May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma awareness month. This is a topic that is particularly important to me and to my family. After multiple surgeries, procedures, and thirty-two biopsies later brought me to the realization that I should share my story and hopefully help others, either dealing with skin cancer and or preventing it.
In 2016, I had atypical shingles and was sent to see Dermatology. The PA that was assessing my arms and back, walked past my legs and with a simple glance said that needs to be biopsied. I had a small less than pencil eraser size dry spot on my leg. That was the start of my fight against skin cancer. In 2018, I was diagnosed with Melanoma, Stage II on my left lateral leg, and have since had two more Basal Cell Cancers. Every three months I go for my skin checks and every three months I end up needing more biopsies. My anxiety level still gets high when that three-month mark hits. I try to use humor as a coping mechanism, calling this my quarterly cutting session.
When I was initially diagnosed with Melanoma by a local Dermatologist, I was sent to Rush, in Chicago to see a surgical oncologist. There was some confusion over this being a spitz nevi or a Melanoma. I had an in-office procedure done collecting more tissue and all my slides were evaluated at Rush, and later sent to Northwestern and John Hopkins to verify the diagnosis of Melanoma Stage II. My surgical oncologist at Rush did a wide excision on my left leg in August of 2018. At that point, I knew I wanted to get involved to help others with their fight against skin cancer.
There was a bike ride in Vienna Virginia, by an organization called, “Pedal It Out” at the end of September 2018, I thought I would be strong enough to do the ride with my Husband, but I wasn’t. By September 2019 and another diagnosis (Basal Cell) and surgery on my right leg, I was strong enough to do the ride. In April 2021, they found a Basal Cell on my scalp and that was my last surgery.
I have an amazing team of providers from Rush, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago. I also have a supportive Husband, and family that have helped me get through this and continue to help me get through the three-month, anxiety filled cutting sessions. My siblings are probably tired of the text messages every three months, and waiting on biopsy results with me, but I don’t know what I would do without them.
Pay close attention to your skin, it is the largest organ of your body. I highly recommend yearly skin exams and Prevention, Prevention Prevention!!! I’m available to talk, if anyone needs help navigating the health care system or just needing to talk through their situation. Please review the information from the Melanoma Research Foundation and The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Comments