May... Brings Flowers of Hope...

I am not sure if other people in my BCCNS family have challenges with different fabrics, colognes and cosmetics  like I do. My skin has always been sensitive to things. I have been tested and I am not allergic just sensitive to things I put on my skin. With all the surgeries I have had the past 2 years my skin is A LOT drier than ever before and the two lines of cosmetics I could tolerate before now make me look like I have Rosacea. A friend of my mothers can only wear Clinique. I never associated that line with sensitive skin so I set up a make over. I went on a day that I had absolutely nothing else to do. JUST IN CASE. Well, I am more than pleased. It hides most of what I don't want to see in the mirror.

With Clinique

I know they are bad selfies but I could not resist.

Without Clinique

You know how when you look at something all the time it usually becomes almost invisible to you? My scars may have become that way to the people I deal with daily.  Myself, not as much. Every time I look in the mirror  ALL I see is the road map of scars all over my face and neck. The fact that the makeup feels like I am not even wearing any is amazing. I know there are other makeups that cover even more. I do not think I could wear those. I had been in the clown ministry at my church and that makeup created challenges for me. I also have acquaintances that do theatre and I cannot tolerate stage makeup either. So this is awesome for me.   

One of the blessings of this past year is the relationships that have developed in my life. I have new friends that have become like family. Friends from the "good old days"  with whom I have reconnected. Extended family that have becomes friends too. I have my BCCNS friends and my business friends as well.

My Mom (left) and my Mother (right)

My birth mother moved in with me a year ago.  She helps me with all my  medical appointments as well as my business.  My mom lives in Texas still and I have been blessed to see her every couple of months now instead of once or twice a year if I was lucky. There happened to be a business event in San Antonio on the 7th of May so I stayed over to visit with my mom for a few days. This year I had both of my moms on Mother's Day for the first time in my life. They actually enjoyed each others company. This is them sharing the dessert they brought home from our lunch date. The two most important women in my life at one table.



My cousin under went a double mastectomy the Monday after Mother's Day. She went home Tuesday in full makeup, with her hair done and wearing what I believe to be a beautiful pink lace  dress. She went back to work from home that Wednesday.  As of this posting she is cancer free requiring no other treatments. She has resumed running for exercise and is feeling liberated and strong. Most of the women in my family are very well endowed. She has no qualms with her new A - physique. Thank You Jesus.

It was also inspiring to see some of my business associates in San Antonio. Between Clinique and the weight loss there were a few who did not recognize me. Our next regional meeting is in September this could get interesting. Four more months to work on the weight.

I had the MRI of my brain and my mammogram on the 18th of May. I saw my primary on the 19th and the MRI showed no internal changes since the last scan. I have calcium deposits in the falx of my brain. Those have stayed about the same for the last 4 years.

May 20th I saw my Mohs surgeon to deal with the tumors on my forehead, nose and behind my left ear, This trip was very different as my husband had the tumor removed for the top of his right shoulder during the same day. His ended up being a lot larger than he or I thought; he left with over 20 stitches. I actually stood behind the surgeon and watched the entire procedure start to finish. Yes, two patients in one room. The surgeon thinks that was a first in his career. The only down side is my husband is not as good a patient as I am AND he is off work until the 22 of June. Pray for me.

As for my procedures, the spot behind my ear was done with one stage.

Surgical site post op




Tumor site pre op


 

 The surgeon opted to biopsy the spot on the right side of my nose also. The spot on the left side of my nose took two stages. The tumor on my forehead that everyone thought was benign took 4 stages to be cancer free.

Biopsy and surgery sites marked



nose and forehead post op

The surgeon was able to close my forehead most of the way there was a small area in the middle that was left open to heal.

My forehead after stitches

My husband and I were scheduled to return for suture removal on the 27th. That week was very interesting. My husband definitely has a new appreciation for my surgical procedures.  The 27th could not come fast enough for me.  Even after watching my husband through his entire procedure I did not notice that the stitches used internally were clear. The stitches externally were dark. Had I paid closer attention I would not have made another trip on the 29th to the surgeon's office thinking we missed a stitch or two of mine.  DUH!

May came and went. My mammogram came back with something of concern so they requested film from the last 3 that I had for comparison. No news as of June 1.

T.O.P.S. update as of June 1, 2015 I have lost 42.25 pounds. 



April Showers....Bring a Storm of Emotions

WOW!  This is what happens when you do not follow thru with things in a timely manner. The State Recognition Day with TOPS was in April; not March. Some how the calendar on my smart phone got messed up.  Dumb smart phone!!

The weekend of March 13th and 14th was a bowling outing with the Dinwiddies and the Johns families. These two families have special needs children that are now teens and young adults. Their kids have been active in the Special Olympics for years. These young people have decided "Aunt" Subrena needs to go bowling with them once a month for exercise. I will have to say it is a blast.

Our dear friends, Bud and Heather Dinwiddie went with us on out anniversary vacation.  My 1/4 pound weight gain was a result of those 10 days in Memphis and New Orleans. Still, the story of my husband showing me the quarter cup of water is the same.  REALLY!

So March ended with having lost 21 pounds since joining TOPS. I received a charm for 20 pound weight loss. It went on the charm bracelet I received when I joined along with the charm for state recognition day. These charms are serious business with veteran TOPS members. They are "badges of honor". There were people at the conference with necklaces FULL of them.

Easter was early this year.  For me, this has always been a time for reflection and repentance. This year my emotions were all over the map. Chief among my shortcomings was failure to attend my church regularly since the passing of my brother in law last September. I'm working to correct that. Easter was celebrated at a service in the Meramec Caverns.  I came out of it refreshed and more thankful than ever for the relationships and people in my life.

The 7 biopsies my new dermatologist took on March 12 came back positive. All of these were in areas that had been surgically cleared previously.  I pushed for a biopsy of one spot on my forehead even though the dermatologist and my Mohs surgeon did not think it was basal cell. Thankfully they humored me because I was right. Sometimes I would not mind being wrong. More Mohs was scheduled for April 20th and 27th.

The other thing I am doing with my new dermatologist is the Aldera cream on my neck, shoulders and upper back. She wants to see what reaction I get from the cream over the next few months. I  put the cream on nightly Monday through Friday and skip the weekends. I have set an alarm on my phone as a reminder even so I have managed to miss some treatments. The skin tags are obviously shrinking and other sites seem to be fading as well. I have attempted to take photographs but they are not showing the positive results my husband can see.

My BCCNS family knows how important it is to have physicians that you like and trust to help navigate all the challenges that come with this condition. There have been a couple of changes in my team this year.  I changed dermatologists, a change that went more smoothly than expected as she knew me indirectly from the surgery side of her group. Dr. Beardsley, my cardiologist, was so supportive and very informed on my condition. I was due to see him in June. He would have been ecstatic with my weight loss. He told me when I got to "Onderland", under 200 pounds, he might just have to ask his wife permission to get me a new outfit.  Unfortunately he died April 18th  (he and I were the same age).  So I will now consult with one of his group on July 14.

April 20th, we removed 2 tumors from the top of my head. Looking down at the top of my head, the crown area, there was a tumor to the left and one to the right. It is not always easy to distinguish location when I am lying back in the surgical chair. The tumor on the left was clear after the first stage. It appears really dark due to the cauterizing to stop the bleeding. The tumor to the right was clear after 2 stages.

The silver lining has to be that the recurring tumors are significantly smaller that the original ones that we removed over the past 2 years.

Top of my head toward the right

Top of my head toward the left

The tumor to the right post op

The site to the left (lower) post op

April 27th, we removed 2 tumors from behind my right ear. The tumor on the top was on new skin and required only one stage of Mohs surgery to be clear. The lower tumor required two stages and was cancer free. Again surgery sites are much smaller when the tumors are detected early.

Both sites pre op

Both sites post op

I met with my primary on April 29th. I was still experiencing stabbing pains in my head. He has also been watching my red and white blood cell counts to be pro active if signs of anemia or infection arise. During our visit I told him how exasperated I had been with the reoccurring tumors and surgeries. He said it was time for me to consult an oncologist to see what other options I may want to pursue. I have a consultation on June 25. He also scheduled an MRI of my head to see if there have been any changes since we last checked 2 years ago.

April ends with news that my cousin has breast cancer. She has opted for a double mastectomy and is consulting a plastic surgeon. I scheduled a very delinquent mammogram for myself  for May 18th. Radiology is able to do the MRI of my head on the same day. Some anxious times going into May for me.

TOPS update, as of May 1, I have lost 32.75 pounds. Woo Hoo!!

Mile 19 With Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome


My mother had cut my hair super short. In doing so we uncovered 2 tumors on the back of my head that my doctor & I had missed in previous examinations.  That meant in all probability it would take more surgeries than we initially thought to finish my head and face.

As I mentioned before, I arrived at the surgeon's office with a take no prisoners attitude. We went over all the remaining sites that need to be addressed before I begin a different type of treatment.

My husband wanted him to do 4 areas total that day.  The 2 we did today, a third spot on the back of my head and a spot inside my left ear that apparently has my husband in a tizzy. I tried to remain calm and explain to the two gentlemen that I call the shots on my body.

So on this surgery day we did the "eyes" in the back of my head. 




Mile # 19 Pre op

The one on the left is one uncovered after my haircut. The surgeon was equally surprised about this spot. The bald spot above it is from Mile # 9. My nurse had shaved a large area during that procedure and this area had to have been just outside the perimeter. The one on the right we were aware of and concerned that it may share a basement condo with the tumors behind my right ear. If that was the case this little guy was the tip of the iceberg. That was the reason I chose only 2 areas.






Right side post op

The tumor on the right took 2 stages and is cancer free. It was deep as we expected but obviously did not join with the other tumor site. The last spot we know of on the back of my head is also flesh toned and just down and to the right of this surgery site.










Left side post op

The tumor on the Left took 3 stages and is cancer free. It is shallow compared to the other side. The area at the bend in the back of your head is more sensitive than other areas. My previous experiences with this area have had me sleeping in my chair. This one proved to be no exception. Almost two weeks later I am just able to put pressure on the site.







12 days post op

So this is what Mile # 19 looks like. In 2 days I approach Mile # 20. Thanks for all your prayers and support.








Take Away Nugget: You wont ever be SORRY if you trust GOD in the GOOD and the BAD in your life.

Mile 13 with Basal Cell

With my vision impaired from surgery I will keep this short and sweet.

In My Happy Place Thursday 12-12

Marked for Mohs Surgery

10  Tumors Removed

After Reconstruction Surgery Friday 12-13

Five of the tumors required only one stage. The other five were clear after the second stage. No basement condos.  A lot less cancer than we thought. 



Reconstruction used graft from behind my left ear. Upper and lower eyelids were saved.  The white at lower edge of eye is gauze surgeon sewed in to hold graft in place.  It will be removed next Thursday. As you can see the other sites were sutured. 

To date without my eyes I have had 12 surgeries including 22 sites and removing over 210 square cm of tumors off my head, face and neck. Put all the masses next to each other and that is the size of an average dinner plate.

Thank You Jesus I could not have done it without you.

Take Away Nugget: Paths without obstacles don't lead anywhere.

My Trip Deep in the Heart of Basal Cell, Part One

I was blessed to be invited to a conference hosted by BCCNS Life Support Network. There was to be an intimate group of about 30 there.  I had yet to spend any length of time with someone who has dealt with this condition longer than I so I was really excited.  I was pumped for two plus days of back to back activities and speakers.

I flew in Thursday, Dec. 5. There were several of us due in at the about the same time. The plan was to meet and share a taxis to the hotel in downtown Ft. Worth. Before I even left the airport in St. Louis weather on the east coast had eliminated a research team from being able to join us. On the flight in I was seated next to a copilot flying in to DFW airport to begin his next 4 day rotation. He was flying out to Arizona on his first leg. I said that was awesome he would be flying away from all the weather. But alas he was to be flying back into DFW about 10 o'clock that same evening. I told him I would pray for normal conditions.  He agreed normal/boring would be great. Casual conversation came to a halt as we landed and he noticed the deicing machines going full bore. He turned to me and said, "So normal looks like it is out of the running shoot up you prayers for SAFETY". I learned more about weather and planes in the 15 minutes it took us to taxi to the gate than I had learned in the previous 45 years of flying.

Arrival at DFW brought more news of cancellations, delays and the like. I shared a taxi with Sheila and Jenny. What was normally a 40 minute drive was over an hour and a half. Once we arrived to the hotel we realized too many people had yet to arrive to have the meet and greet we had planned. Everyone agreed to meet at breakfast the next morning as planned. 

Wine and dessert at Thai Tinas

Lucky for me they had allowed my mom to meet me for the weekend. She had already checked in and was waiting in the lobby for us when we arrived. So I joined her for dinner in the Thai restaurant at the hotel. Weather lead to almost private dining and lots of conversation with the owner. Ms Tina treated us to a dessert sampler. What a way to start the weekend. My mom and I had a wonderful visit and could not wait to see what the next few days would bring.


If you are ever in downtown Ft. Worth do stay at the Embassy Suites. Sure they cost a little more. You have to figure your meal budget when you were deciding. They offer continental and made to order free breakfasts.  All rooms are suites and will sleep up to six with the queen sofa sleeper. In the evening they have a managers reception with chips, dips and other crudites. To go along with your snacks you may have all you can drink of the beverage of your choice. This includes their house wines, sodas, liquors and beers. Think about it sodas alone are $2 each on average now.

Tree outside our meeting rooms

 
The hotel was decorated for the holidays. It was very peaceful and elegant. I have used several hotels in the St. Louis area for different functions I have hosted. I will be paying a visit to our local Embassy Suites to compare apples to apples as they say.



The BCCNS Support Network hosted the event. There was abundant information available from brochures they provided to the presentations given. My mom had brought a book assuming she would not be interested in the sessions. The book went unread. For the two days of sessions we had our table covered with hand outs, pens and note books.

class in session

We learned in more detail the manifestations of the syndrome we all share. These types of sessions are priceless as BCCNS is an orphan condition.  Less than 100,000 are affected with it. We learned the latest information on the patch gene, the hedgehog inhibitors used to combat the dis function of the gene. This helped us to better understand our own genetic family. 

The guest speaker for Friday was Chaya Murali, a Genetics medical student with Baylor College of Medicine. She lead us in her program "Get It Write".  She uses this in her classes with children of all ages. We count as kids in the broad spectrum of things.  She uses writing to get people to come out of their shell. She initiates a written conversation with questions like"who do you most admire and why?" or "describe a time when you were brave".  If I remember correctly there were 10 questions over her 2 sessions. We had an allotted time to write for each question then were asked to share. I found this very insightful. These are things you might think to ask someone else going through a crisis, but neglect to ask yourself or the caregivers of people in crisis. Puts a whole different spin on things.

The hotel served a catered lunch of pastas, salad, tea and tiramisu. YUM.

After lunch we were blessed with a presentation by a young man only 18 years old. He has been dealing with the affects of the condition since he was 8. This first person story opened my eyes to several things I had not even thought of. One being this syndrome creates all sorts of emotional road blocks. This raises questions regarding how I am dealing with my fear, self esteem, anger, helplessness, etc. The second being who I have on my medical team. I have a General Practitioner, Dermatologist, Mohs Surgeon, Ocular Surgeon and Maxiofacial Surgeon. Based on conversations with several attendees regarding ways BCCNS manifests itself, I believe I need to consult an Orthopedist, Cardiologist and a Neurologist this next year. I will be discussing necessary additions with my dermatologist and surgeon over the course of the next few weeks.

Me and Mom on western night

Friday night was western night. The meal was BBQ Texas style,awesome, and fellowship with other attendees was great.  And that was just day one.

Take Away Nugget: You cannot find something until you define it..

Mile #12 with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

It is surgery day. November 19 and the decision is made to leave the area over my ears until after the cancer is removed from my eyelids in December. The areas over my ears will be done in January, 2014. 

The new patient I mentioned earlier had her first Mohs today. Her cancer was over 3.5 cm long before surgery. She did great. I was able to be with her through the procedure and as large a her cancer appeared it was all bark and no bite. One stage and she was done for the day. She started after me and left 3 hours before me. I am very thankful that I could be there for her. My husband and I enjoyed visiting with her and her brother. I believe we have made two new life long friends.

The last 3 spots on my scalp appear innocent enough. Out of the three only one is raised enough to feel it with my fingers. As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words".

Here are the next three sites in my journey.

Spot one is the only one that I could feel. It's located on the left parietal scalp. This area took 2 stages and is clear. The wound ended up being 1.3 x 1.5 cm.

Mile #12 Spot 1 After 

Mile #12 Spot 1 Before

 

Mile #12 Spot 2 Before

Mile #12 Spot 2 After

Spot two is not raised at all. The before picture shows only a slightly discolored area located on the left occipital scalp.
                                             
















 This spot also took 2 stages and is clear. The wound ended up being 1.2 x 2.1 cm.      







                                    

Mile #12 Spot 3 Before

Spot three was barely raised. I could only feel it when I pushed at just the right spot. It looked like a pale freckle. Isn't that an understatement. It's located on the occipital scalp.

Mile #12 Spot 3 After

 This spot took 4 stages. It was not nearly as deep as most cancers on my scalp but wide under the surface. The wound ended up being 1.7 x 2.5 cm. 

The pink in the lower section of the picture is the new skin from Mile #9. Literally a hairline separated the two areas of cancer. 

I do not sleep well the night before surgery. This time was no exception. I usually have to pray and work to get into my happy place. Today I woke up with a warrior attitude. I even had Ephesians 6 on my mind. 

That being said...


Take Away Nugget:  Always be dressed for success. Especially with your attitude. 
                                             

Mile # 9 with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

I made it through another Mile. WooHoo!! All you marathoners out there should have warned me about the challenges you hit at each mile. Mile #8 was definitely a (birthday) gift.

My surgeon and I are wanting to get my face and head cleared up by the end of the year. We discuss a plan to do that.  Next year begins reconstruction and my torso.

To keep on schedule I agreed to do two spot on my scalp today.   So one on the left and one on the right it is.  My goal for now is to stop over thinking. Or even thinking too far ahead.

Mile #7 (top) Mile #3 (bottom)

Lets talk about the status of Mile #7 first. The greenish spot to the right is an area that was trying to scab over. My surgeon cleaned this off. He says it does not hurt anything but can lead to excessive scaring. Mile #7 is at the top and Mile #3 is at the bottom, loads of new skin. Yeah!! Not sure how much change there is from last post. Look through the archives of my blog if you want to compare.










On to Mile #9.  This is the left side. Before surgery the spot is a little bigger than a dime and has been aggravated.

Mile #9 Left side Before

Mile #9 Left side After

 After 5 stages this is what we ended up with. The wound is a little over 2 inches in diameter.

Hallelujah it is clear of cancer all around.










 The right side surgery site is a little over an inch long.   After three stages we opted to stop on the area for the day. There is still cancer down towards the back of the ear and along the front of the ear.

Mile #9 Over Right Ear After

Mile #9 Over Right Ear Before

 Another reason to not put off treatment, the top almost merged with Mile #7 which you can see in the upper left of the 'after' picture.

Like I keep saying, if there is something abnormal on your body get rid of it.

Take away nugget: Don't be trapped in the wilderness of thinking! Be Content, Be Happy and Be On Purpose.

Post Op with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

It's a week out of Mile #8. More Basal Cell gone. Lots of new skin.This morning there is no sign of stitches under my eye or along my jaw. That makes me do the happy dance.


I am sorry the pictures are only ones their owner could love. Each picture represents a step closer to being cleaned up from this mess. I am truly thankful for everyone's support through this. Open dialogue has made everyday brighter. Since I first heard the words Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome times have changed immensely. The internet and social media make getting accurate information so much easier and quicker.

Mile #3 (bottom) and Mile #7 (top)

Mile #3 is surrounded with approximately 1/2 inch of new skin. Mile #3 can go naked now except while sleeping. All wound sites are covered to eliminate the new skin getting damaged from bedding. Mile #7 is finally getting to the gellin stage and I can shower without a bandage. There are at least two spots visible in this picture that still have to be removed. One is directly over the earpiece of my glasses and the other is just inside the shaved area down from the back edge of Mile #7.





Mile #2 (top out of frame), Mile #6 (above glasses) and Mile #8 (along the jaw)

Mile#2 is all new skin yet very pink.  Mile #6 is past gellin and just mildly tacky it can go naked now as well. Mile #8 is absolutely beautiful. This is why I love love love stitches. My body heals from them within seven days. It is still tight and slightly puckered. Mile #8 is naked all the time.

Mile #1, Mile #2 and Mile #5

Above my earpiece is a spot of Basal that has yet to be removed. Mile #2 is the skinny fading scar along my jaw. I still butter everything that is completely covered with new skin. Mile #1 is my nose and it is still tight and drawn up from the new skin. Mile #5 is my cheek and only two of the three wound sites are even visible. 

In my next update I will include a picture of Mile #4. My chin is completely healed  and getting buttered every day. If you did not know better you would mistake it for a dimple. My brothers have dimples in their chins. We may finally have some sort of resemblance. LOL for those who know us all.

Take away nugget:  Information becomes Revelation by Meditation. Your brain is your on-board computer. What are you programming into it for your life?



Mile #8 with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

Reminder: Pictures are Graphic

At home after surgery

Prior to each surgery my doctor checks the healing process of previous miles. Mile #8 starts with instruction to leave all miles except #7 naked. Leaving these sites open will allow the new skin to finish closing over the surgery sites. Now that is great news. I am beyond thankful. The past two weeks have been the most difficult I have had so far. I was taking pain medication every four hours for the first five days and every six for two more days after that. Prior to Mile #7 I had managed with pain medication every six to eight hours for no more than three days.

Remainder of Mile #2 (top) and Mile #6 (bottom)

 

 

Mile #2 is completely covered in new skin. It is slightly irritated at the top left side from being covered and getting overheated. Mile #6 is gellin. Meaning the new skin is started yet still tacky to the touch and glossy in appearance. In the photograph is a little hard to tell where one mile ends and another starts. The only edge not cancer free in this photograph is the area above my ear and going down my jawline. My jaw is part of Mile #8 below.

Remainder of Mile #3 (bottom) and Mile #7 (top)

Mile #3 is almost completely covered in new skin and is also irritated from being covered. That will be resolved now that Mile #3 can go naked. Don't let Mile #7 freak you out. It is the deepest wound so far. It is discolored but not infected or anything like that. It has gone through the first two stages of wound healing. Technically called hemostasis and inflammation stage and is headed to the proliferation stage. Now aren't you glad I just call it swellin and gellin. I say the coloration is caused from platelets in overdrive. If you insist on the medical jargon feel free to google "stages for wound healing". The final stage is maturation or remodeling stage. That is where new skin is grown over. The skin becomes tight and scars can develop. That is when you hear me say "I am buttering the wound site". Cocoa butter is my best friend right now. I choose not to use expensive scar creams. I am not a designer kind of girl.

My husband cut my hair in prep for another scalp surgery. The nurse cut more from my bangs so the hair won't lay on the surgery sites. I cannot remember ever having hair this short. So be it, short it is and short it may stay. The doctor said keeping it this short should allow him to operate on the rest of my scalp and not have to completely shave my head. the thought of not having to be Mrs. Clean is appealing. 

For Mile #8 we take on my left jaw line and a little guy below my left eye. After this procedure I should be finished with surgeries on the lower half of my face. The basal that remains there should be treatable with laser or a topical agent.

Mile 8 A Before

Mile 8A After

My doctor was not so sure about messing with the spot below my eye. He thought for sure it was just a Seborrheic Keratoses, something like an age spot. The spot under my eye was indeed Basal Cell.

Mile 8B Before

Mile 8B After

I believed the area along my left jaw would be a twin to Mile #2 my right jaw. That is just me comparing before pictures in my head.


My new mantra is if it annoys me it has to go.  This surgery required only 1 stage at both sites to be clear of basal cells.  A first for me!!

Another Hallelujah. Both sites get to leave with stitches. They may not look pretty.  But they are a breeze to care for. I am believing that history will repeat itself and in 7 days I will be stitch less. Another bonus for me with stitches is that two days post op I am off prescription pain medication.

Mile 8 A & B Stitched & Ready to Go!!

 Take away nugget:  Sometimes God calms the Storm. Sometimes God lets the Storm Rage and calms his child.

Cancer...A Family Story...Part 1

A few days post op and I am reflecting on conversations I have had over the previous 3 weeks. I would like to stay as transparent as possible through this journey.

Everyday I ask God to smile through me to someone. I am determined to see the positive in everything I do. 

When I started this marathon I was still working full time. I am in management with Wal Mart. The majority of my work day is spent on the sales floor. Several of my co workers and regular customers are shocked by the extent of my cancer. These are people who see me every day, more than my family in truth. They did not see anything that alarmed them.  My husband sees me everyday and the only thing that concerned him was the spot on my cheek that bled periodically. I have said it before and I may say it in every post forward. Know your body. Stand up for your body. Do not let anyone convince you that any changes in your skin are OK. Make them prove it. BIOPSY anything that even remotely seems out of place. Get your camera and someone you trust and start your skin journal today.

For more and more people, Cancer has become A Family Story. This is part of mine.

Meet my Uncle Don. An awesome tennis player, the family natural medicine health nut and guru, and now our beloved warrior.

He is a man who has always practiced what he preached. "Take care of your body and it will take care of you."  In 2002 Uncle Don had several basal carcinomas removed.  In 2004 he was diagnosed with his first melanoma which was removed with a Mohs procedure.  After that he kept dermatology appointments every six months.  He and his wife pointed out any concerns they had at every single visit. My aunt tells me that in 2010 there was a spot that popped up on his head resembling a blood blister. At their next visit she pointed it out to the dermatologist saying "we are concerned about it".  The doctor lightly pushed her hand away and said "it's nothing".  The spot grew rapidly and changed in appearance. She became more concerned. She even had a dream about it prompting her to push up Uncle Don's next appointment. At this visit she was more than adamant. The doctor was surprised "they had missed it" at the last visit.  He tried to excise it in the office but it was too deep.  A biopsy revealed melanoma. A second procedure with a surgeon removed it. The cancer was stage 4 melanoma by that time.  Given the advanced stage and lack of proven protocols for treatment, Uncle Don chose to let it run its course.  He has now been on Hospice for almost two years.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A SPOT DON'T LET THE DOCTOR BRUSH YOU OFF!! BE ASSERTIVE.  IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE.
























We are bombarded with all sorts of colors. Gold is for childhood cancers. I lived through that one. Pink is for breast cancer. I had a sister-in-law that lost her fight to that just a few years ago.  Light Blue is for prostate cancer. My father passed six years ago from that. I learned recently the black ribbon is for melanoma.
 
One of the vendors in our store confided to me that she lost a brother to melanoma. He had a spot on his thigh. He figured it was an age spot. He was a self professed nerd and rarely spent time out doors. He had fallen on the ice in his driveway and during surgery to set his leg the surgeon sent it to pathology. It came back melanoma. Further testing showed the cancer had spread through out his body. He passed away a year later.

In route to Texas I met a young woman on the plane who lost her husband recently to skin cancer. She was traveling with their 3 young children. She and her husband were high school sweethearts. He had a spot I believe she said it was on his back.  She doesn't recall it changing. She doesn't remember it not being there. During one of his physicals the doctor asked him about it. He decided to get it biopsied. The biopsy came back melanoma, he was gone within 8 months of his diagnosis. 

Every color of the rainbow now represents a form of cancer.  Long before these colors represented anything else they were simply the rainbow, God's promise for hope.

Take away nugget: Faith grows in the soil of Gratitude and Thankfulness. What are you truly grateful and thankful for?