Monday, October 21, 2013

I had this little spot, it was small and not so funny


Sometimes you are tracking along with a plan in mind and then something pops up to make you change directions. Or in my case, derail perfectly good plans to paint the entire house.

About halfway through the reno a little voice started whispering inside my head about a spot on my leg. "I think that spot is a little bigger" it said.  "Really?" I replied, "it's quite hard to see given that I haven't shaved my legs for the entire reno". The voice added, "Yes, and I think it's a little darker too".

 I humphed and replied "You do realize that I am in the middle of a renovation and cannot cope with yet another problem to deal with?" (evidenced by the fact that I am replying to voices in my head). This dark spot had appeared with one of my pregnancies and had been checked two years ago by a skin specialist.

I added a skin specialist appointment to the extensive list of things to be fitted into that week after we moved home. The voices kept on right up until that appointment. "I think that spot really should go, no matter what the skin specialist thinks, just get her to whip it off, you aren't worried by scars anyway."

The skin specialist  agreed that it needed to come off and referred me to a plastic surgeon. She had voices in her head telling her it was probably a Melanoma. She felt it was likely to be at an early stage but we would only know for sure when it was removed. Waiting the eleven days for that plastic surgery appointment and another three days for results, was not a pleasant experience and the reason that blog posts have been thin on the ground over here. Considering the possibility that you may have an incurable cancer when your youngest child is still in kindy is sobering to say the least.

I am incredibly fortunate that while the spot that first appeared after one of my children was in fact a Melanoma, it was also found at an early stage and is very unlikely to have spread elsewhere. However, because of the location on my lower leg, the plastic surgeon was unable to do the full surgery that a melanoma requires at that initial visit. So now as this scar heals I am waiting  for a more extensive surgery that requires an overnight stay in hospital and a week or so with my leg elevated in bed.

As any mother with small children would know, that is like asking for the moon. So, time off work has been booked, extra kindy arranged, and family roped in for weekend help. Obviously, painting the house is not going to be happening anytime soon. But goodness, as if that matters when you realise the enormity of it all and thank your lucky stars that you did not delay seeing that specialist any longer.

I don't generally post personal issues on this blog, largely because many of the difficult issues in my life, are not actually mine and therefore are not mine to share. This one however, belonged to me and if reading this prompts even one other mother or father of young children to get their skin checked, or not ignore a spot that is changing then that is reason enough.  Do not presume you are safe because you are young and used sun protection. I never played much outdoor sport, was not a beach babe, and used sunscreen and hats.

Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world and it is the most common cancer in young Australians aged 15-39. It is responsible for more deaths of young Australians ( age 20-34) than ANY other single cancer. If it is caught early and removed surgically it is completely curable. To quote Queensland surgeon Dr Neville Davis, "Malignant melanoma writes its message in the skin with its own ink and it is there for all of us to see. Some see but do not comprehend".

If you want more information on how to check your skin or signs to watch for, visit the  Melanoma Institute of Australia.

If you are looking for me, I'll be lying in bed for the longest stretch of time in about seven years. Any good books to read or crochet pattern suggestions would be most appreciated.

29 comments:

  1. Thanks for such a compelling post. I agree that it's very easy to ignore symptoms when you're young and have small children, but early detection is so important. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 40, but it was detected early, and I'm here at age 65 to tell about it. I'm sending tons of positive energy your way.

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  2. I think this is a great post and written so well - thanks for sharing! I too had 3 of these nasty early stage melanoma's cut out this year... very much a reality check - hope u recover quick xxx

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  3. Oh my. I've never had my skin checked but I have the same voices in my head. It's time I book a check-up after reading this. Thanks for writing about it Mel. I hope you will be okay and that your surgery goes well. Painting the house can always wait. It's taken us four years and we've yet to start under the house! xx

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  4. Amazing how quickly those "important" things that keep us spinning with busyness can so suddenly fade into insignificance. Thanks for sharing and hope you mend as quickly as possible. (Oh and I'm making an appt now too ....)

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  5. Thanks for sharing this and I wish you a speedy recovery. Seven days in bed is an eternity for a mummy good job you have family to help. If you like knitting tiny owl knits has an amazing book at the moment and for crochet look up crochet at play by Kay goldin x

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  6. Oh Mel, take it easy and rest up. I had one removed when I was about 19. It got big really quickly. I was a sunbed user/beach babe big time, so I was not surprised when they told me what it was. At 19 you feel invincible. It was a wake up call and I have been sun smart ever since. Good on you for sharing. Hopefully it will prompt others to go and get checked out. Get well soon! xoxo

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  7. Although it can seem such a hassle trying to fit in these sorts of check-ups the relief of not having that niggling worry at the back of your mind is worth it. Early detection is very important- skin checks, pap smears and breast checks, not really anyone's idea of fun but our responsibility for being around for those we love.
    x

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  8. Always a good reminder - I'm overdue a checkup! Fingers crossed all goes well and recovery isn't too painful. Think of all the crafting and blogging you could get done in that time!! Take care xx

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  9. I get check ups ... as inconvenient as it is. You poor thing. Glad that piece of evil was cut out. And my best wishes and thoughts for the next Op. You've panicked me.I raced home after reading this post on the bus and told everyone they have to put on sunscreen everyday. Regardless.

    PS More power and solidarity to us (women of our age with young children). I hope you have all the help you need to manage the next step. Call out if you don't.xo

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  10. Oh boy! All the best for your next surgery. Thanks for the reminder to get my skin checked.

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  11. Oh dear! I am so sorry that this has happened to you but so pleased that you caught it quickly.
    My skin terrifies me...I did way too much sun baking in my youth! I am a bit paranoid. I see a specialist once a year and have her remove anything even slightly suspicious.
    I am sure your surgeon has talked everything through with you, but as I am a theatre nurse and unfortunately see operations like this all the time, please feel free to email me if you have any questions about the sort of practical side of it. And if you are in the RBWH and want a hand to hold or someone to sneak you up hot chips from the canteen, just shout! I am happy to help in any way that I can.
    Best of luck with the surgery...take care of yourself while you are healing.

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  12. I'm glad you listened to that little voice in your head Mel. You have prompted me to have a few little spots of my own checked - thank you. Wishing you a speedy recovery Mel and nothing but my best wishes x

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  13. I'm glad you followed through and had it checked. My father is a skin cancer survivor and it's something I'm always trying to be mindful of.

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  14. Thinking of you, and well done for listening to those voices and not just shoving them away. Enjoy the forced rest as much as you can-and don't 'just' do anything!!! Take care of yourself xxx

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  15. Ahh, that old gut feeling is always right ain't it! So glad you went with your instincts - the painting can definitely wait.... it will still be there. You've prompted me to go and get a check-up. I'm sure most mothers would agree that we tend to put our own health at the back of the queue and let everything else take priority. Take the time to put your feet up and have a good rest - you deserve it. xx

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  16. I'm so pleased you had it checked out so quickly Mel. Don't worry about the house, you need to take care of this first. Hope Hubby knows his way around Spotlight to fetch more yarn for you - take care xx.

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  17. Oh my gosh Mel, that's so scary! So glad you got it checked when you did. I've never had my skin checked but it's been niggling away at me as something I really should do and so I will now. Thank you for the reminder. Take Care and enjoy your rest. Mel xxx

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  18. Take care and try to enjoy your rest. The painting can wait. !!!!!!

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  19. Goodness... thank you for the reminder and do hope you take care. And enjoy that rest!

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  20. Oh my.... Oh my. My heart goes out to you. You know I really do know how you feel. Really.
    Thanks goodness you got it. Now rest.
    I'm booking a skin appointment because sometimes lightening can strike twice.
    I just read Water for Elephants...light and lovely. xo

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  21. Hi Mel, so sorry to hear your news, good you are getting it sorted though. My husband is obsessing about the Morrissey autobiography but it might not be your cup of tea - not sure the Smiths were such a thing over there. I love Maggie O'Farrell's books, easy to read and good too, worth a look. Do take good care, don't worry about the house, it will get there and if it's anything like ours it peaks and troughs naturally anyway.
    Just had the floor sanding man round, cannot get over how good your floors look glossy even tho I've just had the 'don't want gloss' speech from him. Just cannot decide whether to go scandi pale unstained or dark like our old house. More decisions. Trivial compared to your plight though.
    Sorry to waffle, keep us posted (literally!)
    all the best, Katie xx

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  22. oh mel i have had trouble commenting on your blog for some reason. so good you moved on it quickly. nothing like knowing your own body. rest and recover fast! books im reading...my sisters keeper-i must be the person who hasnt seen the movie! thank you for sharing Mel and thanks for the nudge. i hope everything goes smoothly, take care! x

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  23. Wishing you a speedy recovery Mel. The unfortunate curse of the Queensland sun, beautiful one day, melanoma the next. Enjoy some rest time.

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  24. Hi Mel. Yay for early detection and for you heeding the signs. I am just recovering from my second bout of breast cancer ( one mastectomy eight years ago, and another about ten days ago) and in both cases early detection has made all the difference in the outcome. My recovery this time has been assisted by knitting of course, and also a lovely book called The Unlikely Pilgimage of Harold Fry, which is a complete delight.
    All the very best, Alex xx

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  25. Wishing you all the best for this time and good on you for getting it checked out.

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  26. Get some rest, honestly the lengths people will go through to get some sofa time! I'm glad you were so vigilant and caught things early! :) x

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  27. Oh goodness, that is sobering indeed. But it's treatable and that's what matters. Never mind painting the house, just concentrate on doing what you're told and resting when you're told to! Take care lovely. xx

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  28. Mel. OMG, that is certainly sobering. SO glad your little inner voices were cluey and persistent enough to get your attention! I had no idea you were going though this - haven't managed to read any blogs lately. Glad to hear you are getting lots of rest now and everyone is looking after you. Loved the observation you made about such a huge team of people was needed to replace you for a few weeks :) Did you know its a year since I visited you guys in Bris? Not such a long time, and since then so much has happened. Mind you, in other ways it feels far too long, bloody long actually. Wish we could get together for another chat, laugh, and commiserations. Love, Mook xxx

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