67 replies to this topic

[ski3pin]

Please pardon a little personal story and a serious subject.

I have melanoma. I believe that it has been caught early enough that it has been completely removed. I’m very positive about my survival. Melanoma is a bad brand of cancer to go shopping for. It likes to spread to your liver, lungs, and brain. These are organs that I want to function at their peak level just as long as possible.

I am a calm, patient, optimistic, and positive person. I get news like this and I want to know the next step, what are the best options. News like this, I have found out, scares the living crap out of friends and loved ones. Kind of makes me feel cared about and loved but also makes me feel a little like a heel for adding stress, worry, and concern to people I deeply care about.

I have learned much from melanoma.org. I have talked with professionals among my network of friends and associates. I’ve been doing my learning. They all tell me, “Thank god you caught it early!” I had a big patch taken out of my back and several spots removed. All the cutting has not been fun but is a very very small price to pay. “Wow, look a zipper!” and “Who put the load of buckshot in your back!” comments are great reminders how fun it is to be alive.

I am told that I am at low risk that the cancer has spread. My research confirms this. So the Lady can sleep at night, and that is a priority, we are going ahead with the next step to see if it has spread to the lymph nodes with a sentential node biopsy, just as a safety check.

I am sharing this because I will be a success story and I want you to be too. Learn about melanoma. Get those moles checked. Be diligent. Catch it early. There are too many adventures ahead for all of us. Let's stay around to enjoy them.

[5444]

We will keep you in our prayers^.

[Lighthawk]

We are holding good thoughts for you, Ski.
Thanks for sharing. I would guess most of us are at an age where health issues can trip us up. I appreciate your proactive example.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Yes Ski we all hold good thoughts for you.Hope all goes well in future tests.We need you out there to travel and give reports.
Frank

[DirtyDog]

Wow I hope the best for you! And thanks for sharing with us it's easy to get complacent about these things. You just might save a life!

[Ted]

Ski, Good of you to share with us. I am confident we will be camping together well into our old age.

[jcfly]

Thank you for posting this. My very best wishes to you for a complete and full recovery.

[Desert Rancher]

Yes, that is bad stuff.
I have a distant family member who has that behind his eye and will lose that sight. Don't know how you could ever get it there.

My dad always had those "spots" cut off of his back. He never wore a shirt in the desert sun - Called them "barnacles"...Also told me "it's hell to get old".


~DR

[highz]

Sending lots of positive thoughts your way, and I'll bet you are right that you are/will be a success story. I'll just repeat what others have already said - thanks for keeping us informed and educated about this serious subject.

[craig333]

I have a family history of skin cancers, all my uncles, my dad, have had cancerous lesions removed. Kind of makes me wish I could see my own back better. I try and see a dermatologist yearly just to be safe.

Glad to hear they got it all and got early. Scary stuff.