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Another 3 Months… Another Skin Check for Melanoma

Published · By Debbie · 30 Comments

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Another 3-Months…Another skin check.

Today I go in for my third skin check since I had a melanoma removed from my leg last December. 

lab sample
The portion of skin that gets cut out and sent to the lab.

If you have been following along in my fight against Melanoma, then you are aware that I must have skin checks every 3 months as part of my follow-up treatment. This year hasn’t been the best health-wise.

My skin is extremely sick. A lot more so than I thought. So far, I have not had a single clear skin check since my surgery. I have had a biopsy at each skin check appointment, and each biopsy report has revealed new Stage 0 Melanoma on my skin on my shoulder and back. Out of 3 biopsies, since the original melanoma was removed from my leg, 2 have had to have in-office wide excision skin surgery to remove any residual cancer cells that could possibly be forming on and under my skin.

I ain’t gonna lie; I DREAD today because I am really damn tired of getting cut open. As soon as one surgery wound heals, it’s time to go back for another check. With each new discovery, my clock resets for follow-up care. At this rate, I’ll be going to a dermatologist every three months for quite some time.

Another 3-Months…Another skin check. Today I go in for my third skin check since having melanoma removed from my leg last December. | TheMountainKitchen.com
Large shoulder scar from 2nd Skin Check. The smaller back scar from 1st Skin Check.

Regardless of all these cuts and incisions, I am thankful. I am so thankful that the doctors are finding this crap and cutting it off of me before it is too late. So today, I am trying to go into that dermatology office with a positive attitude. I’m going in hoping and praying they don’t have to cut on me anymore. But if they do, I know that they are doing what they need to do to keep me safe from this awful disease.

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

Please read it. Learn from me. PREVENT IT!

Thanks for reading this and allowing me to share my journey with you.

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Help me raise awareness! Please use the share buttons below to share on social media sites. You could help save a life!

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About Debbie & David

We live on the side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Virginia. I am the author and photographer here at The Mountain Kitchen, where I share delicious homemade recipes using clean food ingredients, and stories about mountain life. Read more...

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Comments

  5. MichelleMarie says

    Oh my what a post. I hope and pray that you test comes back clean. So sorry about this. I had on removed from my back that was suspicious and it turned out clear so that was good. I can imagine you do get scared. Sending you prayers.

    Reply

    • The Mountain Kitchen says

      Thank you Michelle. I’m glad you caught yours and it turned out to be nothing serious. I encourage you to do skin checks every year, unless your doctor recommends them more frequently. Early detection is so important! Thanks again for the prayers!

  7. Anonymous says

    will be thinking of you today – i’m a relatively new reader and i thank you for letting us follow along with this, besides sharing all the fun foodie things and your life on the mountain. you’re performing a great public service in so many ways. –suz in ohio

    Reply

  9. Kathryn @anotherfoodieblogger says

    Cheryl Cheffie pointed me your way! I’ve been perusing around your blog, you seem like my kinda gal! I am an ex-smoker too who started food blogging not too long after quitting (but not with such a creative name, lol), and I live in the mountains but up in Oregon! I had Squamous skin cancer a few years ago, but luckily not Melanoma but it can still metastasize, just not as quick as Melanoma. Every time I go in for a skin check they always seem to slice something else off of me or freeze my face. I even had the blu-light treatment done on my face. That felt like a million bee stings for 15 minutes, ouch! But like you, no new cancer yet. Keep up the good work on spreading the word on skin cancer awareness! xoxo

    Reply

    • The Mountain Kitchen says

      Hi Kathryn!
      Sounds like we have a lot in common. I’m sorry to hear you had to deal with squamous cell cancer. My late-father had a very aggressive form of it and it with many other health complications took him away from us. Skin cancer of any kind is nothing to play around with. The blu-light treatment sounds awful, I’m sorry you had to experience that. Thanks for sharing with me and giving me support in my effort to raise awareness. If I can save just one person from having to go through this it, it will so worth it.
      Hope to see you around. Take care!
      Debbie

  10. Merrie Sue says

    Hi Debbie,
    I am sorry for what you are enduring, but I also feel respect for you, for sharing your pain, frustration and discomfort. I believe, by sharing your story, you aren’t only creating awareness of the disease, you are sharing your pain, which to me, is a form of letting go of it. You and David have overcome many obstacles to achieve your dream. The two of you have proven what can be accomplished when you have someone to lean on during the difficult times, as well as the good times.
    Well Wishes to you.

    Reply

    • The Mountain Kitchen says

      Merrie Sue,
      Thank you so much for the thoughtful words. Yes, I guess I am letting go of somethings in my head. I’ve always used writing to get stuff out. It’s therapy. Thanks so much for the well wishes!
      Debbie

  11. Annie says

    I’m so sorry you have to go through all of this Debbie, but I am thankful you’re willing to share as I know it will help (and hopefully save!) many. I’m sending all the positive vibes I’ve got for a clean bill of health soon! Big hugs!

    Reply

  13. Antonia says

    I pray everything goes well for you today. We all spent too much time in the sun when we were younger, not understanding the consequences. Please let us know how it goes.

    Reply

    • The Mountain Kitchen says

      Thank you so much for the prayers, Antonia. Unfortunately, my dermatologist found two more spots to biopsy next week. I will post more when I know more. If you don’t, I highly encourage you to have a skin check. Unfortunately, many out there still do not listen to the dangers.

  14. Julie says

    None of this is fun Debbie. Unfortunately we pay for something that we had no knowledge of 10+ years ago for. I’m sure that each visit has you holding your breath. You are very fortunate that you took action and got checked last December.

    Reply

  15. Angie | Fiesta Friday says

    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Debbie! Hope everything turns out alright. I had a biopsy done on a spot on my leg a few years ago. Thankfully it came back negative but waiting for the result was agonizing. Hang in there! Hugs & kisses!

    Reply

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