Happy Thanksgiving

As we begin the week of Thanksgiving I am reminded that I have so much to be thankful for. I have a great family and boyfriend, friends, a roof over my head, heat, food, clothes, the opportunity to get a higher education, and the pure, simple fact that I am here to celebrate it. As I feel every holiday reminds us of that, the in between is what gets us. The hussle and bussle of every day life, the little things that go wrong, etc. I love this time of year, which is evident by the fact I have been listening to Christmas music since the week of Halloween, but it also reminds me that I lost a loved one, who was dear to my heart a mere seven months ago and that no matter what he will not be here in the flesh to celebrate another Thanksgiving or Christmas with me. If feels like just yesterday I was spending Christmas with him last year and at the same time, like it was a million years ago. I was reflecting on this during my drive from school to home last week and I felt the sadness creep back into my heart. So often we take everything in life for granted. This bog is about my journey with melanoma, but in a broader light, my journey with cancer. His absence this holiday season reminds me that cancer is a beast and will take anyone. My hope is that you hold your loved ones closer this holiday season because we never know what the future holds. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the Black Friday deals, I know I will be! :)

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my best friend, the one who always has my back, the one who makes me laugh no matter what, the one who drives me nuts at times, but most importantly the love of my life that God gave me! I hope you have a fabulous birthday Nick! I love you more than you will ever know! <3

Unite and Conquer!

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My momma always told me, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." I guess some people were never told that as a kid, sadly.  Lately, Chelsea Price, blogger at Adventures with My Enemy Melanoma, has gained a few haters for sharing her views and trying to be an advocate. This is not cool and my momma would have told you to be quiet. It takes a great amount of courage, hope, and faith to share your opinions, life, thoughts, fears, etc. for the entire world to see.

"I can't tell you how difficult it has been to write about my melanoma diagnosis on a public blog. To admit to the world that I've had severe self-confidence issues as a teenager and young adult. My family can read this, my friends can read this, some girl I went to elementary school but I haven't talked to in 12 years can read this, my boss can read this, and the list goes on and on. Not to imply that I regret blogging. I've made wonderful friends, experienced catharsis in sharing what I've held inside for too long, and motivated a few strangers to take better care of their skin."-Katie Wilkes, blogger of Pretty in Pale

Katie writes it perfectly. We share our story, risk being criticized, and hope that others will hear us and take our words to heart, because we don't want you to be US. So please stop the negativity, it will get us no where. Cancer feeds off of negativity so why would you bring that into melanoma survivor's lives after they have had to hear the words no one wants to hear. Instead, let us unite, with positivity, and scare the living daylights out of cancer. Support each other and spread awareness, doing something good instead of something negative!

What can I say?!

I feel so bad for not writing in such a llllloooonnng time. I AM SORRY! School has been super, super busy because I am placed in a school with some pretty awesome kiddos :) This means exhausted nights and early sunrise mornings. One important piece of news is after my speech at the high school last week Monday I received a letter from one of the students. This is what she wrote:
      
       Dear Sam,
               I wanted to thank you again for coming in and speaking to our class about your experience with melanoma. What you said really hit home to me. The past two years I have burnt in the sun horribly. I also went tanning before a cruise..... This was before I knew about melanoma, and how dangerous and deadly it is. Now that I know and that I know how much I have increased my risk....I'm terrified. But I am so grateful. Hearing what you went through was a huge eye opener for me, and I can't thank you enough. I started checking my skin and I plan to wear sunblock every day I am outside. I don't mean to sound rude, so please don't take this the wrong way, but I don't want to be like you. I don't want to go through the horror and pain it causes... I don't want to die. I do however, want to learn from you and I have. I wish you the best Sam and good luck! You are an inspiration to us all :)

First of all, thank you to the moon and back sweet girl. I love her complete honesty and pure emotion in the letter. On top of that is was hand written! She amazes me and reminds me whole heartedly why I speak out. I do not want her or anyone else to have to face the challenges this beast brings; the worst of them all saying good bye to your loved one. Thank you for listening to the message!

Spreading the word!

This past Monday I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to the science classes at my local high school. The reason I asked to come/was invited, to speak by the human anatomy teacher was because they began the unit on the layers of the skin. I am so thankful for this opportunity and hope someone heard my message. Speaking engagements and advocating is so important especially since the passing of the beloved, beautiful, and inspiring Hillary Quinn Kind passed away the night before from melanoma at the age of 25, two days before her 26th birthday. She and many, many others are the reason we speak. So please check out the videos!

First part of the video.

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Proud to be a daughter

Just want to give a shout out to my brave momma who spoke about her experience with my melanoma diagnosis at our local high school. I am ssssssooooo very proud of you that you were able to share your thoughts and feelings openly. To Mr. Morford's class I will see you Monday! :) Bring your questions because I will be prepared with answers (at least I hope!) Excited to be talking with all of you. There has definitely been some hype! :)

Catching Up :)

I know, I know, I know, I haven't blogged in a REALLY long time. Sorry! Life has been just short of crazy around here lately! There are a couple of things I want to blog about tonight. First of all a huge shout out to Chelsea Price of Adventures With My Enemy Melanoma who spoke at The Skin Cancer Foundation Gala tonight. She helped raise awareness about this horrible beast who affects far too many people while getting to mingle with some celebs. She looked absolutely stunning! :)
 
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The second thing is I just started reading Pale Girl Speaks: A Year Uncovered by Hillary Fogelson. I am already connecting to the book and I am not even 20 pages in. Hillary says, "I told her everything a child never wants to have to tell a parent." She is refering to telling her she had cancer. I fet the exact same way when I had to tell my mom. It is heartbreaking. On a brighter note, I can't wait to delve deeper into the book.  Check out PaleGirl's website!

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My third and final thing I want to mention is the wedding I was so lucky to be able to attend and be a part of this past weekend. My boyfriend's brother just got married! Congratulations once again! Two reasons this makes it in the blog, 1) The bride looked gorgeous 2) This was the first big event I have attended since melanoma came into my life. Normally I would have tried to get bronze during the summer and then continue working on my tan at the tanning salon. Obviously that didn't happen this time, but more importanly I felt beautiful sporting my porcelain pale natural skin tone. When my mom and I were dress shopping this dress was the only one I told her I didn't feel like a pale ghost in. I think I am finally starting to embrace the real me :)