Melanoma Awareness Month - Beyond Tiki

Z Zaya Tiki Socialite San Diego, CA Joined: Jun 06, 2006 Posts: 209	Z Zaya Posted posted on Tue, May 15, 2012 10:53 AM Mike, it means so much to me that you continue to keep everyone aware of the importance of always wearing sunscreen, and getting regular skin checks at the doctor. I grew up in Southern California and spent practially my whole childhood at the beach, and out in the sun. I endured countless sunburns through those years since we didn't really have sunscreen back then. As a teenager though, and ever since I've worn sunscreen daily in hopes of preventing sun damage. I also made it a habit since my early 20's to ask my doctor for a skin check at my yearly exams. Thank God I did too because last August I was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma on the top of my left ear. It was already very agressive, and spreading fast so they scheduled me for surgery right away. I underwent two different surgeries, one to remove the top of my ear, have 3 sentinal lymph node biopsies done, and reconstruction where they grafted my ear to my the side of my head and had to heal for 6 weeks. Then the second surgery was to finish the reconstruction. Even after the surgeries were done I still had to wait for the biopsy results, and Thank God my prayers were answered because I found out that I was cancer free! I have to see the dermatologist every 3 months now, and continually have more biopsies each time. It seems crazy that all that sundamage as a kid is coming out in my body now at the age of 42, but I'm so thankful to be under a close watchful eye with my doctor. I'll never forget my doctor telling me that if I hadn't found the Melanoma when I did I would have been gone within a year. I have an almost 13 year old son that means the world to me, and I'm looking forward to having my whole life ahead of me now! Early detection is the key so everyone please get your skin checked! Wear sunscreen, hats, and keep covered if you can. Mike, I think of Leslie all the time as she has been such an inspiration to me. She lost her battle only a few weeks before I started mine, and she continues to bring me strength and encouragement in reading her blog. I also have to say that you have been so incredibly supportive of me through my experience, and I'm forever grateful and thankful to call you my friend. Lots of Love, Christina

Mike, it means so much to me that you continue to keep everyone aware of the importance of always wearing sunscreen, and getting regular skin checks at the doctor.

I grew up in Southern California and spent practially my whole childhood at the beach, and out in the sun. I endured countless sunburns through those years since we didn't really have sunscreen back then. As a teenager though, and ever since I've worn sunscreen daily in hopes of preventing sun damage. I also made it a habit since my early 20's to ask my doctor for a skin check at my yearly exams. Thank God I did too because last August I was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma on the top of my left ear. It was already very agressive, and spreading fast so they scheduled me for surgery right away. I underwent two different surgeries, one to remove the top of my ear, have 3 sentinal lymph node biopsies done, and reconstruction where they grafted my ear to my the side of my head and had to heal for 6 weeks. Then the second surgery was to finish the reconstruction. Even after the surgeries were done I still had to wait for the biopsy results, and Thank God my prayers were answered because I found out that I was cancer free!

I have to see the dermatologist every 3 months now, and continually have more biopsies each time. It seems crazy that all that sundamage as a kid is coming out in my body now at the age of 42, but I'm so thankful to be under a close watchful eye with my doctor. I'll never forget my doctor telling me that if I hadn't found the Melanoma when I did I would have been gone within a year. I have an almost 13 year old son that means the world to me, and I'm looking forward to having my whole life ahead of me now!

Early detection is the key so everyone please get your skin checked! Wear sunscreen, hats, and keep covered if you can.

Mike, I think of Leslie all the time as she has been such an inspiration to me. She lost her battle only a few weeks before I started mine, and she continues to bring me strength and encouragement in reading her blog. I also have to say that you have been so incredibly supportive of me through my experience, and I'm forever grateful and thankful to call you my friend.

Lots of Love,
Christina

Post #636598 by Zaya on Tue, May 15, 2012 10:53 AM