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 Kim Lashombe
- Skin Cancer Survivor
Today is a
beautiful day in Texas. It's 85 degrees and the
sun is shining bright! The sun always seems to
lift my spirits... especially on a beautiful
fall day. However, the way I view the sunshine
and a beautiful fall day is totally different
than how I viewed it two years ago.
Why you ask? Because I am skin cancer survivor.
In August 2005, I was diagnosed with melanoma
skin cancer. Melanoma is the deadliest form of
skin cancer. Once it penetrates the skin, it can
quickly spread to the lymph nodes and the rest
of the body. There is no cure once it spreads.
After I was initially diagnosed, I had to wait
an agonizing 10 days for another diagnosis and
surgery. During those ten days, I didn't know
how long I had left with my family. At that
time, my boys were 3 and 5 years old. I was only
35. I was more worried about them having to see
me go through this horrible cancer than I was
about going through it myself. How was I going
to protect them from this? To them, I am Super
Mom! What was I going to do?
I did a lot of praying during that time and I
really reflected on my life. Have you heard Tim
McGraw's song Live Like You Were Dying? Well,
that song has a whole new meaning to me now.
Life is just so precious! Live it to the
fullest! During that time, I truly discovered
what wonderful friends I have. They were there
for me.
Now the great news... my surgeon was able to
remove the skin cancer 100%! Luckily, I made it
to the doctor in time before it spread to other
parts of my body. The melanoma had not gone
deeper in my skin. It had remained on the
surface. Thus, it was fully removed. I am
healed! I have a pretty large scar on my chin
where it was removed. But that doesn't really
bother me. I have a wonderful plastic surgeon
who is taking great care of me. I see my scar as
my badge of honor. I AM A SURVIVOR!
God gave me a second chance. Now, I feel I need
to really spread the word. I need to raise
awareness on the importance of protecting your
skin from the harmful sun's rays. My cancer
could have been avoided. My mom always told me
to wear sunscreen when I went out. But I never
thought it would happen to me. That stuff always
happens to other people. Yeah right! It can
happen to anyone.
When you go out in the sun, please wear
sunscreen! Put sunscreen on your children! They
have lots of years to go in the sun. Protect
them. I know it's sometimes an inconvenience to
stop what you're doing to put sunscreen on. But
just do it!
Remember my story. People die every day of skin
cancer. Don't be a statistic.
Avoid tanning beds! I used a tanning bed a
couple of summers while in college. Oh... how I
thought it was great. You see... I'm fair
skinned. I have always burned when I got out in
the sun. The tanning bed was a "miracle" (or so
I thought) to me. I was actually able to get a
beautiful tan in it. I really don't feel like I
abused it. I just used it briefly, but I
honestly believe it's the reason I got skin
cancer. I have asked numerous dermatologists if
they think that was the cause, but none of them
could say for sure. But they all said it could
have definitely contributed to it and to AVOID
tanning beds all together.
Go see a dermatologist if you have any spots on
you that you're unsure of. DON'T rely on your
primary care physician to diagnose you. I asked
two doctors about the "spot" on my chin. Neither
of them seemed too concerned. A dermatologist
knows what to look for. Don't wait another day
to make an appointment. Another day may be too
long.
If it were not for fundraisers and grassroots
efforts to raise money for research, I may not
be here today. Thanks to everyone who has
donated their time or money to support their
cause. |
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