I have good news!
I am very happy to report that after being diagnosed Melanoma Stage 1B 16 months ago, I finally got my first clear skin check last week!! No concerns, no biopsies, just some measurements taking of some existing moles and a good thorough look at my skin.
I can’t even begin to tell you how badly I needed to hear that. I was so relieved to hear that I didn’t need any biopsies done this time around. I’m tired of being cut on!!
Getting this good report, gives me a little more confidence and will help me dread these appointments a little less. Although someone needs to tell that to my heart because my bp was high from my really bad case of White Coat Syndrome…
So now, I’m going to be blunt.
THIS IS WHAT TANNING CAN DO TO YOU:
I realize that this is mostly a food blog, but I will not apologize for the gory photos. This is what tanning can do to you and I have been incredibly blessed it hasn’t been worse than this. There are others in this world who have suffered far more than I have and I thank God every day for opening my eyes.
I now have one question for YOU… Have you called a dermatologist to schedule your skin check?
I can’t stress enough to you how very important skin checks are to your health. Before you come up with an excuse not to call and schedule an appointment, I didn’t think I would get Melanoma either, but I did.
My story has turned out well. So many others aren’t so lucky.
Go get checked. It could save your life!
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 thank you for your support.
xoxo,
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says
Yay Debbie-soooooooooooooooo glad for you to have a clear skin check-up! xo
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thank you Cheryl. I hope your SIL is doing OK also.
Kathryn Rocheleau says
I am VERY happy for your clear skin check, WOOHOO! I love that you posted this awareness post, it is so important to get a skin check annually, especially if you spent a lot of time in the sun unprotected as a child and teenager. (My mom knew nothing about sunscreen back then…)
I am STILL waiting on an annual skin check that doesn’t result in a biopsy, dang it! My last one a few weeks ago resulted in TWO biopsies, and one was on an existing biopsy site they’d already biopsied two years ago. But thankfully they both came back negative. I totally get the part about being tied of being cut on. Plus the dermatologist always wants to “freeze” a spot on my face, ugh!
Cheers to continued clear skin checks! xoxo
The Mountain Kitchen says
Kathryn,
I really appreciate your support. I’m glad to hear you are diligent with getting checks. I know how hard it is to face it each time, but it is so important. My one hope through all of this mess, is that I can save one person from having to go through what I have been through. I couldn’t imagine anything worse than this and it hurts my heart to hear about others who aren’t so lucky. I wish you clean skin checks this year!
xoxo,
Debbie
ohiocook says
What fantastic news! May it come back clear from now on!! Congrats, Mark
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thank you so much Mark! I wish the same for you. <3
Genie says
Wow! I need to make it over here more often. I had no idea what was going on. So glad for the good report.
The Mountain Kitchen says
All is good Genie. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Antonia (Zoale) says
Congratulations, what great news! I am with you, it is so dangerous. I grew up on the coast and had my share of burns and too much sun overall. I go every year and am always scared, because I know I am high risk. I am so happy for you!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thank you Antonia. Just keep on getting checked and you will be just fine. Glad to hear you get checked.
Dana says
Ouch!!!
But on a happier side YAAYYYYYY!!!
So freakin happy to hear you’re doing better, you know you’re one of my favs so I can’t have you going through it alone – thank you for sharing your progress with us beautiful woman <3
The Mountain Kitchen says
Thank you Dana! You’re one of my faves too! ?