Living

In March of 2007, I had my first skin cancer excision--the first of many procedures to remove cancerous lesions. Almost fourteen years later, a biopsy on my collar bone came...

Far too many people think that skin cancer is no big deal. After all, it’s "just" skin cancer, right? Those of us who have had skin cancer know this is...

Self-care has become an important thing lately, especially for our generation. There are a lot of different activities that can constitute self-care, and of course, they vary by individual. I...

I think I have a new least-favorite spot for skin cancer removal: squamous cell carcinoma on my nose. It’s the same spot where a big pimple appears during your teen...

Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer and is frequently caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, either from exposure to tanning beds or to sunlight, and is frequently found...

When I was first diagnosed with melanoma I did exactly what every doctor would recommend you don’t do: I Googled absolutely everything. By looking up skin cancer statistics I learned...

Golfers and skin cancer have an unfortunate link, with the disease being termed "golf's silent killer." Many golfers hope for a sunny day on the course, not realizing how much...

Surgery was the best treatment option for my diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, or DFSP, and I required two surgeries 6 weeks apart for the pathology report to deem me cancer-free...

One of my favorite Facebook groups centers around The Office. Daily memes and quips posted by members keep me in stitches--it’s my family’s favorite series. I regularly find myself laughing...

After having two surgeries for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), a rare form of skin cancer, I now have a larger body with more scars. The result of the surgeries is that...

I don’t drink a lot of caffeine. In fact, most days I drink no caffeine. My favorite drink is water. Plain, unflavored water. There are some days when I am...

Medical science has had many improvements over the years and there is testing for things you never could in the past. Not only are certain tests informational, but some can...

You say you’re not surprised - That I should have seen it coming. You say I got what I deserved And you won’t listen to what I try to say.You...

in February 2021, I was diagnosed with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. DFSP is a rare form of skin cancer, considered a sarcoma, that affects 1 in 1 million people. The golf ball-sized...

If you've had skin cancer, then you know how important early detection is to prevent further damage. Mine started with a place on my face that looked like a clear...

Three weeks ago, I went to the dermatologist for a recheck on a spot she had frozen off a few months earlier. I wasn’t particularly nervous, because she had called it...

Let’s face it. There is a long, overwhelming list of things life for which life should offer an instruction manual. Parenting is probably the first one on the list. Along...

The Person Before Patient Survey is now closed. Thank you for your interest! What makes us the people we are? Living with a serious health condition like skin cancer can...

Nothing changes if nothing changes. I have heard those words many times over the last few years, and I even have a t-shirt bearing the same quote. The words are...

Sometimes it happens. You're seeing a doctor you love, one who knows all about your medical history, and you easily converse with them about your care. Then for whatever reason...