Paola Contini

Stage:Stage I

I first learned about the Impact Melanoma 5k Walk/Run in 2017 when I was in search of a 5k walk to honor my dad, who was fighting and diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016. His birthday is in September, and it was perfect a 5k walk taking place during the month of his birthday.

I signed up and brought along my close friend Katherine and my uncle. The energy of that day was incredible! The cheerleaders rooting us on as we walked along the course brought such energy to the walk. The remembrance posters along the last few steps of the course really had an impact on me as those who passed from Melanoma were remembered. I crossed that finish line and felt so much positive energy and was among such a great crowd of people.

Fast forward a few months.

I had recently noticed that an eraser head-sized spot that I had on the outer side of my left foot just below my ankle had started to look suspicious. I had always thought of it as a birthmark, but recently it had been getting darker and larger. I had brought it up to my PCP during my physical and she was not concerned about it and so neither was I.

In late March of 2018, I decided to have the spot looked at again by my dermatologist. Unsure of what it was, she recommended a quick in-office biopsy. So a small amount of tissue was taken and sent to the lab for review. Daydreaming at work one day after a long Winter, I found myself looking up vacations to Bermuda. Seconds later my phone rang… it was my dermatologist…..my biopsy indicated Melanoma. I was shocked and speechless. I let those words sink in, and I am not even sure how the conversation ended. Unable to continue to be at work with tears filling up in my eyes, I had to leave work and go home to process this news.

A few weeks later and two opinions from two oncologists, my decision was to have surgery at MGH. The surgery went well, and my Melanoma was staged as a 1A occurrence. What was to follow I did not expect nor do I think I was ready for. After a few days in bed, I could not move around very easily, and the crutches that were given to me were impossible for me to figure out. I made the best of the situation and managed to get around minimally, and with the help of my boyfriend who set up his laptop and worked from my dining room for several days – his help was priceless. A few days later my bandage was to be taken off, and as my boyfriend did that for me what I saw brought instant tears to my eyes, my incision was about 4” long for something that was again the size of a pencil eraser. I was told that they would have to go beyond the site and grab all margins but to have seen the incision after the fact truly is different than what has been told to you. When the scab disappeared, so did the look of my incision. It became a thin line that now is hardly noticeable!

As walking continued to be very difficult as my incision was pulled tightly together as there is not much skin below your ankle, I came up with the idea of a scooter to help me get around the house. It certainly did make a difference. Once I got my stitches out walking was nearly impossible as I could not put my foot down flat, it was like I had forgotten to walk!

I asked my surgeons PA to make a referral for in house physical therapy which was approved, and after a few weeks of therapy, I was now in a walking shoe and walking with a walker. I was able to lose the walker after a few more weeks. I was walking again!

During this time of being home alone and thinking about what I had been through I needed to talk to someone who understood this journey that I was presented with. Friends and family could only offer so much. I searched on the internet and found Impact Melanoma.

I noticed that they had a buddy system in place and made a request for a buddy. After a few days, I was matched with another Melanoma survivor. Here I was talking to a complete stranger over the phone for well over an hour, and she understood my thoughts. For those who do not understand Melanoma or think it is not a big deal to have and you’re going to be just fine did not help me get through my situation. My buddy got it; she had been through it and with a good prognosis. Impact Melanoma helped during a dark time in my life.

After two months of being home, I returned to work in late June.
In September 2018, I again participated in the Impact Melanoma 5k walk because this time not only was it during my dad’s birthday, but this time I was walking as a survivor!!

My boyfriend and close friend Katherine joined me on this walk. Toward the end of the walk, I just had to experience crossing that finish line on my own, and yes tears did fall down my face! I did it I was back to myself.

My journey continues, and I am seen every six months for the next five years by my dermatologist and another dermatologist at MGH.

I am so grateful for Impact Melanoma and the help that they were able to provide when it was needed.