I am not the kind who runs to the doctor every time I have an ache or pain. I'd be lucky if I went twice a year and some years I haven't been at all.
I also keep away from Dr Google. I've seen the results of that from Mr Neat, who self-diagnoses himself all the time.
Instead, I decided there was nothing I could do about it right then and would reassess in the morning.
However, I couldn't keep my eyes from straying to it, nor my fingers from touching it.
At 3am on Monday I was wide wake and thoughts of "what if" were coursing through my mind at 100 miles an hour.
I thought about the millions of people who had been diagnosed with cancer - how did they feel when they were told they had it? How did they cope with their feelings and the dread of what lay ahead?
It hit home how life can change in an instant.
Next morning I showed Mr Neat. "Better get it checked," he said.
So I rang the doctor's and, bless them, they gave me an appointment that morning.
Off I went and fidgeted about in the waiting room, pretending to read a magazine, until my name was called.
I was anxious. Finally I was in. I showed him my hand. He looked at it, frowned, and said "So this just came up with no warning?"
"None, whatsoever," I replied. ("Oh no, this is bad," I thought.)
He rubbed his thumb over it, then took a large magnifying glass to study it. I held my breath and waited for the dreaded verdict.
"It looks like a blood blister. Nothing to worry about."
A what?
"Yes, maybe a little blood vessel burst under your skin."
Oh, my goodness. I felt silly. You can imagine what Mr Neat said. He phoned me at work that afternoon to see "how your blood blister is".
But, as I say, it did remind me life can change in an instant. I count myself lucky, but know thousands are out there battling disease, some with no support.
There are small ways we can all help and one is to give up a couple of hours to assist with the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal on October 13 and 14.
Volunteers are still needed. I did it last year and have signed up again. It's fun. You can sign up at pinkribbonvolunteer.co.nz or call 0508 105 105.
• Okay, ladies, Saturday is fast approaching and if you haven't already voted, please do.
Yesterday marked 124 years since women won the right to vote. Imagine what it would be like on Saturday if you weren't allowed to.
New Zealand led the way in women's suffrage thanks to the likes of Kate Sheppard, so I'll leave you with a timely quote.
"Do not think that your single vote does not matter much. The rain that refreshed the parched ground is made up of single drops." - Kate Sheppard, women's suffrage pioneer
• Linda Hall is Hawke's Bay Today's Assistant Editor
