One year ago...

One year ago today I got the worst phone call of my life...

It was from my dermatologist's office and I was shocked to hear my doctor on the other end... (they usually make their nurses do the dirty work but my docotor knew how scared I was so she wanted to call me her self) The words I heard her speak hit me like a ton of bricks. "Kristen you have melanoma in situ"... I heard the word melanoma and I lost it. When I finally calmed down Shelley explained to me exactly what melanoma in situ is... It is indeed melanoma but a non-invasive melanoma. She informed me that I would need surgery to make sure they got it all and she told me they had a spot open for the next morning (Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving). I was at work when I got the call so I pulled it together, thanked Shelley for everything and for calling me herself and went to my supervisor's office to tell her that I would be out of the office the next day for surgery. I will skip the unpleasant details that surround that and fast forward to the next day. I had my whole family with me almost. My mom, Karmen, Zach, and Mrs. Kathy (Zach's mom)... I was taken back to the surgery area of my dermatologists office where I was promptly given a Valium and prepped for surgery. I was awake for the whole thing (numbed with local anesthesia)... I ended up with about 16 stitches and a 3 1/2 inch scar above my left boob. The coming weeks were hard, I could not use my left arm until my stitches were removed in mid-December. So clothing myself was hard and bathing myself was hard, washing my own hair was impossible. Zach helped me bathe and clothe myself and Karmen graciously washed and dried my hair for me...

Here I am, one year later, cancer free!!! And I am SO thankful for that!!!

On another note, I got a letter from Zach today! He said that he is losing a lot of weight and getting used to the schedule there. Only 28 more days and he will be in my arms again!!!

Have a fabulous evening!!!