Time is a Gift Five weeks after melanoma had weakened Kels body to death, I met Gustavo. He breathed & exhibited life, much like Kelly, and I knew it was more than a chance meeting. Weeks after getting to know him better, I would learn that years earlier Gustavo had feared for his Mommas life. She was diagnosed with melanoma about eight years ago, and just like Kel, it was located on the chin, but hers was on the left side. During a routine physical exam, her family doctor advised her to go to a dermatologist because an area on her chin looked very suspicious. A biopsy confirmed that it was melanoma and within five days she underwent surgery to remove it. She was told that if she had waited even a year, the cancer would have most likely grown all over her face. Her hospital stay was brief, but follow up visits were daily; then every 15 days; 30 days; 60; 90; six months and finally, just once a year. Momma Epy was given three oral prescriptions - chemo, I found out during Kels journey, can be taken orally, and though neither Momma nor Gustavo can recall if they referred to her meds as chemo, she was encouraged to continue two meds for three months and the third med for one year... with continuous observation. Epys story is much like many her age and upbringing. She worked in the fields as a cultivator, doing everything necessary to provide for her family. Her melanoma was traced back to her sun exposure from years earlier. Though she took some precautions, like wearing hats, she said if she had known then what she knows now she would have covered every bit of skin with clothing. Some may find a person shielding them self from the sun as a ridiculous paranoid practice, but until you know the fear that melanoma can invoke, I suggest you take note from that umbrella user & fully clothed person that walks in the sunlight. Epys last exam just happened to be earlier this month - melanoma awareness month. She has been given another clean bill of health. Momma Epy advises that with all of these new skin protective products that are out there theres many things that people can do to protect oneself from from this silent killer. Her life has been forever altered by melanoma, and whatever damage that was done years ago can be unchanged. Fortunately, Gustavo has gotten to spend many more years with his Momma, and Ive gotten to know this special Lady... and may there be many years ahead for more memory making. Did you know that you can get sunburned through your clothing? You can. Which also means your child can. Protect your youth... yours and your childrens. A scar upon her chin is enough to remind her to take precaution; spending time with Gustavo makes those precautions all worth it ❤️
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 21:43:12 +0000
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