6.30.2010

On a more serious note . . .

Recently I had a couple of moles removed and one of them came back as Melanoma. Yeah, i was kind of shocked too. I am mostly writing this post to "inspire" or encourage any of you out there that have a mole that you have been concerned about or feel like you should get it checked but haven't, to go and get it checked.

I noticed this weird mole maybe a year or two ago and thought to myself i need to go get it checked. But not until recently did i make the call to a dermatologist. Thankfully for me my husband, who has a friend with a very serious case of Melanoma, made me make the call after learning how scary melanoma can be. I am so glad i went in when i did!

So I went in and had a full body scan by the dermatologist, and she noticed two moles that looked atypical, and would need to be tested. She removed those moles on a later date. This past friday i got the call from my Dermatologist telling me the results. I kind of knew it wasn't good news since it was her and not her nurse or something. She told me one of the moles was Melanoma and i would need to go see a Surgical Oncologist to have more tests and surgery done on the site.

When i got that call i was in shock and couldn't believe it,  i have cancer. . . . It was very humbling and i immediately had a different perspective on life, and how precious every moment is. I didn't know how bad it was and i didn't know what it all meant i was just scared. That day i was lucky enough to get to go to my wards Rough Out Camp at my parents cabin to get my mind off everything.

On the drive home i had plenty of time to think about everything. I had this weird feeling like when you have a strange dream that just makes you feel weird all day. That is how i felt, like it was all a dream. So I told myself that i didn't want to be sad or scared, i didn't want the cancer (if there was any cells left in my body) to feed off the fear. So i told myself i had to be positive and own it, take control, and for some strange reason it worked. My brain won't go to that place anymore, it won't let me think of the awful outcomes that might be. So I have been just fine and really have enjoyed my life so much since hearing the news.

Today i went to see Dr. Noyse to learn more about what is going on and what is going to happen. He told me that i have a Stage 1B melanoma. Which means i have to go in and get another surgery in the same site to take out a lot more skin to make sure there are no more cancer cells in the area. They also have to go in and take out the sentinel nodes to make sure the cancer hasn't spread to my lymph nodes. If those two surgeries come back negative (no cancer cells) i am good and will just have to go to a dermatologist every 4 months for 3 years then every 6 months for 2 years. If the skin comes back with cancer cells in it they will go in and take out more until they get a clean result. If the nodes have cancer in them, i will have to get body scans to see if there are any signs of tumors anywhere else in my body.

I am going to get these surgeries done next Wednesday and will know the results Friday.

I am honestly telling you all of this not for sympathy because i really feel positive, but to hopefully encourage you to get any moles checked by a dermatologist that you might think looks weird or different. I would also love your prayers! i am really praying that after the surgeries everything will come back negative!

I hope you don't think i am weird for posting this on my blog, i just wanted all of you to be aware, and i want all of your prayers and i feel like this is a good place to let you all know.

20 comments:

amanda james said...

Lacey I'm so so sorry. That is the craziest thing I've ever heard. You are totally an inspiration because Cub and I always find weird moles on each other but now we're going to go see a dermatologist because of you. Please keep us posted on the outcomes of your tests, and I'm so glad that you caught it this early. You're such a positive person, and of course you're taking this like you are.

The Harpers said...

We will definitely keep you in our prayers Lacey. Thank you for sharing.

Annie said...

What a scary experience, but I'm glad that you are able to keep positive thoughts. I'll definitely keep you in my prayers.

Unknown said...

Lacey I don't even know what to say. I love you, you will get through this. Everything will work out for the best. You and your family will be in my prayers no doubt.

Love you friend.

JenSwen said...

Oh my goodness Lacey! We will pray for you! Thank you for sharing, and your positive attitude is inspiring. I'm making an appointment with a dermatologist soon!

JD and Lindsay said...

Lacey I am so proud of you for being so positive. You will be in my prayers. Stay strong!

heidikins said...

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! I had to go through this whole process when I was 19 (I also had melanoma that had to be cut out) and I know how scary it can be. I'm so glad you've found some peace of mind, please make sure to keep me updated on how this goes!

xox

pinksuedeshoe said...

Lacey, you have such an incredible attitude and outlook on your life. I am so glad that you have peace and hope instead of fear. I'll keep you in my prayers, and know that we love you!

Melanie said...

oh that is scary. I'll definitely keep you in my prayers. So glad you caught it early. Hang in there!

Rachel and Josh said...

Lacey I hope everything goes well!! We all love you! You'll most definitely be in our prayers :) Thanks for the positive outlook, it makes me want to be more positive in my own life.

McCall B. said...

Wow. I love you Lace-face. Please keep us posted on what they find. I am making an appointment for Steve and I TODAY to go see a dermatologist. I can't believe you didn't mention anything when I was with you the other day!
Love you lots!

Sarah M said...

lacey! so scary and so glad you shared. our prayers will definitely be with you. nick and i have been talking about going to the derm lately but we haven't done anything about it. consider something done.

lauren ann said...

Lace this is crazy!! Im so glad you caught it in the earlier stages. Im glad you mentioned it bc Mike has some CRAZY moles, and we just have gotten around to checking them out. Im making and appt. We'll be thinking about you and sending our prayers your way

{littlefam} said...

lacey! you are in our thoughts and prayers! please keep us updated as you find out more and please let me know what i can do for you - i live so close! i can watch your kiddos or anything!

The Flint's said...

Goodness Gracious!! I'm shocked but am so glad that you got it checked out before it got worse. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Keep us updated... lots of love and prayers your way!!

The Flint's said...
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Allison said...

I am thinking about you and praying for you Lace.

Love you

mary said...

Lacey you are in out thoughts and prayers. I have my dermatalogy appt. scheduled! I hope all is well.

Sara said...

I just heard about everything Lacey. I can't believe it! Now I'm thinking I should go get mine checked out too. Jenny had to go up to Huntsman too last year for a mole that came back positive for Melanoma. Thinking of you and praying for the best:)

Bry and Amb said...

Lacey,
My name is Amber - one of your old roommates, Emily, is also one of my friends. She told me about you because I am also going through the same thing right now. I had 3 moles removed. All 3 came back as cancer, but only 2 were Melanoma. Your post is inspiring and it definitely helps to be positive, doesn't it? I'm sorry if this is weird - me commenting. I just wanted to wish you luck with everything.