Relay for Life~ Raising Melanoma Awareness

Maybe someday there will come a day that I don't think about melanoma.  In the meantime, I am going to keep spreading awareness, even if it takes me out of my comfort zone.  I was asked to speak at the Relay for Life today in town.  I didn't hesitate to say yes, but then I was thinking, "what are you doing!  You can't do this!"  I DID do it!  I didn't faint, puke or embarass myself at all!  I wrote a great speech and threw a lot of melanoma facts in there (since I had the chance!) and people came up to me all day telling me how wonderful my speech was!  Chalk up another victory for us warriors!

Relay for Life was amazing.  It was more than I expected.  I was hesitate to do it, but I am so glad I did.  I not only had an amazing opportunity to speak and share my story (as well as awareness for our little recognized melanoma), I also got to carry the banner and walk the survivor lap with my Mom who is a 6 year thyroid cancer survivor! I got to fell blessed once again for all the support of my amazing family.  My sister and nieces made a ton of awareness ribbons and my Mom and sister got T-shirts for us to wear.  My daughter and her boyfriend were amazing to spend their one free day this week with me for this.  They were so helpful and upbeat.  My fiance videotaped my speech and must have told me how proud he was a thousand times.  He is truly wonderful, not just today, but every day.

If the day wasn't going good enough as it was, I received a call from my new oncologist who told me that the mole I had biopsied was clear!  No stinking melanoma!  Now I just wait for the re-read on my slides, but he is pretty confident that they are going to be clear.  What a blessing!

I also saw a lot of people putting on sunscreen, seeking shade and wearing hats which made me SO happy!!  I did see a red-haired, young girl, putting on suntan OIL and sitting in the sun.  I have learned in the last year that you can't change people.  We just talked loudly about melanoma, and she finally went into her tent out of the sun and just looked at us.  I think she got the hint.  As my brother in law said, "You can't fix stupid."  Apparently not, since when we left, there was a guy with his shirt off laying in the grass suntanning.  I tried not to let it get to me, since I know I can't make people stop.  All I can do is give them the information and move on.  I can't get upset and downright depressed because not everyone listens to what I have to say.  I have learned not to take it personally if they still choose to fry themselves outdoors or indoors.  I can't fix stupid.  And in my opinion if you tan, knowing what I have told you, you are stupid.  I have seen too many mothers that have had to bury their children because of melanoma.  No mother should have to bury there child.  EVER. 

Today was a good day and now I should probably try to get at least 8  hours of sleep, which I have not been able to do in the last month!

Love to all!