin.  It wasn't smooth anymore. 

I didn't really think too much about it.  Eventually, it became a problem.  But only because my bra strap rubbed against it's edge.  And it hurt! 

I tried to get a good look at it in the mirror.  I couldn't see much.  Just a big black spot, almost the size of a quarter, with a red ring around it from the rubbing of my clothes.

I entertained thoughts of having it removed.  Then I dismissed those thoughts as just vanity.  Finally, I went to the doctor, slightly embarrassed to reveal my vanity to my family physician.

It didn't take long for my fear of vanity to go right out the window.  My doctor told me that my mole was "suspicious."  She told me that she didn't think it was cancerous, but the only way to be sure was to remove it. 

Then I got scared.  I remembered that my grandfather had had skin cancer removed from his face twice.  Suddenly, I couldn't get rid of that mole fast enough.

The doctor removed the mole about a week later.  Another week of waiting and I got a clean bill of health.  It wasn't cancer.  I was relieved.

The reason I write this is to urge everyone to pay attention to their bodies.  If something doesn't seem right, see a doctor.  Even though my mole turned out to be just a mole, yours might not be the same.  We know our bodies best and we should never let insecurities or vanity keep us from seeking the advice of medical professionals.