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. 

When I went in to see him he informed me that it was an over grown wart (I have had no history of warts before), he then proceeded to scrape it off and put a bandage on it and I was on my way.

A year later in 2002 it had basically tripled in size I wasn’t worried about it though so I told my family that I was willing to live with an over grown wart on my back. A few months later my mum turned up to my work place and said she had organised for me to see a mole/skin specialist, and we went there, the doctor took one look at it and said your GP may be right but we will have it tested anyway. The next day was my 5th wedding anniversary and I had organised to surprise my husband with a night at the place where we had spent our first night together as a married couple. As we were leaving we noticed there was a message on our answering machine, it was from the doctor who had removed the growth saying could I please ring him as he needed to talk to me. When I rang him back he told me that the growth which was cut from my back was a level IV superficial spreading melanoma and that I needed to come back on Monday to have more removed. 26 Stitches inside and out and numerous other dysplastic moles removed later, I started my regular visits up to the PA, 3monthly, 6monthly and then last October (2006) the doctor was very happy to inform me that I can start having yearly visits.

Early this year I found a lump under my left arm which when tested was found to be melanoma. I have since had it removed along with my lymph nodes, I was given a couple of options for treatment and opted for Interferon. Unfortunately my body rejected the Interferon and I ended up in hospital for a week. I have just recently finished radiation and boy that wasn’t much fun, the nurses and doctors referred to it as giving me a large dose of sun (who’d figure).

With the support of my family and friends I have gotten through this year with only a few breakdowns. Mum took me to every appointment and went through this whole process with me. My mother is my best friend and my support she has only been a phone call away for me and she also drops everything to make sure that I am okay, she has had quite a year with me and my family, and I thank her for that from the bottom of my heart.

More tests in the New Year……