Playing in the rain and the SCARY "C" Word!!

Sorry these pictures are not too good but they were taken on my phone. We have had some rain over the last few days and the girls wanted to go out and play in the puddles so my wonderful mother in law who was watching them on Monday let them jump in the puddles. I love when my mother in law or mom babysits for a few because they allow them to do thing I would not necessarily let them do. Like getting soaking wet and playing their hearts out in the puddles-- I would probably just not even thought of it, but my mother in law suggested they jump around to get some energy out and so they did. When I got home from testing a kid, this is what I found-- and the girls were loving it!!!!

They were soaking wet!!

But having so much fun!!!

The girls had been playing like this all morning and Mary had brought them all kinds of things to do. Finley loved the cup stilts and she did it very well. They also did puzzles, games, read books and played with play dough and bubbles. Overall, they had a blast. This was the second time we had left Finley-- the first was with my mom and dad on Friday night so we could get a date night-- and this was the second because Kev was at work and I needed to test a kid for a few hours. It was not for long but the girls and Mary loved it!!!

Now on a serious note. About 2 weeks ago I decided to go to the dermatologist to get a skin check. I am a freckled fair skinned person who has grown up in the sun worshipping southern California. There was one spot on my shoulder that just looked like a typical freckle but it was darker than my other freckles and it looked like it might be growing larger. When I saw the dermatologist she thought it was nothing but since it bugged me she shaved it off but thought it was nothing to worry about. Well, on Monday I got the call that the pathology report had come back and the small freckle was in fact a malignant melanoma-- skin cancer-- the worst type that kills people in my age range. In fact, melanoma is the #1 cancer killer of people between ages 21 to 45. At first I thought-- doesn't everyone get skin cancer? But upon talking to my doctor friends (Laila and Laura) I realized how serious it is. I was told story after story of people my age and a lot younger that had a little mole or freckle and it ended up being melanoma and it had spread to their lymph nodes and many of these people died. When I realized how serious this was, I started freaking out a bit. My mom who is my primary care doctors nurse was able to get the pathology report which scared me even more since it said that the melanoma was growing downward which is not good. I was pretty scared at first but spoke with the dermatologist the next morning and found out that we caught the melanoma very early and it is only stage 1 at this point. She needs me to come in Monday to get the rest of it out because they did not have clear margins (they didn't get it all) on the biopsy. So they are going to have to dig out the rest of the melanoma and send it to the lab and make sure they got it all. The DR. feels very confident that they will get it all but I will have one heck of a scar on my back which I could care less about. Anyway, what this makes me realize is that we all need to be aware of this and get checked often. I will now have to be checked every 3 months forever to make sure I don't have any new melanoma's. If you have not been checked or are scared to get checked, please go and do so. If I would not have gone in with this freckle or would have waited another year, it could have spread to my vital organs or lymph system and I might be looking at a very different prognosis. It is very important to get checked and if you are suspicious of ANYTHING, have them biopsy it.

Below is some info on Melanoma. Please read it and check the at risk symptoms because I have most of them (except I have very few moles but lots of freckles and no family history). I would appreciate prayer regarding this. I go in Monday for them to remove the rest of it but please pray they get it all and that it does not return. Thank you all very much and please read on.

Melanoma Fact Sheet Home Media Melanoma Fact Sheet

Q. What is melanoma?

A. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. Melanomas might appear on the skin suddenly, but they also can develop on an existing mole. The overall number of melanoma cases continues to rise.

Q. Is melanoma a serious disease?

A. Approximately 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.1 Advanced melanoma spreads to lymph nodes and internal organs and may result in death. One American dies from melanoma almost every hour.1 Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common cancer in adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.2 If detected and treated before it reaches the lymph nodes, melanoma patients have a 98 percent five-year survival rate.1 Five-year survival rates for regional- (lymph nodes) and distant- (other organs/lymph nodes) stage melanomas are 62 percent and 15 percent, respectively.1

Q. How many people will develop melanoma this year?

A. It is estimated that there will be 114,900 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in the United States in 2010 — 46,770 noninvasive (in situ) and 68,130 invasive. In 2010, about 38,870 men and 29,260 women will be diagnosed with invasive melanoma.1

In addition, 8,700 people are expected to die from melanoma — 5,670 men and 3,030 women.1

Q. What causes melanoma?

A. Excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun is the most important preventable cause of all skin cancers, including melanoma. People who live close to the equator where the sunlight is more intense are more likely to develop melanoma than those in other regions. Not all melanomas are exclusively sun-related — other possible influences include genetic factors and immune system deficiencies.

Q. Who gets melanoma?

A. Melanoma can strike anyone. Caucasians are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than other races. However, even among Caucasians, certain individuals are at higher risk than others.1 For example:

◦You have a substantially increased risk of developing melanoma if you have greater than 50 moles, large moles, or atypical (unusual) moles.
◦Your risk is increased if a blood relative (e.g., your parents, children, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles) has had melanoma.
◦If you are a Caucasian who has fair skin, your risk is higher than a Caucasian who has olive skin.
◦Redheads and blondes have a higher risk of developing melanoma. Blue or green eyes also increase your risk of developing melanoma.
◦Your chances increase significantly if you've already had a previous melanoma, but also increase if you have had either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, the more common forms of skin cancer.5-7
◦Your risk for melanoma might also be increased if you have had other previous cancers, such as breast or thyroid cancer.8-11

Q. What are atypical moles?

A. Most people have moles (also known as nevi). Atypical moles are unusual moles that are generally larger than normal moles, are variable in color, often have irregular borders and might occur in far greater number than regular moles. Atypical moles occur most often on the upper back, torso, lower legs, head and neck. It is important to recognize that atypical moles are not limited to any specific body area — they can occur anywhere. The presence of atypical moles is an important clinical risk factor for melanoma developing in a mole or on apparently normal skin.

Q. What does melanoma look like?

A. Recognition of changes in the skin is the best way to detect early melanoma. They most frequently appear on the upper back, torso, lower legs, head and neck.3 In females 15-29 years old, the torso is the most common location for developing melanoma, which might be due to high-risk tanning behaviors.3 If you have a changing mole, a new mole, or a mole that is different, see a dermatologist as soon as possible.

If you notice a mole on your skin, you should follow the simple ABCDE rule, which outlines the warning signs of melanoma:

◦Asymmetry: One half does not match the other half.
◦Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
◦Color: The pigmentation is not uniform. Different shades of tan, brown, or black are often present. Dashes of red, white, and blue can add to the mottled appearance.
◦Diameter: Melanomas usually are greater than 6mm in diameter when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.
◦Evolving: A mole or skin lesion looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.

The American Academy of Dermatology urges everyone to examine their skin regularly. This means looking over your entire body including your back, your scalp, your palms, your soles and between your toes. If you notice a mole that is different from others, or that changes, itches, or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6mm, you should make an appointment to see a dermatologist as soon as possible.

Q. Can melanoma be cured?

A. When detected in its earliest stages, melanoma is highly curable. The average five-year survival rate for individuals whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98 percent.1

Early detection is essential; there is a direct correlation between the thickness of the melanoma and survival rate. Dermatologists recommend a regular self-examination of the skin to detect changes in its appearance. Additionally, patients with risk factors should have a complete skin examination by a dermatologist annually. Anyone with a changing, suspicious or unusual mole or blemish should be examined as soon as possible. Individuals with a history of melanoma should have a full-body exam at least annually and perform monthly self-exams for new and changing moles.12

Q. Can melanoma be prevented?

A. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma.1,13 You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here's how to Be Sun Smart®:

◦Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 to all exposed skin. "Broad-spectrum" provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
◦Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.
◦Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
◦Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen.
◦Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.
◦Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.6

◦Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
◦Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.