Spitz Nevus Excision

Last March 5 is the natal day of one of my good friend Levie Salazar. I’m about to attend his birthday blast celebration by evening at his house when John and Gian fetch me to join and went straight to the party. While riding the jeepney, Gian made continues remarks on the pimple like thing on my face near the eyes. To be exact it’s at the zygomatic zone (I’ve heard it from the doctors :D). Though I know he’s just joking, I’m a little bit annoyed by him since he’s constantly teasing and making fun of it saying: “Nay, Aida na yan!.” Point of Information, “Aida” is the jargon language used by gays which means AIDS. Of course, I condemn what he’s saying to me because it’s another kind of story far different from what I have.

Then at the party, the “accessory thing” on my face becomes the topic AGAIN. This time, I feel the sincere love and extension of their desire for me to look for a doctor and check what it is. Finally after the long contemplation I’ve made, I am now determined to consult doctor’s specifically Dermatologist.

Just a quick historical background to the “accessory thing” on my face, I first notice it last year, 2013, somewhere in November but it doesn’t bother me after all because I thought that it is just a normal pimple that sprout out the epidermal layer of my skin. Days and months passed by but it’s getting bigger instead of becoming smaller since I am having self medication using Calmoceptin (try it, in just one day your pimple will be erase:))

Going back, last March 31 after my pre advising from the college, I called up another friend of mine, Rowel, who prepares to be called as Margaux, to accompany me to Ospital ng Maynila for consultation at the Dermatology Department. When I made a glimpse to the doctor’s room, I admit and declare it that yes, I am at the dermatology section of the hospital since all of the doctors have good and fair skin :D. After about an hour of waiting to be called by the doctor, because there is a line, intern medicine students from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila made the first stage of my check up by checking my chief complaint and a short historical background to my concern. I was just waiting for the resident doctor to call my attention and have the report of the intern medicine student to the doctor. Well, as for me, the intern did a good presentation to the doctor. By the way, it’s Dra. Kathleen Uy, first resident doctor, who handled my cased first.

I waited again for a couple of minute to have the second opinion of another doctor. This time I was given to Dr. Domingo, third resident doctor. Well, the two doctors cannot give me an affirmation to what is in my face so for the third time I was forwarded again to the chief resident doctor of the dermatology section. By this time, I must commend her (I forgot her name) because she deserved the post as CHIEF RESIDENT doctor as the answer to my query has been supported. I am speaking from my experience with them but I do not know what is really happening inside the room since I am always out; but of course I give good credit to all doctors who handled me because at the end of the consultation, my apprehension were all well answered and a great relief as Dra. Uy enlighten me of what is really on my face.

Well, my dear readers, it’s a SPITZ NEVUS. Nevus on a lay man’s term is a mole. According to my readings from aad.org, Spitz Nevus is often pink, raised, and dome-shaped. It also can have different colors in it such as red, black, and brown. Most Spitz nevi appear on the skin during the first 20 years of life. Spitz nevi also develop in adults. My nevus was kind a reddish one.

As far as I can remember, Dra. Uy said that it’s normal and nothing to worry about since nevus may develop to us even we are aged. More than anything else, what really gives me a great relief is when Dr. Domingo said that it’s benign and not cancerous. They asked me if I wanted my nevus to be excise and yes I am decided to have it excise. I was referred to another department which is the Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) department for the reason that they are not performing excisions which are near the eyes.

And so I went to the OPD to look for the ENT to schedule my intention for excision but unfortunately the department is unavailable already since it was around 4 o’clock by that time so I had to come back by tomorrow. I don’t know the hell why I did not come back to schedule my excision the next day at the ENT. Maybe a good alibi for not coming is having the affirmation from the doctor that it is benign and normal thing for every human person like me :D. Until days passed by and regret the thing about my nevus for another reason of excuse that I have to attend a summer class.

Finally, my summer class has ended and by this time I am undaunted and indefatigable to have the excision process for my nevus. Last May 21, I went to have my check up and schedule again at the hospital with Jayd (famously known as Khali P. & dubbed as Best Stylist of the Year 2013). To my surprise, the tittle-tattle about the payment system at the Ospital ng Maynila which is a PUBLIC hospital is undoubtedly TRUE! Whether I like it or not, I have no choice but to comply with the NEW POLICY. Just in when I was at the window of the cashier, I asked to myself, how about the other Manileno who cannot pay the due payment for the purpose of getting access to health benefits which should be enjoyed accordingly? Okey, it’s just one hundred pesos (P100) for the consultation fee but how about those who REALLY CANNOT comply? Well, this is another story to tell. (I hope I can write about it #hopia)

Going back, the same story goes on at the ENT clinic since an intern medicine student from PLM gives my initial check up. Since I am at the ENT clinic, my ears, nose and throat should be examine also though my concern to them is the excision only of my nevus. Upon the check up session, the intern medicine student, whom I love so much for her concern to me, ascertain that my throat is suffering from SO MUCH swelling; which in reality is very true. According to her and the doctors, it’s in grade four already and should immediately seek medical assistance by major surgical removal. At that point, I am just WOW! As in dumbstruck and tongue-tied when all the doctors urge me to have the operation. At that point they wanted an immediate answer from me but I just smiled and will give them a feedback when I come back.

Yesterday, May 23, is the scheduled excision of my nevus and going to the answer with regards my throat; I am looking forward for the surgical removal on sem break. My fingers are cross as early as now because I’m really nervous about it but I need to have it before worse comes to worst.

The nurse Sir June (I guess) assist me at the Minor OR room but first give me prescription on the things to be used for the operation. Well, such a relief I feel when he advise me to buy all the stuffs at the cooperative of the hospital and not to go away anymore. To my dismay, one thing is not available at the coop which is the lidocaine with epinephrine. So I decided to go straight at Mercury Drug Store at Harrison Plaza but it is not available also. They have available lidocaine and epinephrine but only plain. I don’t want to go back the hospital without ALL the things prescribed to me so I go straight to another branch of Mercury Drug Store at Padre Faura but the same answer I received from the pharmacist. My intention is very high so I went to Robinson Mall to check the Mercury Drug Store but its only 9:30 in the morning so the mall is still close. This time I have no choice but to go the hospital bringing only with me the available things I bought at the coop. Yes! The same story like mine was narrated by those who will have the operation yesterday. No choice but the doctors who will perform the operation will provide the lidocaine with epinephrine.

The nurse then gives me my operation gown and tells me to remove my shoes in exchange for slippers at the rack. At that moment, my heart beat is getting faster and I am experiencing a numb hand. Undoubtedly and incontrovertibly I am on a state of NERVOUSNESS! What more to do than panicking is of course I prayed and asked for God’s guidance to me and to the doctors who will perform the operation.

Everything is set including me because I was lying at the operation bed for around five minutes before the operation proper. While waiting, one of the doctors approached me and briefs me about what could be the possible effect after the excision. Guess what, there is a 1% chance for those who are performing excision near the eyes to paralyze. And with that words from the doctor I just said: “hala Dok!.” Well the good part of the story, in their career in performing excision near the eyes, they haven’t encountered such dilemmas yet which he take notes that those cases were according to the medical books. Such a relief!

Its excision time now with Dra. Janina Karla Advincula and Dra. Karen Ito. I must commend them both for executing well the operation since I don’t feel any pain and disgust all throughout the operation period. For about less than fifteen minutes or so, the operation is over and unquestionably a SUCCESS on their part and on my part also.

The nevus excise in my face will be subjected to biopsy and I will come back again to the hospital after a week for the follow up with regards to the development on the healing process of the wound. As I leave the premise of the hospital I want to shout for joy and affirmation that at last I am free from the “accessory thing” in my face. My wariness and incertitude after the successful excision is the scar it will leave on my face ... how about that Doc, do we have a remedy? Laugh. HAHA :D

On red circle: spitz nevus

Last photo taken before the excision of Spitz Nevus ... SMILE :D