Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month I wanted to take the time to share my story.

I don't recall when the spot initially showed up but I was pregnant with my second child and I had spot on my right forearm that was starting to bother me. It would start to bleed so I would doctor it then it would get better and start to bleed again. My husband kept telling me to go get it looked at. I had already gotten established at the dermatologist because of a spot on my forehead that I wanted to have taken off( it was just for cosmetic purposes). So I set up the appointment. Dermatologist took off the top layer said he thought it could possibly be a blood blister or something like that. I waited a week for the results. It came back as Stage 1 Melanoma! I was in shock. I would need surgery to remove it. This was in November 2018. I was 28 weeks pregnant and didn't want to risk going into pre-term labor. So I decided to wait till after my son was born. I had my son February of 2019. June 2019 I had my surgery. 32 stitches later and a lymph node biopsy. Then it was waiting on the results from the biopsy to make sure it hadn't spread. Thank God it didn't!! Biopsy was clear 🙌🏻 For the first year after I went every 3 months for skin checks. I am now going every 6 months. I hope to move to every year soon since no new spots have been found. Early detection is key! When in doubt get it checked out. Don't wait or take someone's opinion on the internet. Just wanted to share my story and remind people skin cancer is real.

Before biopsy

After biopsy

3 years later