The path.

My Mom took this photo when we were all recently down on the coast. There are tons of trails along the beach, weaving in and out of the forest and right to the edge of the ocean.

I like seeing photos like this of the three of us together. Relates great to that post the other day about each of us being on our own separate journeys even while traveling down the very same path.

Yesterday I got a call from my dermatologist with the results of my skin biopsies. One of the moles they removed was melanoma. Luckily (and this is so the reason for being proactive and having your body checked) it was very, very early and only on the top layer of skin. I have to go back in and they will remove some more of my skin around that area as a precaution - to make sure they got all the cancer that was there with that mole.

So very lucky.

Here's to kind dermatologists, sunscreen and being smart about the sun.

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82 thoughts

  1. Jennifer LoSchiavo says…
    08/02/2007

    Oh, Ali - I am so glad they caught it early! Blessings to you!
    P.S. Still working on my Week in the Life album from CKU Anaheim. I was in the Friday's class with my mom. I was showing off my "work in progress" at a scrap weekend I went to this past weekend. ALL of my friends hope that I have a workshop to show them how to do it and I said, "you will just have to take a class with the fabulous Ali!" {{HUGS}}

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  2. Danielle says…
    08/02/2007

    Hang in there girl! Thank GOD you went in when you did. A few friends of mine have had similar melanomas removed and sailed through with no problems..all about early detection. Keeping you in my thoughts!

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  3. Steph says…
    08/02/2007

    Oh Ali - just that word takes my breath away. Thank God for early detection and also for your attitude. (((((((hugs)))))))) to you!

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  4. Lisa says…
    08/02/2007

    Ali, kudos to you to getting tested! As someone who has skin cancer intertwined with her family history, I know only too well how insidious it can be. Best wishes and best health to you!

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  5. Kate Greenslade says…
    08/02/2007

    Hey Ali, soooooo glad that the mole has been removed, and that it was *just* the top layer. My Dad has had many many of these removed - only one has been a melanoma thankfully - due to a legacy of being in the sun ALL the time when he was younger. Consequently, I avoid going in the sun as much as possible, and when I do, I make sure that I wear sunglasses, sunhat or cap, and long sleeves and sunscreen. My kids don't go out in the sun without sunscreen (SPF Bandaid, lol). Best wishes (and congratulations on your anniversary). Kate xxx

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  6. Bec says…
    08/02/2007

    Thank goodness you caught it early. I am 55 and grew up on the Gulf coast of FL. Sunscreen, what was that? We had sun tan lotion and oil!
    Now, because I was not good about wearing sunglasses, I have a nevus (freckle) on one of my retina. If it starts to grow, it will then be called melanoma. Thank God it looks like it will be like majority and remain a benign growth. It still is worrisome. I get checked every 6 months.
    I worry now because I was not diligent about sunscreen when my grown sons were little.
    Yes, you just never know what shows up on the path.

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  7. amy says…
    08/02/2007

    good for you for getting it checked out soon! like your previous post i too lived in the sun/water/beach all summer long. and sunscreen, if i felt like it. i am now getting my daughter in the habit of always putting it on at the ripe age of 3 so she will be habitual about it especially as a teenager and adult. best wishes to your family and your medical follow ups.
    amy

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  8. Andrea says…
    08/02/2007

    Ali,
    I'm so glad that your melanoma was caught early. My father just had several moles removed that turned out to be cancerous, very scary. After many years of being reckless with the sun myself, I've sworn off it (and miss it terribly) and now go for the tan in a tube. Best wishes and good health!
    Andrea

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  9. nia says…
    08/02/2007

    whew Ali, so glad that they caught it time and that you are doing well. That photo makes me smile.

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  10. TanyaS says…
    08/02/2007

    That is great news! I am all for getting checked early and often! ~Tanya

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  11. maryjo says…
    08/02/2007

    it's all about karma. it's good & i'm glad. i had a couple of spots removed a few months ago too. it's not invasive & prevention is the way to go. glad to hear the good new. & yet another fabulous picture! maryjo

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  12. teensleuth says…
    08/02/2007

    Thank god for the advent of sunblock. I still can't believe I used to go to the TANNING BED when I was in high school. What was I thinking?
    How is your healthy eating/special diet going? It would be inspiring to hear about, even if you've slipped. I like knowing how other people work in the time to not just "do what's comfortable" or "go through the motions"--esp. with food.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Kris with a K says…
    08/02/2007

    Good for you to get checked, and glad that it's not only early stage but surface.
    I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my upper lip/below nose area. I'm on an every 6 month check now.
    Early detection. It's crucial.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Tara says…
    08/02/2007

    I am a melanoma survivor, I too caught it early like you, but I was only 16 at the time. Gosh that was almost 20 years ago now! Thank you for educating us all about the dangers of the sun!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Lee says…
    08/02/2007

    Hugs to you girl.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. kath says…
    08/02/2007

    Ali ~ (((HUGS))) and prayers!!!
    My husband has been batteling skin cancer for the past 2 years now. He goes to the Dr. every 3 months for check ups. Each time he's gone back, more seems to be found. We're grateful he has a GREAT Dr. and is being very well taken care of.
    I'm so glad you/your Dr. were able to find this so very early! God Bless you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Stephanie says…
    08/02/2007

    Glad you were able to catch it. My thoughts are with you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. erin yamabe says…
    08/02/2007

    omg, sending you lots of hugs and sending prayers up for you right now:)
    thank goodness it was early, and that you are in great hands!
    blessings,
    erin

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. jen says…
    08/02/2007

    Timing is everything. Thank goodness it was early and is easier to treat now. Never rains but it pours, right? ; )

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Care says…
    08/02/2007

    Girl - I got chills when I read that. Scared me. Keep an eye on it. Julie had hers removed several years ago, at which time they thought they got it all. I don't want to go through all this with another friend - or myself. I need to be more diligent about that stuff.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Vera says…
    08/02/2007

    Thank you very much for sharing this, I have a mole myself since I was born it's on my stomach. I'm going to have it checked as a precaution. God Bless you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. tara says…
    08/02/2007

    hi ali-so love your hands reaching back to simon.
    im glad they caught it. im proud of you for taking care of yourself.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Christine Villacarlos says…
    08/02/2007

    Glad to know you caught it early on. Take care, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Tanja says…
    08/02/2007

    Wow, that really was in time. My husbands aunt is in hospital right now diagnosed with breast cancer but here it also seems to be in a real early stage so everything is looking fine so far.
    So girls, keep you bodies checked!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Beth says…
    08/02/2007

    My doctor found a basel cell carcinoma last fall on my face and I, too, had to go under the knife.
    I know it's not popular to scrapbook sad or scary events - but I did.
    It's a grounding LO that reminds me to be vigilent about sunscreen and will hopefully educate my family & friends who flip through my albums that they are not immune to this.

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