Updates.

Ali ~ best wishes, thoughts and prayers are with you. I have been reading your blog for a long time, but have never posted. I just thought you might need a bit of encouragement today. DH went through something similar this summer, so I can somewhat relate. I'm always telling him it's better to err on the side of life...
Anyway, you are a total inspiration to me as a scrapbooker, wife, mother, and a strong woman. As my word this year, I chose DETERMINATION. It fits every aspect of my life, and will encourage me to get so much done and be a much better person.
Thank you for inspiring me!
Beth

I am so glad you are taking care of this. I was diagnosed with melanoma in October and had a 2x8 inch section taken off the side of my face. I gladly accepted the scar in return for my life. I am a single mom of 3(one with Autism) and I have children to raise. My melanoma was thin and 95% survival with excision! I had put off having it looked at and now I am a big advocate of people getting checked regularly. My children now are more at risk since I have been diagnosed. I have had to make some life changes but my life is worth it! My word is going to be LIVE! I am going to "live" each day to the fullest and make sure to do things I have always wanted to do and not put things off. I am going to "LIVE"! Shelley

You and your family are in my thoughts & prayers! Regarding your moles...well, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed! I work for a GP, and I might add, all melanomas or skin cancers for that fact look like moles! And I can vouch for that! I had a pearlescent patch on my cheek, which had been there for many years. I had it evaluated by two of the GP's I work for; they said it was nothing. I had it through my first pregnancy, and 18 months after I had my daughter, I went to a dermatologist for an evaluation of dry skin...on my feet. The derm dr. took one look at the lesion on my face, which I had not even mentioned to him, and he told me that he wanted to biopsy it that day. Well, turns out, I had had a basal cell carcinoma - I suppose it's the "best" skin cancer to have! It was removed, and to this day, I haven't had any more. But I mention this, as I have also seen many melanomas, and one was a pearlescent lesion.
Onto another subject, I took your "everyday life" class at CKU in Orlando back in October! I loved it! You truly are amazing!

I totally agree with you on the moles. I took my 17 year old daughter this morning for a "mole check". She had some "questionable" looking ones on her chest. GOOD NEWS. They were fine but she has opted to have them removed. 15 year old son is next for his "mole check". We get our teeth cleaned, our yearly paps and mammograms. Add this to your list of things to do. It just takes a few minutes.

Hi Ali,
You are in my prayers and I am sure that all is going to be just fine. I want to THANK YOU for reminding me to get checked. I had a biopsy done over a week ago on one of my moles because the dermatologist said it looked a bit irregular. I'll know how it all came out soon, but everyone does need to get checked. It's so much better to be safe than sorry.
As for my 2008 word, I picked ENERGY. Energy can be defined as 1 a: dynamic quality b: the capacity of acting or being active c: a usually positive spiritual force. I hope to have more energy and be able to energize those around me. I want to be stronger and more active, enjoy my life more, be free of so many worries, and focus on what's important and that includes starting a family one day soon. Here's to more physical and spiritual energy in 2008!

ali. oh, i hope everything works out okay for you. better than okay! thanks for the reminder. my mother is going through the same thing as you. a very real reminder for me as well. also ... the words. i have kidnapped your idea. for my own blog. love this whole concept. leslie.

Keeping you & your guys in my prayers. My husband has several moles that he is convinced "are fine." I want proof. I'll be on him about going to the Dr. even more now!
Big hugs!!
Laura

Ali, good for you for sharing your experiences at the dermatologist's office. (I thought the self-portrait was interesting, as well!) After my youth seeking the incredible tan, at 40 I went through radiation therapy to keep my eyelid after a basal cell was removed. I can't encouraged people enough. DON'T just live for today; take care of yourself today for tomorrow.
On a happier note, I have chosen LIFE as my word for 2008. MY life, WILD life (lots of birds and critters here in Florida), ETERNAL life. Treasure LIFE.

Ali, Glad to hear you are taking care of yourself. I do hope that all will be well. I had gone to the Dermatologist once and she like freaked out and insisted that I had a certain mole removed right away. It really scared me!! Turns out it was fine.
Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you.
Lisa

Hi Ali,
I am about to embark on the whole mole inspection process. Not looking forward to it (I have a few weird ones) but your prompting is making me feel more proactive about it. My dermatologist is not shy with what he removes but I'm thinking the way you are - a back full of scars is not such a bad thing.
Sorry you are having to go through all of this but happy that you are handling it and getting proper treatment.
Best wishes and healthy, healing vibes coming across the miles to you.
P.S. So nice that Chris went with you - he rocks!

Thanks for the "365" photo suggestion. I have successfully completed Day 2!
Hoping I can carry it through.
Photographed my husband at the airport today leaving for a trip. Just an everyday event documented for the project!
Thanks also for the skin care advice. Us moms need to take better care of ourselves!

Hi Ali,
There was a show recently on Oprah with Dr. Oz that talked about moles and melanoma and to get these checked out. I have many moles on my body several on my back. A few seem a bit suspicious. Your post a few weeks ago was a sign to me to make that call and have them checked out. I contacted my doctor to look into it. Tomorrow I'll call to make the appointment. Thanks for the reminder!

I'm sorry you are going through this. My prayers are with you and your family!

Wow Ali...thanks so much for sharing with all of us. We have been touched with cancer in our family recently and it's nice to get support. You and your family are in my prayers,
-Karla

Hope all is ok with your moles.
My word for the year is Journey. This is the first time in 10 years all my kids will be at school-eek! So its a journey back to me!

great photo your dog looks quite fun. Love the perspective of the photo. Good luck with the dermatologist appointment.
I've also been inspired to try a one little word. I sent my mom the link to last year's post because I thought it might help her move forward this year since her divorce is almost finalized after 43 years of marriage. She decided to select the word RISK.
I've thought and thought about my word. I finally narrowed it down to BELIEVE.
Thanks for the continued inspiration.

I just wanted to give you a big cyber hug. I have a "connect-the-scars" back myself, after having my melanoma removed in 2004. I go for my yearly appointment on Friday, and like you, would rather have all the questionable ones removed rather than have them "go bad" later on.
Wishing you good health in 2008!

Ali, you are in our thoughts.. its all good you'll be fine and better than ever!
and my word is CALM time to get over my anxiety!

Ali, I would give you a hug if I could. I'm praying for you and thinking of you. It's so sweet of you to keep us posted.

Sound advice! Getting things checked out is always a simple way to keep yourself healthy.
My word for 2008 is 'harmonize'... I wanted to go with organize (since I need to organize much more than I do now!) but that sounded harsh.... harmonize makes me think about getting everything to just the right level for ME... not too organized, not too sloppy... just perfect.. harmony.