How I Discovered I had Skin Cancer: Jennifer's Melanoma Story | The Patient Story

[@gj9736]

Thanks for sharing and I am sorry for your diagnosis. I am a senior women who used to love the outdoors in my young years with lots of swimming, riding horses, hiking, camping and just enjoying myself even later when I was married. I had many sunburns in my life because of my activities and always had a tan during the summer months, thinking that a tan was looking “healthy” and the sun was “good” for me because that’s what I was told when I was young growing up in Germany. I moved to Texas at age 21 and continued my outdoor activities not knowing what I was setting myself up for later on in my life. In 2017 I had 2 melanomas removed, back to back, one on my neck and one on my forearm, both of them were like your later melanoma, a melanoma Insitu or what they call a melanoma zero. A few months ago I had another one removed behind my right knee and I was told that more will be coming because I already had 3 of them. Melanoma Insitu or melanoma zero IS a melanoma except it has not yet spread to the dermis but it is definitely a melanoma as I was told at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston which I live close to. I get checked every 5 to 6 months but I actually never make it that far because a pre cancer seems to show up on me quite often before my skin check. My back is covered with actinic keratosis from all my sun expose and my arms and legs are now starting the same direction, I have “age spots” on my face as well which are nothing more but to much sun when I was younger. I now watch my skin like a hawk and if I see anything out of the ordinary I call my doctor right away to get it checked out, I avoid the sun like the plague, wear a wide brimmed hat and not a baseball cap because it won’t protect your neck, ears and the rest of your face. I wear sunscreen from Elta as recommended by MD Anderson, you have to re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours, I wear clothing from Coolibar and never go without sunglasses. I still get checked by a OBGYN even at my age because you can get mucosal melanoma in your private area inside and out which is very difficult to treat, you also can get melanoma in your eyes in which case you will lose your eye. You can get melanoma anywhere inside and outside on your body, Under your nails and on the sole of your foot, even between your toes! Suntan beds are skin cancer beds and should be avoided at all cost because the literally fry you like a chicken! Remember that the sun is not our friend, believe me I have the scars to proof it! I wish you the best of health, cancer free! ☺️

[@ralphiesmom2]

What a profound evaluation of this horrible experience. The mental health issues explored here are important. Thank you, Jennifer. I needed to hear this as a caregiver of a Stage 4 patient.

[@Maddy_B]

Please remember to feel for internal (below the skin) bumps. My husbands came back a year later as an internal lump in his bicep & dr said it was nothing, but it was melanoma and he did over a year of immunotherapy. It all started with a mole a year earlier.

[@beverlyt.5526]

Jennifer I received the call today from my Dermatologist that my mole biopsy was moderate atypical. I'm going in for the wider deeper removal next week 🤞. Thank God I do self skin checks! My new faint mole was in the crease of my groin and didn't bother me at all. You explaining the lymph node procedure was very helpful! Stay Strong Gorgeous Lady 🩷✨, Hugs And Much Love From Western Upstate NY

[@debbieschultz106]

Whow, what a ride from a mole on your shoulder Hope you stay cancer free and definitely keep seeing your therapist.

[@psrwhite]

Jennifer as a cancer survivor I related to everything you said! Thank you for sharing your journey!!

[@beverlyt.5526]

Jennifer I learned so much, thank you! You are amazing, brave and gorgeous ❤! Praise God you spoke with your mother and started seeing a therapist 🙌. My dad and brother both committed suicide and it's horrific for those who love you! Always choose life and fight 🙏. Again thank you and God Bless You Always ❣️ Western Upstate NY Nurse here

[@californiadoll6273]

Wow this was a crazy interesting story. 1 of the best stories on the channel. This is the first time I've heard of any 1 person getting melanoma multiple times : O

[@sbee985]

You have done everything right! Proud of you! It will get better! I am stage 1 melanoma cancer survivor of 11 years with 0 dysplasias afterward. That first year after was full of worry and anxiety. Sounds like you have gotten the damaged areas off and will be good going forward! Praise!! I think my left back scapular area shoulder lesion was from a sunburn on an area of skin that typically doesn’t see sun. I prefer to wear a hat and sun overshirts more when outside than to put on sunscreen all the time. Love to walk in the Eve hrs without anything covering me! My melanoma was a brown raised mole with a pink area growing so not all are brown. Thank you for taking time to share!

[@susanzucker7674]

Do the smallest thing you can every day. That is the BEST advice.

[@cheryllove3030]

Thanks for sharing! I'm so glad you are staying on top of appointments and educating yourself and others! 🙏❣️

[@maviewavie2326]

Dear Jennifer, I was incredibly touched by your story. Thank you for sharing it. I am from Chicago.

[@Lupusandme]

You are incredibly brave ❤

[@teams3345]

I have had both Basil Cell and Squamish Cell procedures. It is terrifying to hear the c word. I now go at least twice a year to the Dermatologist. I am almost 63.

[@susanmiller8261]

Same with me. I'm headed to the dermatologist next week. I fear this time it is melanoma.

[@celestialcircledance]

Wow it sounds like that skin care paper you did a while back really saved your life . I thought I was going overboard with hats and good tip about avoiding the peak hours as well . I wonder why you're so susceptible .but even though it must feel very anxiety provoking and disrupting to your life , it sounds like you're doing a great job of staying cancer free and keeping on top of it !

[@dantimber]

So sorry for your ordeal. Very glad to hear your one year cancer free. Best to you!

[@brendapeschel4217]

How lovely to have such family support during this process ❤

[@susanmiller8261]

Thank you for sharing your story. All the information was very helpful as well. I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

[@Kapone27]

I was diag in 2014 with breast cancer lymph node positive. Then two years later acral lentiginous melanoma. I did chemo, dbl masect and 16 lymph nodes removed and endless surgeries. My surgery for melanoma was hands down the worst. Breast cancer you are treated by Drs and people so different. You are told what lays ahead and are guided along the way. Melanoma even medical professionals dont get what a beast it is. Of the two cancers melanoma scares me to my core. If people were informed just how deadly it is maybe they would listen more and not just think people cut it off and go on with life.

[@katedonovan-ni2bg]

I so relate to what you’ve said! I had melanoma on my shin. After surgery, I remember leaving the hospital, which was entirely dedicated to treating cancer patients, feeling guilty and thinking, “Why do *I* get to go home healthy when others don’t? Why me?”

[@Carol-sz3nr]

Excellent advice, wishing you all the very best

[@kimberlyherps8491]

Waiting on Biopsy Results now and this has been so helpful to here

[@SamAntics86]

I was diagnosed Sept 21 with t2a melanoma of the deltoid, and been going through this same bs ever since. It's a rollercoaster for sure. I also have constant surgeries for invasive and multiform bccs and precancerous spots every 3 months at my checks. It's difficult to see a future even with kids and a family... 🖤

[@leroydenson1169]

I just was told today that I have melanoma today. I am devastated. I have been trying to qualify for a kidney transplant and now this. I am such a burden to my wife, I know

[@holliesanders4220]

Oh honey.. I'm not done with the video yet, but I just had to reach out to u.

[@Coppellgirl]

If you ever need surgery again, ask for IV zofran. It helps the nausea while waking up.

[@b25mech]

🎉Were the other melanomas in the same area?

[@yvonnepeyton4291]

I feel like a burden at 52 years old and relatively homeless with aggression melanoma on my breast 😢

[@sarahryan6044]

I’m watching your video as I wait for a call from the pigmented lesion rapid response team. I went to my GP with two concerning moles on Friday and he is also quite concerned, I watched him type in the referral and when he marked it URGENT my heart sank. I am a 46 year old Mum of three and this should not be happening. I am praying so hard that they are nothing to worry about but deep down I know something is wrong. They are new moles and in all the research I’ve done this weekend I’ve read that you don’t tend to develop new moles over 40. Positive thoughts 🥹🥹💜💜

[@ryliwarnock4516]

How long can you have melanoma and not know?

[@dapperdoggy]

Hi , just got diagnosed with stage 1a melanoma. Didn't have sentinal lymph gland removal but did have the large skin removal. I know how you feel, it's very scary.

[@kimbanyc]

We need the parameters given here. What was the mitotic rate? What was the depth? What was the lymphocyte activity, present and brisk? There are so many necessary details. This is allllll so scary, but the details are so important. So sorry she fell into depression, but wow, so understandable.

[@michaelkensington2494]

How does it keep coming back when you havent been out in the skin?????

[@lelerussell3623]

Maybe the new stage 0 cancers were also a result of past damage and just grew slowly. Also, I have read that melanoma grows down into your skin and then Cancer cells can circulate through blood and lymph and can be dormant in the system. Sometimes they stay dormant/ asleep and sometimes they wake up and spread and cause new cancers.

[@janetbuder6066]

Thanks so much for sharing. I learned a lot. Can you or anyone on the site recommend a sunscreen clean from carcinogenic chemicals??? Thank you! Wishing you and everyone well! I had basal cell on my face s d shoulders in multiple locations as a 65 y o having didn't much childhood years in the sun Protect your skin!

[@splash6427]

🙏 ❤️ 🙏

[@Tracymcgrath-p3e]

Pet scan ?

[@Tracymcgrath-p3e]

❤❤❤🙏

[@widow237]

♥️

[@maryloufabbo8411]

Load on the sunscreen then use tanner.

[@purpleviolet2058]

💜💜💜

[@curiouscat3384]

Thnks for the testimonial. Did your illness affect your vocal chords? Your speech is VERY raspy as if your throat is constricting your oxygen. Next stop speech therapist?