Take 2.
My stomach dropped and my throat felt heavy as I stared at the text message from my husband.
“The dermatologist called me. I will call him back when I get out of work.” Was all it said.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I knew what that meant. I had gotten a call from the same dermatologist when I had a positive biopsy. That could only mean that my husband also had a positive biopsy.
Two hours dragged past until my husband called me.
“Yeah… its melanoma.” He said, confirming my fears. “Too deep for him to remove, I have to see a surgeon and get my lymph nodes checked.”
I felt sick. I had researched too much when I had a similar mole removed. But mine had been clean- the base clear. His is not clean or clear. He is in a more complicated place.
He told me not to worry and later put a smile on to show me he was ok.
To be honest, I am worried sick. I’m good at my job as an ICU nurse because I imagine the worst possible scenario and work to prevent it. Today, as a wife, I feel like that couldn’t be a worse trait.
Dear sun worshippers… PLEASE. PLEASE. Don’t be foolish. Take precautions. My small family is now 2 for 2 on melanoma moles. If you aren’t worried about yourself and your OWN skin… please know that the people who love you ARE worried.
Go see a dermatologist. Go get checked. Look at your skin. Check your moles. PLEASE.
Being tan isn’t worth dying over.
www.skincancer.org
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer
