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. janine says…
    08/03/2007

    Wow - it's easy to tell from all these posts how many people you will influence about being proactive. The internet is such a cool tool! So glad it was an early find - hope all goes well with the precautionary treatment:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Carla says…
    08/03/2007

    Thank god you caught this early. becuase of you i have decided to make an appointment with my doctor to take a look at a little red bump that appeared on my shin a few months ago. i hope its nothing, but you have encouraged me to face the fear and just go check it out.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. suetreiber says…
    08/03/2007

    way to be proactive!!
    Glad it was caught early. a good thing indeed!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Lisa L. says…
    08/03/2007

    so greatful you went - that could have been so serious!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Shelly says…
    08/03/2007

    Oh, Ali! How fortunate that it was caught early! Wow--you surely have been going through your share of health-stuff lately! Take care -- You'll be in my prayers.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Nicole D. says…
    08/03/2007

    So glad that everything is going to be okay! :0)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Mo says…
    08/03/2007

    Great picture!
    Very happy about your mole. I started getting yearly check ups two years ago and my wish is more people start with early detection too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. paolo liloc says…
    08/03/2007

    thinking about you and whispering chants of gratitude for you...
    :)
    P

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. alex says…
    08/03/2007

    You are luck, good for you for taking care of your self. reminds me to do the same.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. leslie says…
    08/03/2007

    love the calmness of the picture. it seems to correlate to how you're handling the mole thing. thanks for the reminder to us all. to be proactive! i am glad they/you caught yours early enough. a true blessing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Sue says…
    08/03/2007

    Hi Ali
    I too had melanoma and caught it early enough. I have a huge scar on my back, but it's a reminder to be careful and check often. I am so happy they caught it on time. I also celebrated my 21st anniversary on August 2nd!
    Congratulations on your anniversary too. Thanks for your inspiration.
    Sue

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Alyssa says…
    08/03/2007

    So glad you got tested early enough! Prayers that the doc gets all the cancer when you go back in. This is a good reminder for me to go get a few of mine checked!!!
    Alyssa
    P.S... Love the coast photo. We were just there last weekend!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Kelly Goree says…
    08/03/2007

    I'm so glad you went and had it checked and it was caught early, ali. i'm so glad you're being proactive and many prayers for a healthy outcome :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Autumn says…
    08/03/2007

    Love photo of you guys at the coast.
    Glad that you went to get it checked out. I have been telling myself to do the same thing but haven't done so. I hate doctors, but it is better to be proactive and get things checked out before they get worse.
    Thanks for sharing your story.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Charin says…
    08/03/2007

    Oh, Ali! How scary, I'm so glad that you had it checked on early. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Autumn says…
    08/03/2007

    Here's a link to a great program for educators who want to teach students about sun exposure. Educators who sign up get a kit with classroom lessons and a frisbee that will turn purple once exposed to UV Radiation. I teach middle school and my students get a total kick out the frisbee ... very good visual to show the importance of sunblock and sun protection. You can pass this along to any educators you know (including Simon's teacher, if she doesn't already know about it)
    http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/index.html

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  17. angela says…
    08/03/2007

    Ali, even though I already commented, i just thought of something that i read somewhere: "the path is not straight" it was triggered by your heading the path. I even painted crooked lines around the woodwork in my kitchen one time to remind me...=D

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Steph says…
    08/03/2007

    Ali, I just discovered your blog and am going to return for more. It is truly a delight, a very freeform style that I feel so comfortable lingering around.
    I, too, had a melanoma removed last year, very small one on the back of my arm. I had simply decided I ought to book an appointment one day (since I spend a lot of time outdoors, and since I'm in my 30s) and, kablam, there it was. Fortuitous of me to randomly decide on scheduling an appointment. I go now every year, alsmot wondering whether it wouldn't be prudent to go twice in the same. Why not be paranoid? We're so vulnerable in our skin.
    Yes, thanks for spreading the word.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Sue says…
    08/04/2007

    That photo is perfect after your post the other day! Great job, Ali's mom!
    I'm glad that you went to the doctor early and they can take care of it relatively easily. Take care.
    Sue

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Loki says…
    08/04/2007

    Hi
    I just stumbled across this site and wanted to show my admiration to a great person and an excellent parent, if only everyone responded to their children with the same love and Enthusiasm as you do. you have my utmost respect and admiration, And may I offer the best of luck for the future.
    All the way from the U.K.
    Loki

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Laura Reaux says…
    08/04/2007

    I realized this morning that the nice lady wasn't pointing out anything pertaining to this... but maybe she nudged you into the self-checking you've been doing. ;) I hope you're feeling ok. ((((((Hugs)))))) Make today a great day!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Stephanie Homburg says…
    08/04/2007

    all about the early detection. in everything. hugs to you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Tara Whalen says…
    08/04/2007

    Thank goodness you went in! I am so glad for you and your family that these few health issues are being found and taken care of. That little boy is so lucky to have you as his mama.
    Blessings
    Tara

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Tammy M. says…
    08/04/2007

    Thank God that you caught it in time...my prayers are with you. My hubby was sitting with me when I read your post and your post has prompted me to get a mole looked at that unbeknownst to me has gotten a little bigger since the last time I looked at it(it's in a spot I can't see very well, but hubby noticed) and skin cancer runs in my family. Will be calling for an appointment next week for sure. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  25. Jennifer says…
    08/04/2007

    Sorry for the melanoma, but so glad for your proactivity. You've had quite a few things to deal with lately but I'm really happy for you that you were so aware of these things, took action, and that it was so caught early. You're a good role model! You're in my thoughts! Take care.

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