Hello From The Mountains!

I just wanted to post a quick hello. I am in Roanoke visiting Mr. Spots and my sister until tomorrow morning. I will be posting about my weekend and the upcoming Skype interview with the Skin Cancer Foundation that is scheduled for Tuesday.

Speaking of which, if anyone knows of a male who is under the age of 26 who would like to share his experience with melanoma, please email me. The Skin Cancer Foundation would love to hear his story. We need to make males aware of this unpredictable disease, too.

Speaking of this disease...I head to New York on Wednesday. I have my 3 month scans on Thursday, followed by a check up and results Friday morning. I am only a tad bit nervous...I feel so great, I am really enjoying having my life back, I pray nothing will change.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a safe & happy weekend. I look forward to blogging tomorrow evening!

Pony Land

One observation regarding the majority of the people who attended the pony swim on Chincoteague Island yesterday: They got burnt. I am not talking about a little pink after a long day in the sun. I am talking about the painful-hot-red-must-have-aloe-now kind of burnt. I wonder if they realize that it just takes one little burn...............

Anyway.

I picked up my niece yesterday from her Nana's. When I brought her back to our house, she asked, "Is it just the big kids going to see the ponies or are you going too, Grand Mommy?" Mom said, "No, it is just you and Aunt Chelly going." Lily got a huge smile on her face and hugged me. All night long, she kept telling people, "it's just the two of us!" It made me very thankful that I made the decision to do something special with just her. We needed some bonding time.

Girlfriend needs some sunglasses!

"Go, horsey, GOOOOO!"

It was a beautiful night on Chincoteague.

She was not interested in the ponies until after we rode the rides!

She said, "Aunt Chels, We saw them when we drove in.

Let's go ride some RIDES!"

She is such a beautiful little kiddo. We are very blessed. 

I have a crazy hectic day, but prepare yourself for the blog post titled "Pain in My Ass...Literally." I think my nerve damage is increasing....

Off to a surprise birthday party for this gorgeous 70 something Granny I know! Shush. Don't tell her! 

"Where I Come From"

There is a small island located about 10 minutes from my house called Chincoteague Island. Every July, the Saltwater Cowboys swim the wild ponies from Assateague Island over to Chincoteague. For locals, this day is a holiday. It is not just a big event for us here on the Shore. Oddly enough, this event attracts thousands of people to our little island. It was on CNN last year....!(See article here or visit www.Chincoteague.com)

By the way, let me be very clear to those concerned about the well being of the horses. They are very well taken care of. Your horse should be jealous of these horses. ;-)

If you would like to know more about the famous horse Misty of Chincoteague--Check out this website here:
If you would like to purchase a book--the elementary schools out in Blacksburg, VA, have their children read it--click here. 

Since being out in this hot sunshine all day is pretty much against my new lifestyle, I skipped the pony swim this year. Although it is a lot of fun, I think I will wait until my niece is old enough to enjoy it or I have babies. Instead, I am having a hot date with my 4 year old niece tonight. I am taking her over to the carnival grounds to see the ponies! I am sure I will get talked into doing other things at the carnival as well. Lulu does not have to ask me twice...She is a kiddo who loves animals. I totally predict that she will at least consider becoming a vet many years from now. Mark my words!

I get to enjoy the ponies, my niece, and the local holiday all while being sun safe. Sounds good to me!

Off to spoil the niece!

Yet Another Blog

I had forgotten how much I truly love to write until this blog really started. I love it! Even if people do not read my posts, I get so much relief and clarity when I sit down to post the thoughts running through my head. Yesterday I wrote that it is time to get back to my life. I mean that. I need to let melanoma sit on the back burner for a while. Don't get me wrong. I still plan to write probably every day; however, I have decided I want to write about other things as well.

...Which is why I am starting a new blog: http://nogoodreasonwhynot.blogspot.com. Instead of focusing simply on melanoma, I will write about whatever strikes my fancy. Maybe I will see an article in The New York Times that I have to discuss. Maybe Lindsey Lohan will--yet again--do something to make headlines. More than likely, I will read an amazing book that I must share with someone.

Like I said, I will not give up on this blog. It is my baby. It has absolutely been the best therapy I could have wished for. It also reminded me just how much I love to write.

I hope you will follow the new blog right along with this one. I can't promise it will be as informative, but I guarantee it will be interesting---at least from time to time.

Happy Tuesday, folks. (Seriously, doesn't it seem like it should be Friday already? What a long week!)

Let's Talk Sunscreen...

http://davegranlund.com/cartoons/

It seems like every time someone lectures about the benefits of sunscreen, another person will argue that the potentially harmful chemicals in sunscreen do not outweigh the protection that the lotions provide you with. Today The Skin Cancer Foundation posted this great article which breaks down why they believe sunscreen is worth it.

Have you noticed that when something becomes a popular topic--and skin cancer has been more popular lately--people want to show both sides. The news has covered great advances in skin cancer lately: the approval of Yervoy, the new FDA rules for sunscreen, and more advertisement on the damages of tanning beds and sunburns. Because we like to see both sides of situations, people are publishing information that claims sunscreen can be harmful, black people can't get skin cancer, etc, etc, etc. Even though I know that everyone--regardless of your skin tone--can get melanoma, some people believe these reports. What happens if people start to believe that sunscreen is unhealthy for you?

That is the biggest concern for The Skin Cancer Foundation right now. In their article, they write, "We are concerned that the criticisms will raise unnecessary fears and cause people to stop using sunscreen, doing their skin serious harm." I can see why this would be concerning for them. Since 1979 they have been dedicated to educating people on the best possible ways to prevent skin cancer. When melanoma becomes a part of your life, they strive to share information with you that can educate you, comfort you, and lead you in the best possible direction.

Oh, by the way, I am not writing this article about The Skin Cancer Foundation simply because I have an online Skype interview with them on Tuesday. ;-) I am writing it because they, along with Melanoma Research Foundation, truly impress me with their dedication to raising awareness.

So, look over the information. See what you feel more comfortable with. Decide for yourself if sunscreen is something you should use. Whatever you do, make sure you keep sunscreen on your children. They don't have a say in protecting themselves.

Rules of Sunscreen:

- Use an SPF of 15 or more.

- Apply 1 oz (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen every day.

- Reapply every 2 hours! AND after swimming or sweating a great deal.

- Stay out of the direct sunlight between the hours of 10 am--4 pm.

- Keep newborns out of the sun!

- Remember that some medications cause you to burn easily. (A lot of birth control pills...!!) Read the labeling. Take extra precautions.

- Again, women, you do a monthly boobie check, right? Check your skin, too!

You can prevent skin cancer. Why don'tcha try?

XOXO

http://www.skincancer.org/recentattackssunscreen.html

http://www.skincancer.org/Sunscreen/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/26/health/26brody.html?_r=3&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1311615473-tjD7Nig/I8MPsLgwL/477w

Dear Life, I Am Ready For You.

‎"Today, I interviewed a woman who is terminally ill. '

So,' I tried to delicately ask,

'what is it like to wake up every morning

and know that you are dying?'

'Well,' she responded,

'what is it like to wake up every morning

and pretend that you are not?'"

~Unknown

I saw this on a friend's Facebook status. Could it be more true? We as human beings know that eventually we are going to die. Sure, we all tend to live in denial and pretend that we are invincible; however, most of the people who read this blog already received a rude awakening that we are quite the opposite of invincible. Regardless of health issues, we wake up each day not knowing if it will be our last. Do we automatically worry? No.

Before melanoma, I did not think about death often. The idea of losing people close terrifies me. The idea of myself being the one passing was something I simply did not think about. I am 24 years old. I have the rest of my life to worry about dying, right? (We all assume the rest of our lives will include a great deal of years...) Then I got diagnosed with melanoma and I simply prayed I would get the opportunity to become older. Some people dread turning a year older. I admit, I thought my life would be a lot different at 24, but instead of cringing when I blow out 25 candles, I will celebrate. (I'm talking full fledged party style celebration....)

That brings me to the subject of living in fear. Yes, melanoma is incurable. Yes, in its advanced stages it is normally fatal. I realize that. I also realize that I could get in my car and get struck by a tractor trailer while driving home. I could fall down the steps in my fabulous heels and break my neck. I could be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Anything could happen. I cannot wake up every day wondering if the mind numbing headache is the result of a tumor in my brain. I can't freak out over the lump in my shoulder. I cannot constantly wonder if there are cancer cells floating around in my body.

Why bother having a NED life if you are not going to take advantage of it?

During my appointment on Friday, I told my oncologist, The Wizard, that I feel really great. I told him I feel better now than I have since my first surgery in January. I admitted that I feel guilty for feeling so good because that means I am probably receiving the placebo; however, I am OK with it because it is nice to be getting my life back. Both the nurse and the doctor said, "We are so glad to hear that." And it is true...There are no cures for melanoma, I know that, but if I am clear right now, shouldn't I get back to living my life?

Why should I fear for something that is entirely out of my control? Sure, if I have a "dirty scan, I will have fears. Yes, if my blood work shows a reason to be concerned, I will be paranoid. But, I can't stop living my life because melanoma may kill me one day. Something will kill all of us one day.

So, it is time. All summer long I said I was not going to make plans until after I finished treatment and received healthy scans in August. But, you know what? I want to begin making a life for myself again. More than ever, I know what I want out of life. Now it is time to work on getting it.

Round 4

Now I know why people leave the City in the summer. Boy, it gets hot! Mom and I left  on Wednesday to meet our Canadian friends Lindsey and Susan for a couple days of fun in the City. The trip up there was simple enough. There was oddly quite a bit of traffic but nothing too terrible. We decided to stay at The Westin again in Newport because it is our favorite hotel in Jersey City. Everyone who works there is overly friendly, the rooms are comfortable and clean, and there's a reason why they call their beds heavenly...

During the ride I received the most interesting email from someone who works with The Skin Cancer Foundation. She complimented me on my blog, and after a few back and forth emails, she asked if I would be interested in sharing my story through an interaction on Skype. This conversation would then be posted on the website they are relaunching in September. Awesome, huh? I am so flattered. I started this blog in the beginning for 3 reasons 1) because Mom told me I should...(She knows her daughter well.) 2) For my own therapy (and to keep myself sane from the questions from family members.) and 3) to show that melanoma is not just skin cancer. I had no idea the amount of support I would receive from strangers all over the world. Every single time I hear "I will never use the tanning bed again" I know that sharing my personal struggles has been worth it.

Anyway, back to my NYC adventures.

Wednesday evening once the ladies got into town, we headed over to Hoboken in hopes of taking Susan to see the Cake Boss. Unfortunately everyone else in New Jersey decided to pick that day to see him as well. We jumped onto the path train and headed into the City instead. We ended up at Rockefeller Center for drinks at The Rink Bar. It is such a cool little place where locals tend to meet up. Lindsey and I sat bat, sipped our drinks, and people watched while Mom & Susan got caught up. You truly never know what you will see in New York...

The random stretch Rolls Royce that 

was parked casually on the side 

of the road.

They are coming along on the tower...

Thursday morning we woke up with the intention of taking the Sex & the City tour. Unfortunately--again--everyone else planned to do the same thing. Instead we took the big red tourist bus tour! Here is what I have learned from that tour: 1) it really can be a great thing ONLY if your tour guide is informative and interesting. Otherwise, it is boring...very boring. Because the temperatures were outrageous on Thursday, we knew that the bus would be a good idea instead of walking all over the City. After we did the downtown tour, we decided to see what Brooklyn is all about.

Brooklyn is.........well............it's not the place you want to visit on one of those big red buses. Not only did we have a horrible tour guide, it was hot, there was a bike race going on so we had to move slowly, and we could not get off to explore when we felt like it. I guess I should have read that it was not "hop on/hop off" before taking the tour. Oops. I think Brooklyn could be a neat place to visit with people who live there now. Maybe one day!

After we got back from that tour, cooled off, and did some shopping, we were walking towards Central Park when we saw The Plaza. Next thing I knew, we were walking into the famous hotel for wine. (Yeah, yeah. I know people like to have tea at The Plaza, but hello, do we look like tea people? Wine all the way.) It was a fun experience with wonderful ladies.

All in all my two days of play time with 3 fabulous ladies was a lot of fun...even if we did all sweat a ridiculous amount!

Friday morning the fun was over. Mom & I got ourselves ready for the last day in the chemo suite for 3 months! I saw my vampire friends in the lab to let them take my blood, had an uneventful appointment with my oncologist (I like uneventful appointments...) and began to wait for my last session to begin. Treatment was scheduled to begin at 10:30; however, it was 12:30 before we were called, and it was 1:00 before the nurse got the IV in my arm. My veins were not cooperating at all on Friday. She warmed my arm, she tried 3 different veins, and then she finally got one that screamed "Just use me!"

Treatment itself was simple enough...Blood pressure decreased some over the 90 minutes, but that's pretty normal now. The only eventful thing about the entire day was the man in the suite next to us. He was an older gentleman who simply did not want to live anymore. How do I know that? Well, he said it. He was begging to go back to his nursing home, he was becoming more and more upset as the nurse continued to postpone. He kept saying, "I am tired!" I believed him, too. It broke my heart....I wanted to take that poor man back to his nursing home, put him in bed with his pain medicine, and let him ride out his days. Hearing this poor fella say that he wanted to die nearly did me in for the day. There is no other way to put it, it hurt my heart.

I am so thankful for Mom's assistance in getting me through the last 12 weeks. I know that physically, financially, and emotionally it has been a rough 3 months, but we did it. And every single time, we made the most of it...She made sure that we always had some fun even when she knew I would have been content hanging in the hotel room feeling bummed. She has been my backbone. Love ya, Momma.

Once I was free to leave, we got back on the road to head back to Virginia. That is when I learned of Tina's passing. She fought against melanoma since 2006. I know she was tired...I keep praying for her family...

Anyway, Mom & I got back to Virginia a little before 10 pm. We were both exhausted. In fact, I did not move until after 11:00 this morning. I can't remember the last time I slept in that late. I have been extremely lazy today...I still feel too tired to think clearly, but I wanted to post a little something regarding the last week. It has been a busy one, that is for sure.

I will post more later...Maybe I will be more interesting once I get some rest. ;-)

Have a safe weekend, friends.