The power of SEVEN

What's seven? Seems like a relatively small number. But it's huge when it refers to lives. 7 lives. That's how many people (that I'm aware of) have been diagnosed with some form of skin cancer because of my story. They heard my story and got their skin checked just to be safe. Their whole life changed because of that. 

These 7 people are the whole reason I started this blog. To make people aware. I never understood how serious skin cancer was until that horrible day I sat in the doctors office. I waited too long. There were so many signs and I ignored them all. So if I'm going to have this awful cancer I wanted to make sure I did everything in my power to educate people on skin cancer. It's not "just" skin cancer. It is a aggressive, fast spreading and preventable cancer.

I have had so many friends and family go get checked recently. Bravo to all of you. It makes me so proud when people ask me about sun screens, or tell me they've stopped tanning, or tell me they got a skin check. Thank you for making my battle not be in vain. Thank you for taking me seriously. 

You don't have to be a recluse. You can go out and enjoy the sun. Just be sun smart. Not sun stupid. One word my friends... Sun screen. Take charge. Be smart. Educate yourself. 

... And if you don't... Well I will see if you can get a room next to me at the hospital for chemo. Cuz that's where you have a HUGE chance of ending up. And no matter what you think, not even a tan makes chemo look good. 

Va-cay

Such a long absence from blogging! I took a little vacation.. Not literally.. Just a brain vacation :) 

Totally unintentional, but so needed. After I finished up chemo I was exhausted. Mentally and physically. I got out of the hospital and pushed all thoughts of cancer out of my head. I focused on recovering and spending time with my family. After spending months of only thinking about all things cancer, it was a necessary thing for me to do to fully recover. I'm still not 100% yet. I get tired really easy, sometimes my body still hurts.. But I am now a survivor!!!!! 

Chemo was awful. I'm not going to sugar coat it. It's by far the worst thing I've ever done. I would never wish it on anyone. I am just so thankful for all the love and support I had during it. I had so many people doing so much for me that it still makes me emotional. Without all of you, I am not sure how I would have made it through it. Now I just pray everyday that I never have to go through it again. Cancer stay gone. I have too much living to do! 

So what does life hold for me now? I have scans every three months. This is to check for the return of melanoma. Melanoma is extremely unpredictable and spreads quickly. Sounds simple, but when you're in my shoes, it's living life three months at a time. It's sighing a breath of relief and then realizing it will be short lived. It's waiting for that phone call. It's constantly waiting for it all to come crashing down again. So I just breathe. I smile. I laugh. I focus on what's right in front of me and try as hard as I can to live for today. For this very moment. That's all you can do when you have melanoma calling your name. 

Life is good. It's stressful, chaotic, hard and down right awful sometimes. It's also incredible, surprising and wonderful at the same time. I cry tears of sadness often but find joy in those who wipe them. I'm terrified for the future but grow so much in the journey that is taking me there. So yes, life is good. It's plain lovely.