annakeyes

When I was diagnosed at 19, the most common response I heard from friends, family, and strangers was, "But you're so young!!" They were right, I was so young, and I...

I remember hearing the chorus “I can’t feel my face when I’m with you” during my journey with cancer. Since my melanoma chose to take over my cheek, my dermatologist...

I was 19 when I was diagnosed with melanoma. After several surgeries and many, many stitches, I became NED (No evidence of Disease). For a while, I had skin checks...

We've all been in a meeting, a presentation, a class where we've been challenged to create an "Elevator Speech." I've had an elevator speech in my mind for a very...

"Everything off but your underwear, gown open to the back. We'll be back to get started in a few" - who knew these words would become as second nature to...

"Get Naked, Get Checked." I've said this statement multiple times, trying to encourage people to get a skin check. I don't know if I'll ever stop saying it. However, we...

About 4 months ago, I was asked to go on a spring break trip. It wasn’t skiing, it wasn’t hiking, it was 7 days on a cruise ship making stops...

After I was diagnosed and finished the battle, the next scariest thought was, “How do I explain to my next boyfriend that it may not be my last battle?” The...

You did it. You survived this battle. You have the scars to prove it, the battle wounds. But what happens, when that's not all you leave the hospital with? Survivor's...

3 rings. That's all it took before I answered the contact-less, but familiar, number on my phone. The woman on the other side seemed calm and unfazed as she broke...

Being a survivor is hard work. You expect this overwhelming relief when the surgeons finally get it all. You anticipate that day to welcome the new found hope and ability...

If I've learned anything, it's that timing truly is everything. My roommate sophomore year of college was in charge of our campus Relay for Life, so to show support, my...