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My Experience with Cancer

Prior to being diagnosed with melanoma i had no idea what it was. Cancer? How could i have cancer? It was a mole. My first melanoma was on my abdomen right below my belly button. This required a wide excision and a lymph node biopsy. Thankfully the cancer had not spread past my abdomen and they got it all. I required no chemo. 9 months later i was diagnosed with my second melanoma on the middle of my chest. That also required an excision and no further treatments. I have 2 scars that i consider to be my battle scars. The one on my abdomen is about 6 inches long and the other is about 2 inches. Both scars are keloids and have taken years to fade. The one on my chest gets the most looks. Most people ask if i had heart surgery and some people just stare. It doesn’t bother me. The people who ask get the short story along with the “use sunscreen and get checked” warning. I feel that if i covered it up i wouldn’t get the word out. And every time i look at it, it reminds me that i am a survivor. And not to take life for granted.

Hobbies

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, outdoor barbeques, watching hockey (NY Rangers fan), going to baseball games (Go Orioles), going to music concerts and being active in the community.

Books

To Kill A Mockingbird, The Last Lecture, any and all non-fiction books. I like to read about people and their lives. And how they got to where they are in life. It can be very inspirational.

Music

Daughtry, 3 Doors Down, The Bee Gees, Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Journey, Foreigner, Lifehouse, Linkin Park, old school 80’s music

Movies

The Hangover (go see it,it’ll make you laugh), Mystery Alaska, To Kill A Mockingbird, Transporter, Ground Hog’s Day, Employee of the Month, Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Arsenic and Old Lace, Singing in the Rain, etc…

My Kind of People

Genuine, compassionate, loving, good sense of humor,

Reason for Being Here

To meet others who have been touched by cancer.

Words of Wisdom

Share your story! I did with my co-workers and one of them was diagnosed with melanoma soon after. She said if it wasn’t for me, she wouldn’t have talked to her doctor about a suspicious mole.

Religion

Christian

Know Me

I am a melanoma and cervical dysplasia survivor who has epilepsy. Both diseases have taught me alot about myself. I’ve learned that I am stronger than I ever thought I was. I’ve discovered that i am truly happy being an ambassador for both diseases. And I’ve also met alot of amazing people along the way. I am returning to school in the fall to pursue a degree in the medical field. It may take awhile but i’ll get there. :)