My Melanoma Diagnosis and Why I Feel Lucky (+ Melanoma Resources and Pics)
Agree 100%! I think the most important thing is to self check as you said. We can’t undo what we…
Yep, I do feel lucky! Earlier in the summer I had a mole on my shoulder looked at by my Dermatologist and it came back as Melanoma. I’ve had this mole on my shoulder for as long as I can remember. 
And here is a closer look at the mole. 
I started to feel that a small part of the mole was raised which was why I decided to have it checked. I went to the doctor, she decided to biopsy it just to be safe and then I forgot about it.
Yes, I Have Melanoma
About a week later, I got a call from the nurse and she said that it definitely is Melanoma in the very beginning stages (which is why I feel lucky) and it needs to be removed immediately. I was heading to the beach in 2 days for my daughters’ dance competition, so I had to wait another week before I could get in for the surgery. Of course, I immediately got online and researched Melanoma. Melanoma is the rarest of the skin cancers. Only 4% of skin cancers are Melanoma, but 79% of skin cancer deaths are from Melanoma. Someone in America dies of Melanoma every 61 minutes. Now if that doesn’t scare you. Here are some of the resources I found:
- CDC Melanoma Site
- Skin Cancer Foundation
- National Cancer Institute
- American Cancer Society
- WebMD – Melanoma
- Melanoma Research Foundation
During the week at the beach, my mind focused solely on the Melanoma on my arm. I knew it was caught early and the survival rate is 99% for Melanoma caught this early, but the thought that there was a cancer in my body scared me. That is something that happens to other people, not to me.
Melanoma Surgery
When we got back home, I went to the surgeon and had the mole removed. They take away more than just the mole. They go about 1-2 mm into the healthy skin to be sure they get all the melanoma. Then the sample is sent out for testing. If they find small traces of melanoma in the healthy tissue, they have to go back and remove more. 
Healing on the shoulder is a little trickier because you move your shoulder a lot and the skin gets pulled a lot. After 2 days, it looked like this:
For two weeks, I’ve been limited on my activity. It hurt a LOT for the first week and sleeping has been real fun because I sleep on my left side most of the time and it’s my left shoulder. It’s been almost 3 weeks and this is what it looks like now. It doesn’t hurt as much, but it does itch!
Considering it’s been only 3 weeks, I’m pretty happy with the way it looks. The doctor has given me tips on how to prevent the scar from looking too bad. I’ll share those in another post.
My Future After Melanoma
Many of you have probably seen my toes in the sand pics and read about how much I love the beach. That will not stop. I now use a lotion with sunscreen daily. I will be diligent about reapplying the sunscreen when outside and staying in the shade when possible.
I refuse to let the Melanoma stop me from enjoying the beach and having fun outside. I will have to be careful. I am having a fully body check next week to be sure there aren’t any other moles that need to be checked. I will be sure to do that annually and I will watch for moles myself.
Early Detection is Important
I am lucky because I caught mine early and I had it checked out. Often we let these things go and in this case, if I’d waited another 6 months, this might be a very different post. That is the part that scares me the most. So, if you have any moles or spots you are unsure of…HAVE IT CHECKED NOW!
I did get a call last week that they got it all and no other treatment is needed on that spot.
So, I’ve been a bit preoccupied this summer and probably let a few things slide. This whole Melanoma scare really threw me for a loop. It could have been much worse, but what I keep reminding myself is that it wasn’t bad because I took care of it.
Do you have a mole that you’ve had checked or needs to be checked? Was it Melanoma or other type of skin cancer? Share your stories.
Everyone, listen up! Say no to tanning beds and long exposures to the sun! I am a 40 something fair skinned, blonde hair and blue eyed female and had a melanoma diagnosis. I go for yearly skin checks and my melanoma was like Michelle’s, thankfully caught early! ! Mine was on my thigh and I had a biopsy and then was referred by my dermatologist to an esthetics surgeon for removal. It is scary stuff!! My incision was about the length of Michelle’s. They cut deep to remove it all and thankfully no lymph nodes in the groin, as he thought possibly needed. Nothing more than the surgery of removal, also grateful for! I have a-typical mole syndrome and the the fact of light skin, blonde and blue eyes puts me at a higher risk. My dermatologist has now bumped up my skin checks to every 6 months and encouraged self photos of any areas of concern. * We know our bodies best, so watch things and have help with areas we can’t see or photograph. Do research on the facts and educate yourself, there are great websites available, not to scare you; but to help us learn. It is scary, however the best chance for survival is early detection! !! Stay healthy my friends
Agree 100%! I think the most important thing is to self check as you said. We can’t undo what we may have done in the past. I’m so glad I had my mole checked. Don’t ever ignore a mole assuming it’s fine. And go to a dermatologist. I’ve been lucky that my first mole with melanoma has so far been my only one. Thanks for the reminder again, Jennifer!
Please have your bodies checked. Please talk to your family and friends about getting their bodies checked. I had a mole removed from my left shoulder in 2009, came back as melanoma, had to go back in and remove more area and 6 lymph nodes under my armpit, everything is fine. We caught it. Fast forward to February 2017, I’m having trouble breathing, coughing, I keep thinking I have bronchitis, dr says no your lungs are clear. Finally I get a chest X-ray and there is a 4cm mass in my lung. Had to get a biopsy, the melanoma has returned. I went thru immunotherapy and the mass shrunk a great deal. I also had a few small one on my lymph nodes. Now it is November I have had 8 brain tumors that I had to have cyber knife done on, I had a tumor on n my colon, one on my stomach. I am taking a new combo of chemo pills, it’s a rough, rough road. But I am going to fight through it!!
So sorry for everything you’ve gone through. A great reminder to stay vigilant even if you’ve been clear for years. I make sure to get my check every 6 months and I have anything checked out that I’m uncomfortable with. Sending healing vibes your way!
I urge you ladies to be extra vigilant caring for your skin. I am Scottish with typical Scottish pale skin, green eyes and reddish/blonde hair. My parents emigrated to Australia in 1969. I was a teenager that year and enjoyed the likes of Bondi beach. But I did not tan. I went red, skin peeled like an orange, and boy was I sore.
Forward to 2017 February. I am dying of one of the worst cancers. Melanoma! It started in my right eye in 2007. I lost my eye became blind almost overnight. I wear an acrylic eye that unless I told you you would have no clue it is false. It is such a great match. I have had the latest treatments, immunotheraphy but to no avail. I have had radiation, it has given me some time. But only so many blasts of radiation one csn have.
I am not in any pain thank God. I have a wonderful Oncologist here in Australia. I decided not to know how much longer I have to live. I just make everyday count. I am now 63. I have ten grandchildren and two children.
I have even been asked if I could return to Scotland ti the cooler climes to live. This is not possible.
I do hope my story will resonate with you. Even if only one person changes their ways in regard to being out in the sun. Here in Australua many years ago we had a slogan on the t.v. Slip Slop Slap. Slip on clothes that give you prtotection. Slop on Sunscreen the highest factor and reapply often. Slap on a hat. A wide brimmed hat that will cover your neck and face. These are good measures.
Thank you and Gof bless.
Moyra Gaunt. Australia.
Thank you for sharing your story, Moya. Yes, prevention is definitely the best way to avoid it. I know my habits have changed tremendously since my Melanoma scare.
Enjoy your family and making every day count! It’s a good way to live!
Hi Michelle, Sorry to hear about this & glad everything is ok. Scary that the family dr. didn’t think it was anything. Wishing you the best! Glad you were being proactive & went. All my best! Theresa
Moyra is my mum she passed away yesterday 16/3/18 after her long battle with melanoma
Nicole So sorry to hear your mom lost her battle with melanoma. Please be the melanoma warrior in your family and all ten grandchildren. Tans are not beautiful if they take love ones away from us. I am fighting my own battle with melanoma. am also a pale blond with blue eyes. In my family, I am first but fear I am not the last to fight this battle.
It was basically just left open and I had to do all sorts of things to get it to close up – peroxide on it, we had to buy a special bandage at the end. It was so fun – NOT! I think it took over 2 months for it to close completely.
My family doc didn’t think it was anything either, but he biopsied it and it came back as melanoma, so yes, a dermatologist is better trained at scoping them out.
Oh, my .. what a scary ordeal. I should probably have a few spots checked myself. Most of which I think is just sun spots, but ya never know.
Monica
Michelle- Thank you for posting. Over the past year, I have noticed a lot of changes with my skin. Particularly, increase in freckles and spots and growths/moles in a multitude of different places. A few months ago, I asked my family physician about them and he said they were no big deal and the result of sun exposure. After reading you post, I will be scheduling an appointment to see a dermatologist. Thanks again.
Keri! Yes, do go. That’s what happened with me too. My family doctor didn’t think it was anything and I went to the dermatologist because I was taking my teens there and figured what the heck. Better safe than sorry.
Thank you Michele, For letting us know what you have gone through, I have had a mole on my back for a very long time, I want to say I watched your movie on what you do for your kids, and all you do and have done. I thank God their are parents like the 2 of you. Love from Aunt RoseMarie
So glad you caught it early! Melanoma runs high in my family. We have had two deaths from it. My mother had it a few years back and successfully recovered from it. I just had a couple biopsies myself. One was a maturing spot and the other had a typical characteristics, so they went in and cut around it. Just a couple of stitches. I’m thankful it wasn’t the worst case scenario. Take care of yourself. Thanks for sharing your story!
So glad your personal story & your mother’s were happy. Sorry for the 2 deaths. I found out after I had mine that my grandfather had Melanoma much like mine where it was caught early. My mom had forgotten about it. He’s been dead for 25 years. So, this all definitely changes things for me. Thank you for sharing your story!
We continue to have things in common! I have had 2 melanomas & 1 squamous removed. Your site looks really good! My 1st one was large enough they couldn’t stitch it up. The 2nd one was close to the 1st – so it makes for a pretty big scar.
LOL! Good thing we spell our names differently! 😀 So, what did they do if they couldn’t stitch it up? I’ve read that spots like birthmarks can be high for melanoma and I have a large one on my arm, so I wondered what they would do if did become Melanoma.