Tuesday 19 January 2016

Life saving change

This post is not about spanking sorry, so if you want to head off to others that's fine with me.  This is a very important topic though,  so hopefully it helps someone out there in blogland.

As of tomorrow Wednesday, 20th January I've been five years cancer free.  This is a huge milestone for my family and I.  So I tend to get on my soap box around this time every year in the hope that I can at least get through to someone how important this subject can be.  Posting this today as Bear is taking me out to celebrate tomorrow.



Over five years ago I was attending our lovely male family doctor.  My grandchildren used to play with what  they called Nanny's chocolate spot on my leg and tried desperately to pick it off.  It was so funny to watch them doing this.  So I asked my doctor about it and his answer was "Its one of those things you get when your aging."  Mind you I would have still been in my forties at this stage, so didn't consider myself as old.  Guess to him I was though, as he would have probably been in his mid 30s, BUT what a cheek!  Anyway I didn't think anything of it after this.

UNTIL quite a few years later when I changed clinics.  I was well over due for a pap smear as hated having them done.  Don't know about any of you but they used to embarrass me. There was a nice, young student doctor I saw at the new clinic who kept reminding me to have this procedure, which I still kept putting off. She talked to me about it and said she was leaving the clinic just before Christmas so have it done as I wouldn't see her again., therefore   no need to be embarrassed.

On Christmas eve I went for my appointment and she remarked on my chocolate spot.  I told her what my previous doctor had said.  Whilst doing the pap smear she questioned me more about it and said she wanted me to see the head doctor  for an immediate second opinion.  So I was sent to him straight away and he did a biopsy.  A week later, new years eve I went back for the results.  I was really scared what the outcome was going to be.

Luckily I took Bear with me as he told me I had a malignant melanoma.  I burst into tears as thought it was a death sentence, as my mum had died from cancer.  He told Bear and I to wait in his surgery until I'd calmed down, then he would talk further with us.  So when he returned he told us it was urgent I have surgery to have further investigation and rang around all his friends to get me in ASAP. In the time between, both Bear and I were devastated thinking about the outcome. I finally went to see a surgeon and was put on a short waiting list.

On 20th January I had a huge chunk  cut out of my leg just below my right knee.  I was bandaged from the top of my leg right down to my ankle to immobilise it, which made it look way worse than it was.  When I returned to have my stitches out the surgeon said I was very lucky to have had it caught at this point as it was really deep and if left any longer could have travelled throughout my body.

I found a fantastic support group and made friends with others in the same boat.  We have all been supportive of each other through this stressful and very scary journey.  Unfortunately a lot of my friends I've made through this group have since died from their cancers travelling.   I've since had to go back for yearly skin checks, had six more biopsies which have been benign, thank goodness and count myself very lucky.  Skin cancer is known as the deadliest form of cancer in Australia.  I'm grateful to the young student doctor who was on the ball that day and took immediate action.  Otherwise I could be six feet under pushing up daisies and not here enjoying everyone's posts.. This has certainly made us appreciate life more and enjoy each day to the max.

So the moral of this post is...... Please check your skin for anything that looks suspicious and go see your doctors.  Having regular skin checks can help save your life. Also remember when going out in the sun SLIP, SLOP, SLAP AND SLIDE.   Also be careful using sunbeds or solariums.  One of my friends got her melanoma through going to solariums for a tan thinking it was safer.

33 comments:

  1. Congratulations on 5 years cancer free, Lindy. My oldest DIL had a similar situation on her leg and is now going on 4 years cancer free. My brother is celebrating 16 years cancer free from stage 4 colorectal cancer. Thank you very much for the PSA...this is a very important topic! Sending positive energy for many more cancer free years!

    Hugs and blessings...Cat

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  2. Thank you so much Cat. Wow that is fabulous your brothers achievement of 16 years. Also you DIL going on 4 years, well done to both of them.

    Hugs Lindy

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  3. Hi Lindy, thank you so much for sharing your story with us and raising this very important topic. Congratulations on being 5 years cancer free, that is such wonderful news. Enjoy your celebration tomorrow :)

    Hugs
    Roz

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  4. Thanks Roz. I like to spread the word to help others. Looking forward so much to tomorrows special celebrations.
    Hugs Lindy

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  5. Thanks Lindy, Just last week Sam make an appointment with our dermatologist. I need to make my own appointment, too. We also live in a sunny clime.

    Glad to hear that you have had another good check-up. I know your Bear is as excited to celebrate as you are.

    Sending Hugs Downunder!!
    Ella

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    1. Thanks Ella. Good luck for yours and Sam's checks. Always a relief to be told you pass with flying colours.
      Bear is sure excited and happy he still has me around to spank. LOL!

      Hugs Lindy

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  6. Thanks for sharing your story...you will never know how many people you might have helped. HURRAH for you...have a wonderful celebration.
    hugs abby

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    1. Thanks Abby, even if I help one person it would make me happy.

      we had a lovely celebration.
      Hugs Lindy

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  7. Congratulations on your five years! When my mum was diagnosed with cancer I gave her a five year diary and she wrote in it every day. We celebrated when she reached the last page.
    Our weather here isn't as sunny, and I don't sunbathe much these days, but the Aussie slip slop slap is a good message whether you live.
    hugs
    DF

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    1. What a fantastic idea with the five year diary. Thanks DF, our sun is rather hot.
      Hugs Lindy

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  8. This is a wonderful post! I'm so happy for you and your whole family that this eventually turned out so well for you. We have a pool and although I don't spend too much time in the sun, I do go yearly to let a dermatologist check me over. Early detection is so important.

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    1. Thanks. Glad to hear you have a yearly check PK. It is best to catch anything early before it has a chance to spread.
      Hugs Lindy

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  9. Glad you're getting the message out there. Those of us who are "more mature" grew up lazing in the sun, getting as brown as possible, because tan was better. We're paying the price now. Ray has had several surgeries in the past couple of years. I'm with you in urging everyone not to ignore any brown spots (hint - they don't necessarily have to be brown)Get to the dermatoligist at least once a year.
    So glad you're still with us. Congratulations and enjoy your celebration of life.

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    1. Thanks Sunny we had a lovely celebration. Yes best to have regular checks to be on the safe side. Better than the alternative!
      Hugs Lindy

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  10. Hi Lindy, so glad you are five years free. As of January 1st I was 11 years free after my renal cancer. Every year is a bonus now and as I face surgery in the near future I as sure I will be okay, as I hope you will remain cancer free too.
    love Jan,xx

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    1. So happy for you to be 11 years cancer free Jan, that's wonderful. I was told once I hit the 5 year mark I would be home and hosed. Then told no still have to have regular checks. Hope your surgery goes well and I'm sure you will be ok. Sending positive healing vibes your way my friend.
      Hugs Lindy xx

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  11. Congrats on being cancer-free for five years, Lindy! No need to apologize for writing about a topic that isn't about spanking. The fact that you are healthy and happy means that there will be more spanking posts to come. =)

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    1. Thank you so much. It does mean that I will bore you all with my spanking posts in the future. LOL!

      Hugs Lindy

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  12. Lindy,

    Wonderful news. Congratulations on being cancer free for 5 years. I am so happy for you and your family. Thanks for reminding us, very import message.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

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    1. Thanks Ronnie, I like to put the message out there to help prevent others going through skin cancer.
      Hugs Lindy

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  13. Lindy,

    Wonderful news. Congratulations on being cancer free for 5 years. I am so happy for you and your family. Thanks for reminding us, very import message.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

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  14. It's your blog - you write what you want; even if it's not always about spanking.

    Congratulations on being cancer-free. What a scary thing.

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    1. Thanks Lea, it was scary but I had a good team backing me up all the way. Don't want to go down that track again.
      Hugs Lindy

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  15. Congratulations and glad your here!

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    1. Thanks Ryan, its so good to be here.
      Hugs Lindy

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  16. Hi Lindy,
    Thank you for adding me to your "circle". I am not quite sure what that means yet, but I am working on it. I am not technologically challenged...just social media! I am trying to find a way to contact you privately...suggestions.

    The reason I did not reply to this post originally is because I am going through a medical crisis of my own. Having lived a relatively healthy life suddenly I am loosing sensations in my hands and arms. It appears that 3 disks in my cervical spin are pinching my spinal cord and without radical surgery I will become tetraplegic! So on thursday week I go under the butchers knife. After that there is anything up to 6 weeks of rehabilitation....bugger!....and I may be incommunicado during that period.

    Anyway, on that happy note...Happy Oz day for tomorrow

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    1. Sending lots of prayers and healing energy for you Don! Please let us know how you are doing as soon as you can.

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

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    2. healing energy being sent your way...

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    3. Lindy, thank-you for sharing your story and reminding us all the importance of taking care of ourselves. I have never been to a dermatologist, but I will make sure to do so in the near future as I know early detection is vital and of course prevention is key. Congratulations on 5 years and wishing you good health for many many many more. :-) Love and hugs!

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    4. OM goodness Don that doesn't sound good. what is tetraplegic? I've heard of para and quadra but not tetra. Guess tomorrow is the big day so wishing you all the luck in the world. Sending positive healing vibes for a speedy recovery. You can contact me at lindylouthomas1979@gmail.com. Feel free to chat anytime.

      Hugs Lindy

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    5. Thank you Terps. It is very important to have regular checks. You don't want to leave anything that is suspicious too long. I used to think skin cancer was just on the surface of your skin. Never knew it can travel through your body. So for your husband and children's sake go have a skin check.
      Hugs Lindy

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  17. Just back tracking here since I read about Don!
    Congratulations on being cancer free for 5 years! Thank goodness you had a doctor that was on the ball! Wow!
    I am always conscious of the sun these days. I am very easily burned, plus these days too much sun and I become physically ill!

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    1. Thanks Minelle. I'm very grateful to the doctor who picked up my cancer. goodness knows what would have happened if she didn't.
      Not good you burn so easily and become physically ill. Make sure to always use a good sun cream and cover up as much as possible.
      Take care.
      Hugs Lindy

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