We had a scare in our family. A big scare. Doug was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma this month. It is the most deadly form of skin cancer and if not found and treated early on, it usually terminal. About 8 months ago, Doug noticed a mark on his side that resembled a large black mole. He had never noticed it before and asked me to look at it. I didn't remember it either. It was about the size of a nickel. It wasn't perfectly round, but it wasn't asymmetrical either. It was on his side, just above where you get love handles. Shortly after, I delivered Oakley. During our hospital stay, we asked one of the doctors to take a look at it. He looked it over briefly and concluded that "it is not cancer". So, we didn't worry too much about it. Still, Doug had a doctor's appointment a few weeks later and asked that doctor as well. He too, told Doug not to worry about it. Fast forward 7 months down the road.... Doug and I applied for life insurance. Some of Doug's blood-work came back irregular and we decided he needed to see a doctor. I insisted that this doctor carefully examine the same spot that I was now suspicious was skin cancer. She reluctantly did a biobsy but assured Doug that it was probably nothing.
Well, all 3 doctors were wrong. It was something. It was Melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. After the biopsy results came back, they asked him to come back in and they cut the entire "mole" out. At this point, we didn't know how serious it was. However, when the doctor called us a day later and told us that he needed to come in ASAP to have a large portion of his side removed, we quickly became aware of the severity of the situation.
We researched and prayed and Doug was given a blessing by his dad and brother. In our hearts, we felt like everything was going to be okay, but we were still scared.
Doug went in 2 days later to have a little over 3 inches in diameter, and about an inch deep, removed from his side. They tested this portion to see if there was any cancer near the borders and that would determine how severe the cancer was. THANKFULLY, the borders were clear of cancer and in this case, he was considered cured since they were able to remove the cancer completely via the surgery.
We are grateful we persisted and grateful that 8 months was not enough time for this cancer to spread to an untreatable level. Chances are it would have spread a lot more during that time, but we were lucky. Extremely blessed. Still, this ordeal taught us to appreciate our family and what is important. It also taught us to take care of our bodies and if you every suspect that something isn't right, you should act on it!
Here is what Doug had to endure to remove the cancer. He was awake the entire time.
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