My name is Tallea. I am 23 and just had my 1st kid in July. He is my whole world. At the beginning of my pregnancy I noticed an odd looking mole on my left leg. It was oddly shaped and colored. My OBGYN said it was not concerning. At the end of my last trimester she decided to finally refer me to a dermatologist. The biopsy came back as malignant melanoma type 2b. This type of melanoma spreads quickly thru out the body. I just had surgery in Oct. 27th to remove the rest of the original tumor from my leg and to biopsy my lymph node nearest to it. With the placement of the tumor I will need to see a plastic surgeon due to not having enough skin to close the wound. Until then they placed a wound vac that has taken over my everyday life.

The biopsy came back and currently places me at Stage 3B. This could change after I have my full body PET scan and brain MRI. I will be starting immunotherapy soon. This is very hard on my little family mentally, emotionally and financially. I am very lucky to have a very loving and supportive husband, family and friends.

This journey is about to take a financial hit on my family with going through treatments with the fear of me having to take a step back from work and having to travel for treatments.

Anything will help! Thank you❤️

-Tallea Cotten