KATE NICOLETTI

Stage:Stage I

My cancer was conceived the same time as my first child, or at least that’s how I remember it. Fortunately, I became a cancer survivor as she turned one.

I was always a freckle-covered child and grew up loving family beach vacations, the soccer field and time playing outside. In high school and college, I occasionally used a tanning bed but only to prepare for prom, spring break trips and a few weddings. I never thought too much of it. Now, I think about that all the time.

Fast forward a few years to when I was 25 and basking in the glow of my first pregnancy. As my tummy grew, so did a freckle on my stomach. Having gone to a dermatologist in the past after a family member had Basal and Squamous skin cancers removed, I knew to bring it up with the doctor. She assured me I had nothing to worry about and it was only growing because my skin was stretching and pigment changes are a normal part of pregnancy. I brought it up once or twice more but was again assured it wasn’t a concern.

Nine or so months later, I had a happy baby girl and finally got around to booking a routine physical for myself. My general practitioner didn’t like the looks of my freckle, which maintained its size, color, and raised texture even after my tummy flattened out. She encouraged me to go right to her doctor who had shaved off suspicious and cancerous moles on her. The sinking feeling began then.

I was called a week after my five minute in-office freckle removal and was told they had to send the results to a second lab. The sinking feeling grew. I was then called a few days later to come in right away, rather than wait until my scheduled follow up in a mere five days. What could be going on that they needed to see me so soon? The sinking feeling swelled.

As I suspected, the biopsy didn’t come back clean. In fact, I was scheduled for a sentinel lymph node mapping procedure and a day surgery where more skin would be taken out to ensure there were wide enough margins around the cancerous freckle. My scar went from the size of a dime to a five inch horizontal gash between my belly button and ribs. As I celebrated my daughters first birthday, I recovered from surgery and awaited the follow up visit to see whether the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes.
I’m so fortunate that my survivor story started at that follow up visit. There were no additional melanoma cells present and I was prescribed visits to the dermatologist every six months for the next 10 years.

I recently birthed my second daughter and celebrated my one year anniversary of having the melanoma removed. My world has changed quite a bit since I became a mother and cancer survivor. Beach vacations now involve long sleeved swim cover-ups and nap times inside during the peak sun hours of 10am-2pm. My time is now spent educating others about safe sun practice all while juggling work, my sweet girls, sunscreen and a thankful smile for how lucky I turned out. I joined IMPACT Melanoma’s Survivors Speaker Bureau which provides me with the opportunity to speak to high school and college students with the goal of preventing, educating and supporting people about skin cancer before it’s too late. The major lesson my Melanoma taught me was that you have to be your own biggest advocate when it comes to your health. Doctors don’t know your skin as well as you do so self checks are important. When something doesn’t feel or look right, it’s up to you to push the issue with your health care provider. Above all, cancer does not have to be a death sentence but rather a catalyst for change and opportunity to impact others.