How I Found Out I Had Cancer | Melanoma

How I found out I had cancer, how I reacted, and how I was referred to an oncologist. I'm sharing my story for others looking for stories from everyday people. I'm a mom of 2 and this cancer diagnosis hit my hard and upended my life. Emotions are real and I want to share them. You aren't alone if you too have been diagnosed with melanoma.
#melanoma #cancer
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[@lisadearing5960]

When I started my new job about 8 years ago, I noticed a huge black mole on a lady’s arm. It was the size of my thumbnail! I had worked at a doctor’s office for 18 years prior to my new job. I finally got the nerve to speak to her about it. She was very friendly and open to my concerns. Got a call from her a few weeks later saying I saved her life! It was definitely melanoma! After the surgery, she has a nasty scar but she’s just thankful to be alive! I told her maybe the reason I was hired at the job was to be there for her! 🙂

[@MelanomaMom]

Wow! That’s amazing. That took courage to say something to a stranger. 🩷🩷🩷

[@mea1831]

1. Many Melanoma ARE flat 2. If your results take 2.5 weeks, run. Ours take 24-48 hours. 3. Just because something has been there “forever” doesn’t mean it’s not Melanoma. 4. If you are diagnosed with Melanoma, your children are at a higher risk, so make sure you educate them.

[@CandycaneBeyond]

I think insurance companies should make this part of our yearly prevention that's covered.

[@MelanomaMom]

Agree!

[@sandyjohnson5111]

Yeah, I agree. $60.00 for initial visit. Some spots were sprayed with some kind of stuff that froze it. Have to go back one month later, to check those spots. Another $60.00. To put in perspective, $60.00 is about 3 hours of working on my salary.

[@colleendemaio]

You have such a geniune and likeable energy. I don't know why this was recommended to me but I found myself invested in your story as if this was happening to a friend. I wish you well.

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for clicking and listening to my story. ❤️

[@pianomusic4church471]

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you thanked your gynecologist! She probably saved your life! I was just diagnosed with superficial spreading melanoma yesterday. Not sure what to expect. They are supposed to call me with a plan of action next week! Say a prayer and i will do likewise for you as well! Good luck to you.

[@MelanomaMom]

I thanked her multiple times. 💕 I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Saying a prayer for you now. Waiting for answers and a plan is very difficult. I’ve been exactly where you are. This is a very helpful and knowledgeable community. If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

[@lauramau2530]

I had a melanoma on my upper arm also. I think it was about 10 years ago or so. I found it myself. It wasn’t even a mole, it was just an oval grayish pinkish blotch that I noticed in the mirror one day. It had never been there before. Mine was a stage zero, thankfully, which my dermatologist told me right away on the phone. So I didn’t go through that horrible fear cycle as much. He removed it in his office and that was it. I do have a pretty good scar and an indentation where it was. Small price to pay. Now I just go for skin checks every year and I haven’t had a melanoma since then!

[@MelanomaMom]

So glad to hear you haven’t had anymore in 10 years. And glad to hear that you keep up with your yearly skin checks.

[@romankudryavcevshow]

So happy for you! Wish you a great health!

[@karenashton5053]

I’ve been having checks for 30 years. Pale, blonde, 61 and horrid burns as a young child. So far so good and I’ve been wearing sunscreen for 40 years.

[@MelanomaMom]

That’s wonderful news. Sounds like you’ve established good sun protection habits.

[@bioshawna]

Thank you for sharing your story ❤ prayers and good vibes. Hoping for a happy and clear future for you and your family.

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you so much!

[@CrystalWhomeva]

June 28th I got diagnosed with stage 2A melanoma. My mole was on my upper arm as well. My first oncology appointment is July 28th. I have to get a wide excision done and my lymph nodes checked. Hopefully it hasn't spread which would make me stage 3 or 4. Thank you so much for your channel! :)

[@MelanomaMom]

The 28th is coming soon. I know you’ll be happy to get melanoma out of you. I’m sorry you have it. Praying it hasn’t spread to your lymph nodes. The waiting is the hardest.

[@artsyfartsyme]

Wow.. scary. So glad you did go to the doctor to get checked! I’m happy you are doing better now.

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you! My eyes were certainly opened by how poorly I was actually using sunscreen. It’s definitely been a journey this past year of unlearning bad habits of mine. I’m so glad you found my channel.

[@ToddAutry]

Glad to be watching this. Thank you

[@MelanomaMom]

Thanks for listening to my story Todd 💛

[@elizabethconroy7665]

Lovely to see you back again What a journey you have been on Thank goodness the Gynecologist was smart Looking very healthy Hope you stay that way It’s true we women put ourselves on the Back Burner Thanks for sharing

[@MelanomaMom]

Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for watching this one. I’m certainly going to thank that doctor when I visit her again for my yearly exam.

[@Michelle-hz6yx]

Hi Shawn, I’m so glad your Gynaecologist recommended you to see a Dermatologist! Your word of intention for 2021 was meant to be! I’m so glad you put your health first! Haha…that’s so true! Goggle full body skin check! They really do check you from head to toe! 😅 Also I was told…don’t wear nail polish to your skin check as Melanomas can be found in your nails! The fear cycle is awful. Totally understand. 🖤

[@MelanomaMom]

Hi Michelle! I always have to time my nail polish application around my dermatologist visits. 🤦‍♀️

[@gingerjoy5836]

Such a great explanation, thank you. So thankful you are ok. You’re daughter is adorable, you’re a great Mom🙌🏼🩷

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you so much for saying such kind words. 🩷

[@gingerjoy5836]

You’re welcome 🩷

[@vickichadwick7508]

Thank you for sharing your story so important! I had a squamous cancer on my neck removed I thought it was a wart initially…was so surprised to find out it was a skin cancer. Best wishes to you and your family!

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for watching and sharing a bit of your cancer experience. ❤️

[@colleenwilliams1452]

I’ve had a squamous cell on the side of my nose which required a skin graft. Basal cell on my neck and melanoma on the top of my arm. I have discovered another melanoma on my back. We are a family of red heads and very white skin.

[@joanneniedermayer6662]

Hi ...I just came across your video tonight ,April 3/24 and I have gone through the same as you ,malignant Melanoma on my left upper arm .I had the surgery to remove it Oct.20/23 and a lot of biopsies etc. leading up to that ...I can relate to all the crying 😭 I don't want to leave my children and grandchildren (I am 69 yrs. Old) I just had another one removed from the same arm,2inches over from the scar ,very painful,and as you know it's all extremely emotional. I noticed it says your video is old so I am wondering how you are doing now ,my thoughts and prayers are with you .Thank-you for sharing

[@MelanomaMom]

Hi Jo Anne! Thanks for commenting your experience with melanoma. I’m so sorry you are going through this dreadful disease too. I’m 3 years cancer free but have continued to have numerous pre cancer removed. Having melanoma definitely changed my life but time has been helpful. The rollercoaster emotions do get better as time moves on. Saying a prayer for you now and sending you vibes. ❤️

[@jackymossman6383]

WHAT A GORGEOUS, VERY GOOD LITTLE DAUGHTER YOU HAVE

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you. She is a delight. ❤️

[@jackymossman6383]

THANK YOU!

[@jeannievicaire4303]

I'm 52. I got really sick two years ago. Pain in my abdomen and bloating. My tummy swelled to forty sum inches around. I looked 8 months pregnant. I finally went on an ambulance. Four hours later I found out I had ovarian cancer, and he said my lungs were involved. Well I ended up with ovarian and stomach cancer. I have tiny tumors in my lungs n a chain link of tumors in my neck. Its like A death sentence when you first hear it. Depressed and oh yes, paralyzed by fear. I get anxiety often. I feel like I need to go in the woods and scream. There's A huge scream always on the edge of coming out. I still freak out every other day. Its so hard.

[@MelanomaMom]

Oh wow I can’t even imagine what you are going through. Thank you for sharing with me. The anxiety and fear that comes with cancer is unbearable at times. Praying for you right now.

[@jeannievicaire4303]

You explained it so well when you said " paralyzed by fear,"

[@marilynmckenzie2111]

I was so glad I came join your video today. In Jan I was concerned about 2 strange white/ pink spots and saw my family’s doctor. Because 1 was on my shin bone on my right leg over a large vein( the other was in my mid upper back, he referred me to a surgeon.he removed them and stitched them and my follow up visit the I was told I was all clear there. I have since remembered a few I have on the back of my right leg for several years. I have picked off the tops but they come back. I also have one on my right shoulder beside a scar from an operation I had years ago to remove some bone chips. I also finally picked off that spot about 3/4” long but it is coming back. It was a light brown in colour. Before January, I had never thought about skin cancer. I had a skin doctor burn off 6 spots on my back about 10 yrs ago. She said they were not cancer, I just didn’t like them there. BUT, now that you are advising to get a full body skin check, I will be calling the Dermatologist next week. PS I am a red-haired,fair skin with light freckles . I have stayed out of the sun in the last 10 years as my face skin was still not wrinkled. So. Thank you for your advice and I will follow up with your videos. Cheers 👏🏻🧑🏻‍🦰🇨🇦

[@MelanomaMom]

Welcome to my channel. Yes a full body skin check with a dermatologist is my recommendation. My first one ever they found my melanoma. Have them biopsy every spot the concerns you. ❤️

[@meritabuff741]

Will remember u and others in my prayers🙏🙏🙏🎚️

[@jackymossman6383]

THANK YOU FOR TELLING US IN DETAIL WHAT THE MOLE LOOKED LIKE, COLOUR, EDGES & WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE AGAINST YOUR OTHER MOLES. APPRECIATE THAT !

[@MelanomaMom]

You’re welcome. It’s so difficult, I think, to identify skin cancer because everyone’s can look so different.

[@makeupbyjeannine]

This is what scares me. All the spots that I was told were find all ended up being skin cancer. Luckily all basal cell and not melanoma. But I’m always scared I have melanoma and don’t know it.

[@MelanomaMom]

I understand the fear. I try not to think about it daily and just focus on taking care of my skin and making it to my dermatologist appointments. I’m sorry you had multiple basal cell. My dad has those two. Cancer in any form is scary. Hugs ❤️

[@jenwhitehead4092]

I wish I could share this with my friend. She just cant talk about it. X

[@odetteinnewy4437]

Thankyou for your video

[@MelanomaMom]

You’re welcome. ❤️

[@jeannievicaire4303]

I had to also hear all this alone during covid. My surgery alone. I had a full hysterectomy, they cut tumors out of my stomach . I got Chemo before surgery and after surgery. Radiation for six weeks . then I had the strongest Chemo going for about 9 treatments. Now I'm on A maintenance treatment until march. I'll get a catscan at that time. That's when we'll figure out what we're going to do from there. Every three months I'm anxiety ridden. Because I get a catscan every three months. This drives me insane. Its so scary. I have to hear results every three months. Omg let me tell ya, I'm terrified

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for sharing. You’ve been through it! I can’t imagine what you are going through but I’m praying for you right now. 💛

[@GUITARTIME2024]

So sorry you are going through this.

[@Irishgrl59]

Hey Shawn know the feeling I was the same way I just happened to stumble on mine I wentbto go get my haircut so I always go home and look in the mirror of the back and there it was it was big and dark didn't even know it was there who looks at their back it was on the left side on my shoulder blade but they tested it came back melanoma too had to havevsurgetybso I have to do body checks now it is so frustrating sometimes everytime you get a new mole i have new ones everyday so prayers to you ❤

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[@colleenwilliams1452]

I’ve had melanoma on my left arm. One dr said it was nothing and another dr said it was. After a biopsy I had surgery on my arm cutting it to the bone. Now I have another on my back.

[@MelanomaMom]

I’m sorry you are having to deal with another melanoma. ❤️

[@EV-rc4jm]

Thank you for sharing your story, God bless you heart!!!

[@mawmawshomesteadpreparedness]

I had melanoma several years ago in a very private area. The doctor sent me to a dermatologist who removed it and sent it to a lab. Scheduled me for a follow up appointment in 2 weeks. About 3 days later she called me and scheduled me for the next week and told me it was melanoma. She examined the area and it was starting to come back so she did another biopsy and then sprayed it (froze it). I went for 12 visits with her spraying/freezing the area. Haven't had any problems since, but I do need to go see a dermatologist. I asked the determinist why/how that area has melanoma because it definitely isn't exposed to sun and she people get melanoma anywhere on the body (skin) and that although the area mine was at is rare, other people have had it there. I found out people have had melanoma inside their ears, under toe nails and even bottom of feet. I have really deep scar tissue over a lot of my body, so she said that might be why I got it where it was.

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. We have another viewer who also had melanoma in a very private area. Thank you for reminding us that melanoma can show up in areas untouched by the sun.

[@sheraria]

I had a patient as a nurse who told me her 40 yr old son passed away due to melanoma and they never found the primary site. 😢

[@elizabethconroy7665]

Beautiful daughter

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you! She’s such a light in my life.

[@ashleythomsak2297]

I too call myself a vampire 😂 💕thank goodness for your doctor’s recommendation and your intentional word ‘health’ which should remain your word always

[@MelanomaMom]

Vampires unite 🖤 welcome to my channel. I am thankful every day that I decided to focus on my health.

[@brianamanns3730]

I just left the dermatologist for a mole check and they used the dermtech sticker on one of my suspicious moles I have. I am so so nervous. I have a 14 month old and I’m 18 weeks pregnant currently:( it’s so hard not to be terrified.

[@MelanomaMom]

It is completely understandable and normal to feel terrified during the waiting period. Focus on just breathing as that can be hard to remember to do. Sending up prayers for you.

[@michelegrosskopf1205]

Hello I’m also extremely terrified. I received news that one of my moles that had a sticker test is positive. Still waiting for dr to call me back since I missed her call this past Friday. I’m so scared!!!!! Need lots of prayers!

[@MelanomaMom]

@michelegrosskopf1205 praying for you right now. Waiting is awful. I’ve been there.

[@michelegrosskopf1205]

@@MelanomaMom Ty so much! I am still in shock! I really appreciate the response ❤️

[@bioshawna]

​@@michelegrosskopf1205I hope everything works out 🙏🏻🥺 my gram had squamous cell carcinoma in her cervix, which they still don't really understand how she got it there... she did chemo got the all clear and it came back a few years later, but she was 83. Praying your results will be ok.

[@bettymeow9764]

I have a lot of moles, just the smaller ones, but I have a couple of larger ones. About a week ago I was going for a shower and caught my reflection in the mirror. I got a flash of a mole on my lower back (that I don't usually see) and I was like, what the hell is THAT, it was my mole. I noticed that this mole which has always been brown and raised from the skin, well the raise bit is now pink/flesh colour, and there is a brown edge around it which is flat on the skin. It almost looks like it has bled out and lost colour in the center of it. The edges are all jagged and uneven. I now have a referral to see a dermatologist. I am not too worried about it, though it is really weird how it has changed. I have been trying to find images of moles that look like mine and I could only find one that looked similar. It is really weird.

[@MelanomaMom]

Praying your mole comes back noncancerous. Glad to hear you are getting it checked out. When in doubt, cut it out. My melanoma didn’t look like other pictures I found either which is one reason why I don’t post pictures on this channel. Melanoma seems to look different on everyone.

[@bettymeow9764]

@@MelanomaMom Thank you. I am a bit scared actually, because people close to me who I have shown have said it does not look good at all. That is the only reason I am getting it checked, I am a grown adult but my mother said she will literally drag me to the dermatologist and force me to get a skin check. Lol. I am very nervous to get a skin check as I am shy, and it makes me uncomfortable to have to have a doctor look over my body. I know that sounds silly, but it makes me nervous. At least when it is all done, I won't have it in my mind 24/7.

[@MelanomaMom]

Completely understandable to be shy and anxious for a skin check. I too am extremely shy and I’ve birthed 2 kids. Having a stranger look at my skin every 6 months is still difficult for me. But you’ve got this. Best to get it looked at and get answers. Sending prayers your way. When is your appointment?

[@bettymeow9764]

@@MelanomaMom Sorry I did not see your reply until now. I had my appointment yesterday. It was really hard for me to do. I had a full body check and had to have full body images. Made me really feel ugly having to be seen in my underwear. I have to have 4 moles taken out. Two are just starting to act naughty. One is starting to look suspicious with unusual colour change etc. The one I'm worried about that looks really crazy is having a scoop removal and going off to be tested for melanoma. I'm going back in two weeks to have them removed / tested.

[@MelanomaMom]

Im so sorry you had to go through that. Skin checks are the worst! Praying your spot comes back benign.

[@tracymcgrath1192]

I hope you don’t suffer. Not fair. Sneaky cancer ❤

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for your kind words. I am currently cancer free.

[@wololeiro2364]

You seem sweet

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you. I try.

[@jaxkaty]

Having a hard time hearing you over the birds!!

[@LorindaSmith-po1ts]

Hey my friend. Remember that Jesus loves you. Amen ❤😢

[@wololeiro2364]

You look 30

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you! I'll happily look 12 years younger than I am.

[@Lyn4817]

You definitely don't look your age.

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you if you are saying I look younger than my age. 🤗

[@Lyn4817]

@@MelanomaMom Yes indeed.

[@williamthomson638]

Too long