This summer is off to a dizzying start! We have enjoyed spending time with Penny, playing outside on the playground or in the pool, or in the cul-de-sac with neighbors and their kids riding bikes with Penny. Family photos, which turned out great. A little movie time with Ashleigh. Fun stuff!
I used the time to schedule my annual physical, and my doctor checked out an unusual mole on my right shoulder that Ashleigh had noticed back in the spring. She referred me to a dermatologist who biopsied the site and it turned out to be a superficial spreading melanoma. The tumor had extended 1.3 mm down into my skin.
Today I met with a surgeon who will perform a wide area excision on the site to remove any potentially lingering melanocytes, and will do a sentinel lymph node biopsy to ensure the cancer hasn’t spread into my lymphatic system. He said the likelihood of that is low, but still worth checking. He also seemed very positive that the procedures would work out and that I’d be melanoma free afterwards. This has left my head reeling, and even though the outlook is good, I’m still feeling anxious about the whole thing.
Melanoma is such a weird and sneaky type of cancer. What looks like a mole on your skin can turn out to be so much more. I had never been to a dermatologist before, and I’m glad I took Ashleigh’s advice and got it checked out!
More info: American Cancer Society
