Birthmark

I'm putting this here so I can easily reference it the next few months. This is Joel's birthmark he was born with. Takes up his whole side. We've been getting it mapped by a dermotologist the last few years to make sure it doesn't turn cancerous. And taking pictures in between doctor visits to compare the change.  Because apparently this kind of birthmark can turn cancerous. And since his is really changing we are starting to go every few months. The top was in December and bottom in July. (Also Mary thought the strings in the top was hair but it's not hair  - it's from his stitches when they did the biopsy) his birthmark is shrinking in the dark area and the white is growing. Basically his body is attacking his birthmark and "eating it." thankfully his biopsy came back negative back in December but it's something he might always have to be checking - we aren't sure what will happen after the dark part is all gone or if it will be all "eaten" and I have certain things to look for between appointments and told to immediately come in if we see them.

My grandpa always said his skin doctor cut him whenever he went in to see him and I wish how-how was still here to sympathize with Joel because Joel says the same thing. 

 So it's always in the back of my mind and we have to be very careful to sunscreen that part of his body.  But also sometimes I wonder why I worry so much because his body is attacking what it thinks is a foreign object (it's also attacking his skinned knees from being an active boy and that is also bright white skin now) If his body is doing such a good job attacking what shouldn't be there then why am I worried about cancer with him?  There are plenty of other things to worry about with Joel! Ha! 

 I'm also so impressed with his doctor - she took a huge chunk out of his birthmark for the biopsy and you can't even see a scar or where his stitches were. Wish we had gone to her when Colin split his chin open when he was 3  - sorry Colin for the huge scar on your chin. Your mother knows better now!