KATIE NEHRING

Stage:Stage I

I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma during the summer before my senior year of high school. At the time I had no idea what melanoma was. My mom noticed an irregular mole on my back while, ironically, applying sunscreen. We had it checked out and lo and behind it was cancer. No one really explained to me the seriousness of my diagnosis, but I happened to be working at a library at the time. I did my own research and remember sitting in between the stacks crying and in shock.

I missed the first 2 weeks of my senior year and my surgery was on my best friend’s birthday. I also missed my cousin’s wedding and couldn’t play my last season of soccer. That alone would make the average teenager pretty annoyed and unhappy. Looking back I really can’t believe that it even happened.

Now, at 29, I go to the dermatologist at least twice a year and I can’t shut up about how anti-tanning I am. I’ve lost track of how many moles I’ve had removed and biopsied. I will spend the rest of my life freaking out whenever I forget my sunblock at home or miss a spot and get a minor burn.

With all of that being said, there is a bright side. An extremely bright side. I am now very educated and outspoken about the disease. I am so grateful that my cancer did not spread and, as of today, has not returned. I love my life and am getting married next year. That may never have been possible had my mom not found that fateful mole.

I have never told my story from beginning to end so I hope that it helps someone who is going through a similar experience. I will now leave you with two awesome quotes:

“When it rains it pours and when it shines you get melanoma.” – Sol Luckman

“The indignity of having to wear suntan lotion pales in comparison to getting skin cancer.” – Jarod Kintz