My battle with Melanoma started 5 years ago.  I found a mole, thinking nothing of it, and had it removed.  It came back as Nodular Melanoma, and after a second surgery, margins and lymph nodes were clear.  Things seemed to be fine, however 4 years later, in 2019, cancer was found in my left groin.  

I was refered to the University of Michigan to have a lymp node disection in late April.  After this surgery, we found a mass in my brain.  I was given a round of radiation to the spot and all seemed well.  But we are finding that things with Melanoma are never simple or easy.  The spot grew back and was now bigger than it was before the radiation.  We did watch the spot for a couple months hoping that it was simply swelling, but in early April I went to Metro Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI and had the mass removed, which did come back as more cancer.  

In May, I then started to have upper abdominal pain.  This turned out to be Pancreatitis and Gall Stones.  We opted at this time to have my Gallbladder removed in hopes that the symptoms would subside.  However, we have now found a spot on my Pancreas.  I underwent a biopsy for this last week, and it appers to be additional spreading of Cancer, and will likely be another surgery.  

Through all of this, God reamains faithful and good.  I have an amazingly supportive husband, a beautiful daugher, and a steadfast support system.  The prayers from my family and supports has been constant and unfailing, and I thank God that he has put them in my path to keep me taking steps forward to beat cancer. 

However our funds for these procedures and surgeries are short and the bills are due.  Working for a local school district, I am not paid in the summer months, and due to Corona Virus, I am not sure that I even have a job in the fall.  

Thank you for reading my Melanoma journey.  It is not over and I plan to beat this again, just like I have done these last few years.