I’m sorry I don’t have a recipe for you today. In my efforts to raise awareness about Melanoma, I want to update you about what’s been going on since I was diagnosed with Stage 1B Melanoma. I’ve learned a lot about Melanoma in the past six months, but my challenge has been learning to live as a Melanoma survivor.
Surgery to remove the melanoma was the first step to survival. My doctors are monitoring me very closely. I have to be very diligent with my follow-up care. Along with the risk of melanoma coming back, there is a high risk of developing another.
Skin Checks
I get skin checks every three months, with chest x-rays and blood work every six months. My doctor and I decided to rotate my skin check visits between the team at the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center and the dermatologist who did the initial biopsy last year. This puts 4-sets of eyes on me every three months, and I find that somewhat comforting. What one misses the others can catch, or at least that is my hope. At the same time, I need to do regular self-exams of my skin and lymph nodes and report any new symptoms such as pain, cough, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
The timing between visits can be extended from three to six months and eventually out to a year, but my clock keeps resetting. My dermatologists keep finding new places to biopsy and treat.
The Biopsy
The last time I wrote about my treatment, I was getting ready to undergo my second wide excision. At my three-month check-up, one of my dermatologists biopsied two new places on my shoulder and back. Both of which came back Stage 0 Melanoma.
Stage 0 Melanoma is Melanoma that has not grown deeper than the top layer of skin. It is treated with surgery, called a wide excision. Basically, a surgeon goes in to remove the melanoma and a small margin of the normal skin around it. The sample that is taken is sent to a lab to be reviewed under a microscope. If more cancer cells are found then, a repeat excision would be required.
The small place on my shoulder showed very mild cells with low margins and did not need further treatment, but the cells around the place on my back were severely damaged with larger margins.
Fortunately, this was a standard 30-minute in-office procedure, and there is minimal bleeding or discomfort from the surgery. Actually, the worst part is the itching during healing. Thank God!! No more cancer cells were found with the tissue sent to the lab. Only a battle scar, in which I won another battle.
More Cancer
My six-month checkup at the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center was at the end of June. I felt pretty good about everything that had happened at my 3-month checkup with my dermatologist and went into the appointment with high hopes for a clean bill of health.
At that appointment, I saw both my dermatologist and oncologist, who initially treated me. They asked about any problems I had, did exams, lab tests, and sent me over for a chest x-ray afterward.
What I didn’t expect and what really caught me off guard was that they found another suspicious place on my shoulder they wanted to biopsy. They took the time to do it while I was in the office.
My oncologist saw me when I had my pulmonary embolism symptoms. He pretty much diagnosed me in a matter of minutes based on the description of my symptoms. It had been almost six months since then, and I was more than ready to discontinue the blood thinner. In fact, I had already stopped them a few weeks early. I had some common side effects I couldn’t deal with anymore, and I was done!
My last visit with my Primary Care Physician was very frustrating for me. The appointment was a huge waste of time. I thought I could stop the medication and get a plan of action but was told I needed to take it until mid-July, and then I could stop taking it.
I discussed this with my oncologist at this appointment. Together, we decided it would be best to have another ultrasound done on my leg to ensure that the clots were gone and make sure it was safe to stop taking the blood thinner. We also ruled out having to undergo clot disorder testing based on the circumstances that more than likely caused the clot.
Within a couple of days I got GOOD results from the blood work, the chest x-ray and the ultrasound! The clear artery in my leg meant I didn’t have to go back on the blood thinning medication. However it has left me questioning my primary care…
About a week later, I received a phone call from the practitioner in charge of doing the biopsy on my shoulder. She was not calling with good news. Another Melanoma Stage 0 and an appointment with the surgeon that operated on my leg back in December. These spots of Melanoma were more than likely preexisting. My skin is badly sun damaged, so it really isn’t all that surprising.
Last week I went with David to the river for the first time this summer. Normally by this time of year, we would have gone several times, but this first summer since Melanoma, and I admit after all those years wanting to be tan, I’m scared of the sun. So much so that I had some resistance about going to the river and I managed to piss David off in the process.
While trying to get my things together, I whined and bitched so much he said he would go by himself. I knew I was getting on his nerves because I was getting on my own nerves. At that moment, I realized that I was letting the sun keep me held hostage inside. It was crushing my spirit. I took a deep breath and sucked up my frustrations and anxiety about the situation.
I didn’t like what was happening. It was time for some fun in the sun. I had let the sun keep me from doing one of the things I moved to the mountains for. I needed river therapy in a canoe on the Shenandoah River and damn it I got it!
To battle the harmful rays, I bought a big ass hat (Pollywood), a really nice Coolibar SPF 50+ swim shirt, and a towel wrapped around my legs. The shirt keeps me from having to slather sunblock all over and there is always a chance of missing spots. It takes a lot of aggravation with sunblock away.
Today I go back to the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center for my third wide excision. I try not to let all these appointments and surgeries get me down and crush my spirit. Things could be so much worse than they are. A lot worse. Getting these places cut off of me is leaving me scarred but not damaged. I believe that one of these 3-month checks will turn out well. For now, I’m rolling with the punches and taking it one doctor’s appointment at a time. It’s all part of learning to live as a melanoma survivor.
Please protect yourself and the ones you love. There is no safe tan and no it isn’t “just a sunburn”.
Here is a Prevention Guideline Handout from SkinCancer.org
Read it. Learn from it. PREVENT IT!
Thanks for reading this and allowing me to share my journey with you.
Debbie says
Wow, Debbie, you sure have been through it with the Melanoma, how frightening!! As a freckly fair skinned Irish girl, I am very hesitant to expose my skin to the sun…although I did get a sunburn earlier this year, while riding in a car, which made me nervous. I shall think of you and be even more diligent in the future about protecting myself from the sun. Thanks for your honest post, and I hope I helps someone wake up to the damage that can be caused by tanning. Praying for a clean bill of health for you in the future, mountain sister – xo
The Mountain Kitchen says
Hi Debbie! Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. My one hope is that by sharing my story I can save someone else from having to go through this or even worse. I’ve got some Irish blood in me also and I am very fair skinned. Unfortunately, you don’t really know the true dangers of the tanning until skin cancer happens to you. It’s a little frustrating to watch people be so careless. One of my dermatologist compared smoking to tanning. It’s the pleasure outweighing the risks… I’ve done both. As they say, “live and learn”. Glad to know you are aware of the dangers. Use that sun block daily! xo Mountain Sister!
Catherine says
Good for you.l have just had my lower part of my ear removed.They tell me that 40 years of night shifts can be as dangerous as too much sun. Wish you well.Take care.
The Mountain Kitchen says
Hi Catherine! So sorry to hear that you lost some of your ear. My late father suffered from a very aggressive squamous cell cancer that took his entire hear and hearing. Unfortunately, skin cancers are part of our genetics too. I do wish you well and hope you have the worst of it behind you. Stay on top of your care. It is crucial! <3
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says
I am so happy to hear you checked out Coolibar.com (I use their stuff!!! Love them!). I am so sorry to learn you had yet more biopsies and more surgeries Debbie! I am happy to report my SIL was cleared of basal cell again at last check-up (June). Still in her eyes I see and know what is running through her mind. As I know what is running through yours! Be patient with yourself and David-it is a lifelong commitment for check-ups. You are a SURVIVOR for sure. Your Florida Bud always, Cheryl xoxoxo
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! Your encouragement and support mean a lot. I hope you SIL remains clear and the worry will begin to fade away! The key is staying on top of care. xoxo <3
Sherri Parker Thompson says
You’re in our prayers, Debbie! Love you! You’ve got this! You are a strong woman.
Sherri Parker Thompson says
Sending prayers, Debbie. You are a strong woman and you’ve got this! Love you!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks, Sherri. Your prayers are appreciated. Being a strong woman runs in the family. Love you too!
Dana @ IveGotCake says
Big whoooop for getting that big ass sun hat!!
You’ve had a bumpy road babylove but I’m really happy to see that you’re doing well. Life would really stink if you weren’t, so keep keeping your spirits high and thank you for continuing to raise awareness on this.
Love you to little bitty DNA pieces 😀
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks so much Dana! Your support means a lot to me. I found the hat at TJ Max for like $15 whopping buckaroos! It’s called “Pollywood”, very fitting! I love your little bitty DNA Pieces, sweet friend! <3
Annie says
I had this as marked important in my inbox and finally got to reading the post – Debbie, you are one tough lady – and I applaud you for spreading the word and being so honest and open about your experience, that is so, so important. As always, sending lots of strength, love and all the positive vibes and prayers I’ve got.
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thanks, Annie. There’s no sugar coating cancer. Just hoping I can save one person from having to go through this. Your support means a lot to me. Thanks! ?
Nila says
Thank you for the information. I am 49 and have had 2 stage 0 melanoma, 1 on each leg. Today I had 6 more biopsies. I live out west but I am looking into the Inova Cancer Center. Any advice would be appreciated. Stay Well
The Mountain Kitchen says
Hi Nila, I hope my blog post brought you a little peace of mind. I feel like I have been thrilled with the Inova Cancer Center. I could not have asked for better care. I feel like there should be other cancer centers closer to you, but if you think you must seek Inova out, don’t wait. They are extremely busy, and it may be hard to get in. I am glad you caught the melanoma early, and I pray that you will not have to go through too many more biopsies.
Best wishes! Debbie