We have had a rather interesting and stressful time around the cozy cottage recently. About a month ago, Bill went to the dermatologist to get some skin tags removed. While he was there, the doctor noticed a mole on his shoulder and sent it out for biopsy. The scary diagnosis came back as melanoma. He went in to have the mole removed, which ended up leaving a two inch square hole in his shoulder which had to be left open until results came back from the lab.
Bill is a two time cancer survivor . The results did not come back for two weeks. During that time he said that he would only think positive thoughts. We prayed for a good outcome, as did our friends. On Tuesday, the doctor called and said that they had gotten all of the cancer cells, and that it had been caught just in time before the cells got out of the tumor. We are extremely grateful to God for his mercy and sending Bill to the right doctor just in time. Today he was finally sewn back up. It took 100 hundred stitches and we are grateful for every one.
After seeing all of this, I quickly got myself to the dermatologist. I have never been to a dermatologist. Now that I am over 50, my skin is starting to change a bit, so I am not sure what is dangerous and what is normal aging. I saw an awesome doctor who understood my concern and thankfully pronounced me healthy.
Bill's doctor told him that melanoma is not something hereditary or internal. It is from the sun. After this, I will forever wear a hat, cover up and wear sunscreen.
I have had so many people close to me go through a cancer journey within the past year. I also lost a close friend last October to cancer. Please, please, please go through any age appropriate cancer screening. If you have any spots on your skin that do not look right, please have them checked.
Also, if your pets have any moles, have them checked. Liesl had one checked on her chest earlier this year. Schnauzers have gray skin, so her mole is black. Her veterinarian took a biopsy and fortunately, it was not a bad mole. However, her vet recommended it be removed as a precaution in case it changes. We will be doing that in the next couple of months.
We are more grateful than ever today for our blessings. Life is a great gift, yet it is all so fragile. Hug those you love and let them know how much you love them.
2 comments:
Thank goodness for great news and everyone has checked out fine.
First of all, I am so glad that all is well now with Bill. My husband also had melanoma about 17 years ago. He had a black spot on the bottom of his foot. Who would think that there would be skin cancer there? That area was rarely exposed to the sun, if ever. It, too, was caught early and aside from a hole in the bottom of his foot, he's fine. Yearly skin checks by a dermatologist and lots of sunscreen are a part of his life now. But I will tell you that one of his doctors told me that melanoma can occur "where the sun don't shine", as my husband's did. It's not uncommon. Your message is a good one, and with the summer months coming up, very timely!
Post a Comment