Remember that old saying, “Be careful what you wish for?” My last post, After Scotland, ended with the words: “I’m ready for what’s next. I’m ready for ‘after Scotland.'”
I was thinking about moving forward with love and no longer being underemployed when I wrote that. I was thinking about how I needed to practice strong faith and leap instead of crawl into the future. Instead, my first big, “after Scotland” turned out to be a melanoma diagnosis about two weeks after we got back. Not exactly the news one wants to hear.
Life has slowed down and sped up all at the same time since hearing that the word cancer is now a word that applies to me.
Cancer is a horrible disease in many forms, and no one is immune to it’s power. Statistically, it is hard to stay out of it’s reach. We all know someone who has it, who has died of it, or someone who is battling it.
Mine came from a mole, one that seemed harmless at first, but then changed. This year at my early summer check up, my primary doctor sent me to a dermatologist after taking another look at the growing perpertrator. I had to reschedule the appointment to after Scotland of course.
With one look (and a confirming biopsy), the dermatologist knew it could be melanoma. Melanoma.
My mom’s best friend died tragically of melanoma. She left behind her family. My aunt had melanoma 10 years ago, but she beat it. Stories and history started coming in as I shared the news with friends and family. And prayers began to be lifted.
My MelaNoMore box
The loving response was very humbling. My dear friend Bryanne sent me a “MelaNoMore” box filled with sweet girly things for Emma and I. So I dubbed her CEO of Team MelaNoMore, and those closest to me joined the team.
Three women in my family were anointed on the same Sunday–all hopeful, faith-filled women praying for healing. I confess that I wasn’t sure what to pray for. I find in this season of my life, it is hard to pray. But I won’t deny I have seen the power of prayer.
And so, my surgery was on September 15th. My tumor was removed, as were 4 lymph nodes that all tested negative. The news came just this Tuesday that I am cancer free.
My cancer story seems to have ended as quickly as it began. There will be check ups every 3 months now and regular visits with the dermatologist and my surgical oncologist for the next couple of years. I anticipate that like my aunt, I will be looking back 10 years from now on a time that was unexpected but that ended well.
I am still processing all that has happened over the last few short weeks. We held our breath for a while. Life took this crazy turn, and once again the future was on hold.
Do I dare to dream or wish again for the future that I was so ready to leap toward after Scotland? I’m immensely grateful that I’m done with cancer for now. Perhaps with continued healing and renewed peace, I can hope once more.
I pray for those that continue the battle. If you are battling melanoma, please let me know. I have a brilliant CEO standing by, and we will pray for your own #melaNomore story as many prayed for me.
Kim Messer 