JESSICA VAILLANCOURT

Stage:Stage I

My daughter saved my life. I went for a skin check and my dermatologist removed a mole off of my left upper arm. I thought nothing about it. A few weeks later I received a call that I had melanoma and that I needed to come into the office immediately for surgery until the margins were clear.
I was so afraid. My daughter was only a year old. I searched on the internet, and I found two extremes. Hope and despair.
I went through the surgery just fine. I have had many more moles and surgeries since, but I remain melanoma free at this time in my life. I wish I would have known growing up the they really do mean it when they say sunscreen is important. I feel like I was given a second chance after the birth of my daughter, because the only reason I went in for that skin check when I did was because I noticed that my moles had changed some after giving birth. Thank goodness I went in when I did. I am blessed!!