My first blue lump appeared on my wrist in early September 2008.  My GP referred me on to a physiotherapist, believing it to be some sort of repetitive strain injury.  The physio set some exercises and I dutifully completed them all.

In October, I went on holiday believing that all was well.  Within days, I started to get pain in my underarms and around my breasts but I put it down to muscular strain as I had been swimming every day after weeks of inactivity. 

I first noticed a change in a mole on the inside of my thigh in Oct 2006 when it grew, became red and itchy. Doing the right thing I had it checked with a doctor only to be told its probably only irritated because your thighs are rubbingtogether, if its still there in 6 months come back.

I was diagnosed with a superficial spreading melanoma but at an initial depth of 2mm on my neck at the hairline on my back (later revised to 1.6mm depth). I thought this was small but doctors assured me of the need for intervention and the need for further surgery.

I was diagnosed with a 1mm Nodular melanoma on my left thigh, in early Feb 08’. After being referred by my dermatologist to the Melanoma Clinic at Nth Sydney I had a few weeks to wait for my appointment and was scared and I was looking for something positive to keep my mind in order. 

I never thought about getting cancer. I was 31 years old. I had a 3-year-old daughter and 16-month-old girl/boy twins. I was a busy stay-at-home mother of three. I had always been very health conscious, eating well, exercising, wearing sunscreen, and getting regular skin checks. 

After the birth of my beautiful twins a dry spot appeared on my back I hadn’t really noticed it but I remember it being quite itchy. In 2001 it had grown a bit (skin colour), so I decided that I would see my local GP, being my family doctor for many many years, I had full faith that he would know what it was and how to deal with it. 

My life has changed dramatically... Quite a few years ago I had a Melanoma - mole (primary) removed from the left side of my jaw and since then I have gone for regular check-ups to my Dermatologist. I thought that was the end of that!

I was advised of a Callender Type B melanoma in my eye - the eyeball was enucleated and I was shattered.

At 40 years of age I had a primary melanoma removed from my shoulder. About 12 months later, surgery removed a secondary melanoma located in a lymph node in the same shoulder.