Tuesday, April 10, 2012

It's Time!

The time has come again for my 3 month scans and treatment session in NYC. This time I am READY to see The Wizard. I want him to look at the rash covering my arms, legs, and belly, and tush. Rash update:

I called my dermatologist at Sloan yesterday and tried to schedule an appointment with him. I was told his first available appointment is in August. Obviously, that will not work for me. I called The Wizard and asked to speak to my favorite nurse. She called me back about 30 minutes later and asked that I email her updated rash pictures. I sent them to her last evening and another nurse called back today saying they would definitely get me in with someone on Friday. Yes! It is needed! 

Here is my schedule for the next few days:

*I fly out of Roanoke tomorrow morning. I will meet Mom & head into the city. 
*Thursday I have a special meeting with my friends at The Skin Cancer Foundation. (More to come on that later!)
*Thursday at 3 pm I have my scans. Woo! Scan juice! (Gag.)
*Thursday night I have a dinner with 2 special ladies--We are members of a group called Cancer Chicks. I am looking forward to meeting up with them in person!
*Friday morning I meet with The Wizard at 9 am for a check-up and scan results. *Prayers please.*
*Depending on results, I will head to the Chemo suite for my next treatment session.

I have a fellow Molemate who is also receiving scan results this week. Please pray that Nick hears that his drug is shrinking his tumors. He's a great guy. Check out his blog: http://melanomafighter.blogspot.com/

If you could send some prayers our way, I know we both would greatly appreciate it.


Monday, April 9, 2012

Share This!

"Here’s a generally good rule of thumb: when doctors, dermatologists, and scientists link a purely recreational, easy-to-avoid behavior like tanning to cancer, and the people who are making money off that purely recreational, easy-to-avoid behavior try desperately to refute them, it’s best to err on the side of science and safety."
~Hanna Brooks Olsen


OK, stop reading my blog and go read this article! Share it! 

Sunday, April 8, 2012

25 Candles.

I never knew how thankful I would be to turn a year older until the possibility of not aging became real. Today I add another candle to my birthday cake, and in all honesty, I could not be more grateful. I wish to add as many candles to my cake as I possibly can. This girl does not fear old age!

As today is Easter, we celebrated my birthday last night. Mr. Spots gave me the most beautiful ring to help remember this special day.




My mom visited last weekend and insisted I wear one of my presents from her on my actual birthday:
After all, a special birthday deserves a special Lilly Pulitzer.

Both of my sisters and their significant others joined us for a night on the town:





I am so grateful for the love that I am shown every single day, but especially thankful for the extra love today. I am an incredibly lucky and thankful 25 year old. (25! Where did time go?!!! I still feel like I should be 15...) As always, when it comes down to it, I am just thankful to be alive. It is that simple.

I think I will start planning my 50th birthday party tomorrow!  ;-)

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Another Reason

...why you should warn your friends, daughters, brothers, and children about the dangers of melanoma.

http://www.nwcn.com/home/?fId=146214655&fPath=%2Fnews%2Flocal&fDomain=10227

Amy was only 29 years old.

Prayers and thoughts are with her family tonight.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Rash Update





I am still splotchy.
 My legs (both of them!) are not pretty anymore.
It's a non-textured rash randomly on my legs
and belly.

It is weird.

I sure hope it is still there on April 13th so I can show
 The Wizard (AKA my oncologist) in person.


At least it doesn't hurt or itch! And at least the little area on my face can be covered with make-up!

There is a plus side, I guess! ;-)

Happy Wednesday, friends.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Aim at Melanoma -

Aim at Melanoma -

Please consider supporting me in November 2012's AIM at Melanoma walk in North Carolina. Last year was such a special opportunity and I really cannot wait to participste again.

Thank you for your continued support in my fight against this ugly cancer.

Love,

Chelsea.

Educate!

Melanoma is in the news today! Did you all see it? If not, check out the links below!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041426/vp/46924232#46907463 
       *Oh, the dangers of tanning beds....

http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/02/10987650-for-young-women-melanoma-rates-on-the-rise
 **Notice how he says that the rise of melanoma in young women is almost an epidemic.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/rising-melanoma-rate-hits-young-women-hardest/story?id=16054407#.T3pAjtV-X_c


Share these with your friends. We need to educate!