Kevin and I had heard of skin cancer, but we didn't know anything about it. As I said in my initial post, over 50% of adults think that skin cancer is "no big deal" and we fell into that group.
HOW COULD WE BE SO NAIVE?!!! WHY didn't we know about the seriousness of Melanoma skin cancer? WHY, WHY, WHY? Had we turned a deaf ear to it OR is it not common knowledge?
Melanoma skin cancer is life threatening IF it is not caught early; EARLY DETECTION is critical, thus my desire to create an awareness regarding this deadly disease!
Over the last year I had noticed an ugly "freckle" on my inner right calf, but I didn't know to be alarmed by it. I was more concerned about the sun damage on my chest, so I had considered going to a dermatologist for cosmetic reasons; I had even scheduled 2 appointments that I canceled because it wasn't a priority to me.
Skin cancer had crossed my mind, but again, I didn't think it was "a big deal." From what I could tell, the "ugly freckle" wasn't hurting me and the few "dry spots" on my chest and upper back weren't adversely affecting me either, so I felt it was a luxury rather than a necessity to visit a dermatologist; I didn't feel any sense of urgency whatsoever.
Sophia, our 2nd daughter, may have very well saved my life! When I was pregnant with Sophia, I had a pyrogenic granduloma to appear on the side of my nose; because it was on my face, I had to have it removed by a plastic surgeon.
While examining my face, my plastic surgeon "happened" to look down at my leg and said, "I don't like what I see on your leg, we need to get that cut out immediately!" and within 48 hours she cut my "ugly freckle" out and sent it to pathology.
I still didn't think a thing about it! I actually thought, "Here we go!" We've heard those stories about people getting addicted to plastic surgery, haven't we? She had removed the pyrogenic granduloma from the side of my nose and I had her remove 2 other moles that were on my face and now this place on my leg, again, I was thinking, "Oh brother!" That's how serious I took it!
Come to find out, the "ugly freckle" on my leg was MALIGNANT MELANOMA, which is an invasive type of cancer; if not detected early, it can be deadly!
My cancer was "miraculously" detected just in the nick of time! It takes my breath away to think that I was ONLY weeks or months away from being given a possible death sentence!
This is serious business folks! I beg you to ACT UPON this WARNING! EARLY DETECTION can SAVE YOUR LIFE; please click the following link and join me in spreading the word for the purpose of saving lives!
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteThank God it was caught early. I hope you are doing well and thank you for making us aware.
Victoria (PSI, bunk bed buddy)
Karen,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that the doctor caught your cancer in time.
My nephew was diagnosed with stage 4 Melonoma cancer at the age of 22. He passed away when he was 23. Since his death my brother and his wife started the Philip A Bryant Melonoma Foundation. They sponsor Phil Phest each year to help spread the word about skin cancer. The website is www.pab40foundation.org. This year Phil Phest will be held April 2, 2011 from 11a-9p at R.E.Olds Park in Oldsmar.
Hey Sister!! This is a Big wake-up call for all of us...Ironically, I made the decision to stop sunbathing last year when I turned 40. It doesn't
ReplyDeleteerase the damage that has already been done. This is a "Scary" reality of what the Sun "Really" does to our bodies!! This will hopefully bring much needed awareness to many people that LOVE to have that golden tan!! Especially all of your teenage nieces.
Thanks for sharing from your heart ~~
Love You!! Kristy
I have been trying to get my red-headed, freckled husband in to see a dermatologist for years now. I am making the appointment today, like it or not, he is going.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen.
Thank you Sophia.
Karen - I'm so glad that a crazy series of events led you to be diagnosed in time! Just another reason to be thankful you are moving out to the great state of IN! The sun is brutal down here in Florida. I've come to love my pale self in the winter and L'Oreal Sublime Glow self-tanner in the summer. Great blog & reminder of the seriousness in getting a regular skin check. I hope everything continues to turn out okay.
ReplyDelete-Elizabeth