Health or not so much…
Late last fall a spot appeared on my left ear lobe. Looked like a liver spot or and aging spot (depending on your orientation to life’s transitions). Having checked with my family doctor it was then determined or be of minor consequence; but, watch to see if it grows!

After Christmas, following the return from the American Grandsons’ Visit, The Saint (ST) noticed that the spot was larger. A visit to my doctor confirmed that it had grown, although not by much. However, it was harder to the touch. The next step was to meet with a young, new (to the Valley) dermatologist. He was obviously well-trained and skillful. Furthermore, he deemed it useful to do a scraping of the spot and have it sent for analysis. All is good I thought and I went off on a second USA trip – this time to a couple of conferences (one: theological; two: my professional association’s annual get-together of the Association of Practical & Professional Ethics).

During that trip, I received a t/c from the dermatologist. He wanted me to hear the news from him before it was posted on my BC Health Portal. The spot was indeed an issue: a malignant melanoma on the ear lobe. I was to come in to see him as soon as I returned, which I did. He explained the issues and recommended that I meet with a surgeon that he highly recommended at KGH (Kelowna General Hospital).

I have long since given up arguing with medical experts. If they see something wrong that I ought to correct: well then, it behooves me to act quickly on their recommended next step(s). Thus it was about a week ago I was in for surgery at the aforementioned KGH. [A sidebar here: whatever slowness exists in the Canadian health system, doesn’t apply universally –> from the time of initial suspicion until in to see the surgeon wasn’t much more than four [4] weeks.] In any case, I met with the surgeon who seemed quite young, but being from Saskatchewan I figured he had to know what he was doing as I was well aware of the College of Medicine at the UofS and the quality of its program [I taught occasionally in the College of Education & School of Business between 1979 & 1986]. He gave me various options including how much of my ear I wanted to save. Without hesitation I said: dig it all out! I don’t look at my ear anyway; and I was not about to clamour to protect at all costs whatever declining looks I might possess. The procedure was not long; I was stitched up and ready to leave within one hour of my arrival at the hospital check-in.

He basically removed my left earlobe (in part to send it for further analysis). He believes he has got it all; but, is sending some more tissue to the labs to determine if there is any spreading. I am to have my post-op session with him a week today at which time I will be informed the current status and what activities I can again participate in. After getting off the operating table, and receiving my complimentary two awards (old style popsicles) I checked out the mirror in the room and determined that it isn’t all that bad (you can judge for yourself, but one side effect: it has reversed the evolving trend whereby my ears are getting larger as I age — a trait many men experience, I am told). In any event, as I mentioned earlier, most of the time I don’t see it, anyway!!

So why do I have this issue in the first place? Basically the result of sun-burning I have this one spot they are now going to monitor. It is malignant but appears very isolated and thus should be very controllable. When I return to the specialist next week, I’m sure he will have several options to pursue. The key will be to focus on the quickest and most impactful that will allow him to rapidly return me to my normal work-speed!!

I am not worried or even concerned. Until I have my post-op de-briefing I really have no significant knowledge and the professionals involved are very bright, very good, very open. Once they have figured out the impact of the operation, they will also know what they want to recommend for me. As for me, all indicators tell me we are with on a dynamic, healing path…

So far the medical community has acted swiftly and with professional focus. Other than I cannot wear either a ski helmet or a bike helmet, I can maintain most of my physical fitness routines. Hopefully once the stitches are out, I can wear a helmet and biking will continue. Ski season is all but over anyway due to conditions at Apex (the hill is closing early — this weekend in fact). So all is good and you don’t need to worry!

In reflection,
g.w.