HOW it all Began.....
You Have Cancer Day 1 // October 13, 2016
October 13th, 2016 a very ordinary day... when the phone rang and the Dermatologist was on the other end suddenly everything stopped being ordinary........
Her voice suddenly sounded so far away, I could feel my heart begin to race as I asked her to repeat that last part again...........
Let me back up a little first. You see at the end of the summer my sweet 5 year old asked "Mommy, why is there paint on your back?" Now truthfully I had been staining furniture so that was entirely possible! As I turned to look at it in the mirror I saw what look like a small splatter of black paint on my back. After being unsuccessful at scrubbing it off I decided I would make an appointment with the dermatologist once all the kids were back in school. within weeks I could feel the tumor growing beneath my skin, soon after it ulcerated as my skin cells could not keep up with the rate of growth it was having.
I went into the doctors knowing it was some form of cancer. I had experience with family members spending time in the "cutting room" getting melanoma's and basil cell carcinomas removed. So when she took a biopsy and said I would have results in 2 weeks I thought nothing of it. I knew it would come back as something and it would be my turn in the cutting room....
This is were my story went in a direction I was not expecting. When my phone rang 2 days later and the Dr. herself was on the line at first I was naive and thought she was calling to schedule a follow up visit. The naivety continued when she asked me where I was, if I had someone with me. She then said " I am so sorry to have to tell you that it is cancerous. It is Melanoma." I was confused I didn't understand the concern in her voice, I thought she said 2 weeks not 2 days! I was ready to say ok when do I come in to have it cut out.....that's when she said "An Oncologist will be calling you in 20 minutes...." I'm sorry what was that....can you repeat that last part...."An Oncologist will be calling you in 20 minutes, again, Michelle I'm so sorry to have to tell you this."
She might have said more after this but I honestly didn't hear what she said. The voice in my head just kept saying "Why do I need an Oncologist?" I get off the phone and tell my husband who is working in the next room. I assure him that its not a big deal and I would let him know what the oncologist says. Exactly 20 minutes goes by and my phone rings again....Hello Michelle this is Dr. W I am with Texas Oncology, we have set up an appointment for you to come in this afternoon. Everything was happening so fast, I went in to see this new Dr. and was told I would be having surgery in a couple of days. I was informed of everything I would have to have tested, poked and prodded within the next couple of days and sent on my way.
Didn't they know.....I did NOT have time for CANCER!
Or that I am healthy! I eat right, I exercise, I have 4 kids!
Guess what, Cancer does not care.
Her voice suddenly sounded so far away, I could feel my heart begin to race as I asked her to repeat that last part again...........
Let me back up a little first. You see at the end of the summer my sweet 5 year old asked "Mommy, why is there paint on your back?" Now truthfully I had been staining furniture so that was entirely possible! As I turned to look at it in the mirror I saw what look like a small splatter of black paint on my back. After being unsuccessful at scrubbing it off I decided I would make an appointment with the dermatologist once all the kids were back in school. within weeks I could feel the tumor growing beneath my skin, soon after it ulcerated as my skin cells could not keep up with the rate of growth it was having.
I went into the doctors knowing it was some form of cancer. I had experience with family members spending time in the "cutting room" getting melanoma's and basil cell carcinomas removed. So when she took a biopsy and said I would have results in 2 weeks I thought nothing of it. I knew it would come back as something and it would be my turn in the cutting room....
This is were my story went in a direction I was not expecting. When my phone rang 2 days later and the Dr. herself was on the line at first I was naive and thought she was calling to schedule a follow up visit. The naivety continued when she asked me where I was, if I had someone with me. She then said " I am so sorry to have to tell you that it is cancerous. It is Melanoma." I was confused I didn't understand the concern in her voice, I thought she said 2 weeks not 2 days! I was ready to say ok when do I come in to have it cut out.....that's when she said "An Oncologist will be calling you in 20 minutes...." I'm sorry what was that....can you repeat that last part...."An Oncologist will be calling you in 20 minutes, again, Michelle I'm so sorry to have to tell you this."
She might have said more after this but I honestly didn't hear what she said. The voice in my head just kept saying "Why do I need an Oncologist?" I get off the phone and tell my husband who is working in the next room. I assure him that its not a big deal and I would let him know what the oncologist says. Exactly 20 minutes goes by and my phone rings again....Hello Michelle this is Dr. W I am with Texas Oncology, we have set up an appointment for you to come in this afternoon. Everything was happening so fast, I went in to see this new Dr. and was told I would be having surgery in a couple of days. I was informed of everything I would have to have tested, poked and prodded within the next couple of days and sent on my way.
Didn't they know.....I did NOT have time for CANCER!
Or that I am healthy! I eat right, I exercise, I have 4 kids!
Guess what, Cancer does not care.
Love is Meant to be an Adventure!
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ABOUT MEBorn and raised in Southern California. Being the middle of 5 children I had to make my presence known...so I began my acting career at the age of 3. My story has taken so many twists and turns along the way to be where I am now. I am grateful for each scar that has molded and shaped me. There are no regrets only opportunities for growth.
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