PeterK
Yoda
Offline
My wife is a two time breast cancer survivor. First 16 years ago and the a couple of years ago she finished agressive chemotherapy followed by radiation for her second occurrance.
The TR3A is her car, I am just the driver and chief mechanic. The TR4A is my project that I have still not driven or even heard run.
A few months ago Cathy developed a mole on her cheek. We know the drill so she immediately went to the doctor and had it removed. Pathology showed is was melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, usually caused by sun exposure. Because of her history they did CTs and also removed a larger area around the mole and a lymph node to check for spread. The node was clear but the CT showed a suspicious nodule in her lung. We never though in a million years that we would have to go through this again. We hoped that the lung nodule was anything but melanoma. Good Friday they removed a section of her right lung for biopsy. It was melanoma and she is now being treated with Interferon for a year. It is a tough treatment. Melanoma is resistant to most therapies, there is no cure but some people live years after diagnosis. Most don't.
My reason for this post is to remind everyone of the danger of sun exposure. It's not just a TV commercial - there is NO cure.
As we drove the 3A around with the top off, the sun beat down on us and couldn't avoid getting burned, even with sunblock. My wife is a redhead (it even came back red after chemo!) and I am blonde so we are at greatest risk. Please wear sunblock SPF30 at minimum. This is a terrible disease which can usually be avoided. If you see a suspicious looking mole, please go in and have it checked.
We're not religious people but if you know something/someone we don't, please put in a good word/prayer for Cathy.
Thanks,
Pete
The TR3A is her car, I am just the driver and chief mechanic. The TR4A is my project that I have still not driven or even heard run.
A few months ago Cathy developed a mole on her cheek. We know the drill so she immediately went to the doctor and had it removed. Pathology showed is was melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, usually caused by sun exposure. Because of her history they did CTs and also removed a larger area around the mole and a lymph node to check for spread. The node was clear but the CT showed a suspicious nodule in her lung. We never though in a million years that we would have to go through this again. We hoped that the lung nodule was anything but melanoma. Good Friday they removed a section of her right lung for biopsy. It was melanoma and she is now being treated with Interferon for a year. It is a tough treatment. Melanoma is resistant to most therapies, there is no cure but some people live years after diagnosis. Most don't.
My reason for this post is to remind everyone of the danger of sun exposure. It's not just a TV commercial - there is NO cure.
As we drove the 3A around with the top off, the sun beat down on us and couldn't avoid getting burned, even with sunblock. My wife is a redhead (it even came back red after chemo!) and I am blonde so we are at greatest risk. Please wear sunblock SPF30 at minimum. This is a terrible disease which can usually be avoided. If you see a suspicious looking mole, please go in and have it checked.
We're not religious people but if you know something/someone we don't, please put in a good word/prayer for Cathy.
Thanks,
Pete