The End of an Era...
Most of you who've known Adam for a time may have noticed the birthmark above his left eyebrow. It is blackish-blue in color, and often mistaken for a grease smear by strangers. People often try to help him out by bringing his attention to this "smear", and he has to inform them that it's not really a smear - he was born with it. The people generally feel bad and beg for unreasonable forgiveness.
This particular birthmark is a Hemangioma. It's a raised birthmark created by a group of blood vessels that did not develop properly. It continues to grow throughout one's life, and can occur either on top of the skin, or deeper inside the body. Adam's was under the skin, which made it appear to also be a large goose-egg on his head. Some little old women often commented that he looked like he'd been "bonked" on the head.
Adam claims his birthmark never bothered him growin up, but started to annoy him a year or 2 ago. It's also located just beneath where his FF helmet fits, so it became uncomfortable. He had surgery on it about 9 years ago while we were dating. The doctor removed a calcified lump, and cauterized the vessels, thinking this would solve the swelling. Within a few years' time, it grew back again. So...he decided to have it removed once and for all!
Adam went into surgery at 9:00am, Tuesday, December 9 (Cameron's B-day) and emerged a few hours later, groggy, and in a great deal of pain. The doctor informed us that she had not only removed the skin with the dark mark on it, but also a "bag" of blood from under the skin. Yum! I fed him pudding like a baby so he could take a pain pill, and then helped him dress like a 3 year old. It was all somewhat entertaining...for me!
He has been healing fine, and just had his 2nd checkup appointment today to have the stitches removed. His scar is becoming a little less "Bride-of-Chucky"-ish, and looks like in the end, the scar may not be half bad. He keeps it covered with an enormous bandaid most of the time so as not to scare our fellow citizens.
Adam's been off work since a few days before his surgery, and will probably stay home until early next week. He was finally cleared today to start lifting things (which means he can go to the gym as well). The break has been really good for him, and the boys are loving seeing him in the morning, afternoon, and evening!
While an era has ended, we shall never forget...."Adam's Birthmark."
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