I posted more details at my melanoma site, but the basics are that Dr. L doesn’t know what is causing my pain and is sending me for a CT on Monday to figure it out. Could be another ovarian cyst, could be scar tissue, could be….well, who knows. We’ll just wait to see.

Now, if someone could hurry up and make decent tasting contrast, I’d be golden.

I’m on the Curvy Girl Guide today!!!  Come read my post and then stick around and read great posts from fabulous women!!

{Cross-posted @ Defying Melanoma}

One of my favorite things of all time – my whole life as long as I can remember – is laying in the sun. Since I was adopted, I’ll never know how much of my melanoma was caused by genetics and how much by that big yellow ball in the sky, not that it really matters.

Today, the boys were outside playing in the little pool next door with the neighbor kids.  We had a tent thing set up to keep the sun to a minimum and keep the adults in the shade.  I, of course, was slathered up with sunscreen and had a hat on.

At one point, I flopped backward on the beach towel I was sitting on and closed my eyes.

I was pretending to be laying in the sun.

How ridiculous is that?

For that brief moment in time, I was fully relaxed, imagining a life before melanoma.

I opened my eyes to the green of the tent instead of the blinding blue of the sky and sun.

I came inside, still pale.

one year

365 days

one biopsy, one diagnosis

one surgery, one recovery

another surgery, two scars more and another recovery

swelling, numbness and tingles

appointments, more appointments and additional appointments

no more cancer

(so far)

(the first 5 years after diagnosis are the most critical and most likely for recurrence)

(one year down)

Around here, the sun is finally making a regular appearance (well, except for today which is cloudy and rainy…) and people are starting to spend more time outside.  In the past 2 days, I’ve overheard no less than 5 people talking about how they got burned or got a nice start on their tan recently. A year ago, I would have been right there with them, pulling up my pant legs and sleeves to make more of my self accessible to the sun’s warming rays; lifting my face and closing my eyes in peace.

Not anymore.

As you probably already know, I was diagnosed with melanoma on July 13, 2009.  (You can catch up with the whole story here ).  I now have to make a concentrated effort to keep out of the sun I once adored, and make sure I’m slathered with sunscreen when I’m in it. I’ve had a hard time, honestly, with the sunscreen.  I’m using a lotion with some built in, but I know it’s not enough.  I am still on the search for the perfect sunscreen – one that I can wear year round without smelling like the beach or being greasy like a piece of (pale) bacon.

But even though it’s a pain in the ass to have to remember to put on sunscreen (hey, it takes awhile to break 30+ years of habit of not wearing it, yo!), I will.  My scars and still partially numb leg, plus the fun insta-swelling I get sometimes (lymphedema) is a constant reminder that I would like to avoid further surgery and live a long, cancer-free life.

So do yourself (and me) a favor and get yourself checked out.  If you aren’t sure if something on your body looks right or wrong, please go to your doctor / dermatologist and get it checked out.  Don’t think it won’t happen to you, because it can.

Skincancer.org is a fabulous resource – lots of great articles and information available there.  Throughout the month, I’ll be posting skin cancer related information here, so please stop back by. Also, if you’ve been affected by skin cancer in any way and want to share your story, I’d love to publish you on my other website (Defying Melanoma), so please email me or leave a comment.