Dear 16-Year-Old Me | Skin Cancer Awareness
I found this video via a link Becky Higgins posted yesterday and I think it's a super important message about melanoma.
As some of you may know, melanoma is part of my story. I've written just a little about my personal journey here and here. I've had over 40 moles removed - all but five or so came back abnormal with one being stage one melanoma (I was about six or seven months pregnant with Anna). I see a dermatologist every three to six months for full body checks and have my eyes checked by an eye surgeon annually.
I made my first appointment with a dermatologist after my Dad had a few moles removed (none of his have been melanoma but he has had two other types of skin cancer) and after the death of someone I knew - a young Mom named Julie (close friend of my friend Carrie Colbert). You can read the beginning of her story, in her own words, written in December 2006 here. I definitely credit her words for spurring me to action.
In sharing this today I hope it spurs someone else to pick up the phone if they have any moles that might seem suspicious. Read more about melanoma here.
Thanks for sharing this video. I am a 3 yr. melanoma survivor because I took action after you posted your story. Your willingness to share your life with us makes a difference, in more ways than you can imagine.
So happy to read that :).
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One answer to cancer
by
Elaine Hollingsworth
Black salf, draws the cancer out, and is available on the net
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my post is a little different than most i have read. i am a nurse and my little patient is only 10 years old who doesn't go out in the sun until its goes down. patient is very fair skinned and blond. just this week was taken to a doctor on thursday and will have surgery this monday.my little patient has the melanona on the sole of the right foot.as i said my post is some what different. it is not about me but a little child who never spent any time in the sun until it goes down in summer months. why? meds this child is weak has c/p very worried as i have been with this child about 4 years in home. you get very close to a patient but a child. this child is like a grandchild as i am a older nurse. and i am feeling very heart broken now just need to find out all i can.my little patient has such a weak immune system does anyone know how that would effect treatment. the childs mother is torn up i do not want to ask too many questions as this has happend very sudden. i too am in shock as i said this child is like a grandchild. my heart feels so sad. this child has said things over many weeks before we knew anything. my patient calls me mamaw. the patient said mamaw if my eyes close and can't wake up will you miss me. i miss you bunch. this little child has cebral palsy. very weak. not once has she said this but daily for weeks.my heart feels heavy and sad. i need to vent.
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