The following personal story is one that needs to be told for so many reasons - but even as I sit down to write it there is a surreal feeling in the telling. 

It was a Wednesday morning 5 weeks ago when Julie rang me at home a couple of hours before we were to start work.   Three year old Sarah had a persistent cold and although Julie felt sure that our local GP would probably not recommend an antibiotic for her – Julie felt she still wanted the child to visit the doctor.   

Normally Julie takes her little girl to the doctor but on that particular morning she had a client flying up from Melbourne especially to see her and it was my day off.  We decided it would probably be a good idea if I took Sarah to the doctor on this occasion. 

I readied myself for the 9am appointment. 

Herman’s survivor story update…

It has been six years since I sat down and thought about how cancer had made an impact on my life.

When writing this I was on my way to Townsville to facilitate one of sixteen support groups now being run through mpa.

Upon diagnosis I decided that every day would count, I would look for the splendor in colours, touch fabric, feel old bricks and appreciate their history. I would love friends and not be afraid to show what is in my heart. The funny thing is that at times I feel that my journey has been a gift in many ways and that only another melanoma brother or sister may understand.

When diagnosed my thoughts first turned to, will this disease take me or will I survive and if I survive what will I do to change, will I change my diet, will I just live my life as if I my melanoma never happened...

I find it amazing how by simply being with others sharing a drink and a meal, finding things to laugh at or simply sharing what scares the living day lights out of you, is like having your batteries recharged and you can handle the sorts of things that life wants to throw at you, the good bad and the ugly.

As I sit here I search my soul and think am I brave enough to say that I am cured/in remission or is this cancer sitting somewhere in my body just waiting for a moment of weakness. I really can't answer the question, I have seen too much and I guess whilst I hate this disease I really have to respect it, as a cunning enemy. I have one thing that I do know and that is I won’t empower it to control my life. I will remain an enemy of this disease committing my life to its eventual destruction (how cool will that be).

I reflect on remarkable strangers and think how powerful it is when you meet people and they just know how you feel, they want to just support and ask for nothing but your company in return. Before melanoma, I had a lot of acquaintances, now I consider myself to have so many real friends across not just Australia but the world.

I do dedicate my survival to a lot of things, the love of family especially the kids, good friends like Marlene who, when I was diagnosed did not let a day go by without sending some sort of supportive comment or gift my way. Brent Grace, now there is a real lesson in life, a young man whose life was cut short by this disease. Brent knew what he wanted and nothing was going to get in his way, Brent moved mountains and people as big as mountains. I know this because he moved me, I miss his wisdom so much however on occasions when times get tough I can still hear him saying, ”we will do what's best for mpa”, “Herman I have a job for you...” People like Lisa McFadyen, a melanoma sister who has managed to drag me kicking and screaming through many a challenge and hurdle, I don't know where she gets her energy from but she will always share it gladly with others. Jay Allen has a very strong magic, he has come into my life, impressing me with his energy and sense of humor, Jay and I must be in contact nearly every day always making sure that things are ok reminding ourselves that we are lifetime survivors (stealing days, months and years from this disease).

So you see this is not so much a survivor story but probably a thank you story because it is family and friends that for me has made the real difference.

This is my journey through melanoma. In April 2005 a mole on my right shin changed and when removed the pathology indicated that it was melanoma so the plastic/re-constructive surgeon did a wide excision & flap operation along with most of the lymph nodes in the right groin even though they were alright he said he'd remove them just to be sure. Almost three years later in February 2008 my right leg swelled as if I had lymphomdema.

My journey started on Jan 4th 2010 when I went to the dentist for a check up, something I hadnt done for a few years. She asked me if I was a smoker which I answered No and I have never smoked in my life... with that she said that I should go to my GP. I asked why and she said "you have a black mark on the roof of you mouth" and showed me with a mirror. It looked horrible.
 

HI! THIS IS MY STORY 2007 STARTED. FEB DIAGNOSED WITH ENDOMETRIAL C,9 HOUR OPP IT ALL REMOVED WAITING ON RESULT WOW GREAT NEWS NO CANCER. I AM ON THE MEND .10 MONTHS LATER MOLE CHANGED ON CALF ON LEG STRAIGHT TO DOCS,BIOPSY NOT GOOD NEWS THIS TIME MY HUSBAND AND I MAKE THE TRACK TO R.P.A MELANOMA UNIT.

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.