The path.

Hi Ali
I too had melanoma and caught it early enough. I have a huge scar on my back, but it's a reminder to be careful and check often. I am so happy they caught it on time. I also celebrated my 21st anniversary on August 2nd!
Congratulations on your anniversary too. Thanks for your inspiration.
Sue

So glad you got tested early enough! Prayers that the doc gets all the cancer when you go back in. This is a good reminder for me to go get a few of mine checked!!!
Alyssa
P.S... Love the coast photo. We were just there last weekend!

I'm so glad you went and had it checked and it was caught early, ali. i'm so glad you're being proactive and many prayers for a healthy outcome :)

Love photo of you guys at the coast.
Glad that you went to get it checked out. I have been telling myself to do the same thing but haven't done so. I hate doctors, but it is better to be proactive and get things checked out before they get worse.
Thanks for sharing your story.

Oh, Ali! How scary, I'm so glad that you had it checked on early. :)

Here's a link to a great program for educators who want to teach students about sun exposure. Educators who sign up get a kit with classroom lessons and a frisbee that will turn purple once exposed to UV Radiation. I teach middle school and my students get a total kick out the frisbee ... very good visual to show the importance of sunblock and sun protection. You can pass this along to any educators you know (including Simon's teacher, if she doesn't already know about it)
http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/index.html

Ali, even though I already commented, i just thought of something that i read somewhere: "the path is not straight" it was triggered by your heading the path. I even painted crooked lines around the woodwork in my kitchen one time to remind me...=D

Ali, I just discovered your blog and am going to return for more. It is truly a delight, a very freeform style that I feel so comfortable lingering around.
I, too, had a melanoma removed last year, very small one on the back of my arm. I had simply decided I ought to book an appointment one day (since I spend a lot of time outdoors, and since I'm in my 30s) and, kablam, there it was. Fortuitous of me to randomly decide on scheduling an appointment. I go now every year, alsmot wondering whether it wouldn't be prudent to go twice in the same. Why not be paranoid? We're so vulnerable in our skin.
Yes, thanks for spreading the word.

That photo is perfect after your post the other day! Great job, Ali's mom!
I'm glad that you went to the doctor early and they can take care of it relatively easily. Take care.
Sue

Hi
I just stumbled across this site and wanted to show my admiration to a great person and an excellent parent, if only everyone responded to their children with the same love and Enthusiasm as you do. you have my utmost respect and admiration, And may I offer the best of luck for the future.
All the way from the U.K.
Loki

I realized this morning that the nice lady wasn't pointing out anything pertaining to this... but maybe she nudged you into the self-checking you've been doing. ;) I hope you're feeling ok. ((((((Hugs)))))) Make today a great day!

all about the early detection. in everything. hugs to you!

Thank goodness you went in! I am so glad for you and your family that these few health issues are being found and taken care of. That little boy is so lucky to have you as his mama.
Blessings
Tara

Thank God that you caught it in time...my prayers are with you. My hubby was sitting with me when I read your post and your post has prompted me to get a mole looked at that unbeknownst to me has gotten a little bigger since the last time I looked at it(it's in a spot I can't see very well, but hubby noticed) and skin cancer runs in my family. Will be calling for an appointment next week for sure. Thanks for sharing your story.

Sorry for the melanoma, but so glad for your proactivity. You've had quite a few things to deal with lately but I'm really happy for you that you were so aware of these things, took action, and that it was so caught early. You're a good role model! You're in my thoughts! Take care.

Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers as you proactively take care of your health. Such a great pic! The thing about this pic that struck me was look at each of your feet...you are all in step...very neat!!

Ali, thank goodness you had the moles checked. Isn't it funny how meeting that nice person in the garden shop started you on this path of health self discovery? It's always amazing to me how one person can make such a difference in life. Thanks for sharing.

so glad you caught it early!

Ali,
Just a quick thank you. Your posts inspired me to get a doctor to take a quick peak at a new mole. The biopsy came back abnormal for me too. Thanks for helping me to stop dragging my feet on taking care of the mom, while I rush aroung taking care of the family. I'm looking forward to the full body check next month to rule out others. Thanks for being the kick in the pants that I needed at that moment. Best of luck to you with your medical challenges these days. You'll be in my thoughts.

So glad you are being proactive on this! My hubby has an ongoing battle with basal cell carcinomas and has a regular check up, removal of moles and suspicious spots, etc. No fun. Most of them are on his head (not much hair up there!). But if you are vigilant, it does not need to disrupt your life.
Hugs to you, my friend!
xoxox
Lain