I have just returned home from the Doctor after receiving pathology results in regard to the removal of a suspicious skin lesion last Friday. Whilst pathology showed early cell changes (indicating it definately needed to be removed), it was ALL CLEAR from cancer. Hooray!

In case it is of any use to anyone else (or you are interested), following is a personal reflection about what this experience has meant for me - my thoughts, my feelings and the lessons I have learnt (feel free to ignore this though and scroll down to the bottom of my post - I do realise I can sometimes be long-winded! ;-)):

*I am disappointed I literally wasted a weekend feeling so incredibly distressed over (nearly) nothing. At the same time I am feeling quite proud of myself for holding it together fairly well for the sake of my children;
*I'm feeling annoyed with the Doctor (who knows about my fear of cancer) for making such a diagnosis without having the pathology on hand to back her up first;
*I'm so incredibly grateful(!) to the same Doctor for identifying that the mole looked abnormal and removing it BEFORE it became cancerous;
*I'm embarrassed for dumping my emotional anguish onto you all. At the same time I am so incredibly touched that so many of you supported me and shared your own personal experiences. There is so much good out there in the world and I'm humbled;
*I'm so very happy and excited that I can spend Christmas with my family knowing I'm healthy;
*I'm pleased to have finally educated myself about melanoma AND other types/forms of skin cancer. I find comfort in knowing exactly what I need to do in the future to protect myself (and my children) from developing this disease;
*This experience made me realise that it is *really* important for me to take my children on a holiday to Disneyland. (I know, the things you think about when you worry the end is near..! I was fortunate to have this experience when I was a little girl and I'd love my kids to have the same opportunity. My hubby has agreed that we can go for his 40th in just over two years. Yippee-zippee - now to start saving! :-));
*Finally, I'm very grateful that my experience has been the wake up call a few of my family and friends have needed to go and get their own skin checked. My experience made them realise that melanoma can happen to anyone. For this reason alone, I am glad that this last week has happened and I would never wish this experience away. Who knows - whilst this experience didn't save my life, maybe it will save someone else's.

Let me finish this little experience by saying just one more time a very humble and grateful thank you everyone - YLF REALLY IS THE BEST!!!!

Katiepea (Kirstie)
xo