There are some moments in life that divide time into before and after. This was one of them.
What started as something I thought would be routine — just another appointment, just another check — quickly turned into one of the scariest experiences of my life.
Because suddenly… there was a word in the air that did not feel like it belonged to me. Melanoma. Even writing it now makes my stomach drop.
I am sharing this story for one reason: If you have been putting off getting your skin checked… please do not. Do it for me!
This is your sign.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, and melanoma is on of the most dangerous types. A yearly full-body skin check with a dermatologist can catch suspicious moles early — something before they become life threatening. I learned the hard way, and I do not want anyone else to learn it the way I did.
It Was On My Lower Back — A Place I Would Never See
Here is the part that still gives me chills: The mole was on my lower back — a place I would never see on my own.
Not in the mirror. Not while getting ready. Not even during my own self-checks.
It was not like I noticed it and said, “Hmm, that looks strange.”
It was simply… there. Quiet. Hidden.
And that is exactly why this matters so much. Some of the most dangerous things do not announce themselves loudly — they sit silently where we are not looking.
I Waited Four Months For The Dermatologist
This part is so important to share, because I know so many people will relate: I waited four months to get in to see the dermatologist. Four months.
Life was busy. The schedule was packed. It did not feel urgent enough to rearrange everything… and honestly, sometimes we put our own health last without even realizing we are doing it.
But looking back now, I realize: Waiting becomes a habit. And sometimes it becomes a risk.
She Took One Look And Did A Biopsy Immediately
When I finally got to the appointment, my dermatologist did not hesitate when she found the mole on my back. With melanoma on both sides of my family, she took a biopsy immediately.
No “let us watch it.”
No “come back in six months.”
It was quick. Efficient. Professional.
But emotionally? That is when my heart dropped. Because when a doctor moves that fast, you feel it in your whole body: This might be serious.
The Waiting Was Its Own Kind Of Trauma
After the biopsy, I had to wait two weeks for the results. And if you have ever waited for medical results — you know what that does to a person. It is like your life continues on the outside, but on the inside your mind is running 24/7. You start Googling (even when you swear you will not). You start imagining worst-case scenarios (even when you try to stay positive). You try to act normal while feeling anything but.
And the truth is: the waiting is trauma. It is fear in slow motion.
Then I Waited Three More Weeks For Surgery
When the results came back, I found out they had found pre-cancer cells, and for a period of time there was real concern it could be melanoma. And then… I had to wait again. Three more weeks for surgery. Those weeks were heavy. Because at that point, this was not just a “skin thing” anymore.
It became a deeper fear — the kind you carry in your chest. The kind that makes you think about your husband, your child, your future… and all the things you still want to do in this life. Also, I will not lie, the surgery was not fun. Because of the location of my incision on my lower back, it was difficult for me to walk and move for a couple of weeks from the pain of healing. Thankfully, the scar is in a place I will never see — others are not as lucky.
The Results Were Clear 🙏🏼
The results immediately came back clear. And I cannot even explain the relief. I felt grateful. I felt emotional. I felt like I could breathe again. But I also want to be honest: Even though I was “fine,” I was not the same after.
Because once you have stared down the possibility of melanoma, it changes you. It changes the way you think. It changes the way you respect time. And it changes the way you view your body — not as something to criticize, but as something to protect. My surgeon told me my back was a “ticking time bomb.” He said that if I had waited, I would probably be getting chemotherapy as I write this.
Why I Am Sharing This
I am sharing this because I know how easy it is to put your own health last.
Especially as women.
Especially as mothers.
Especially when you are taking care of everyone else.
But please hear me: Your health is not optional. Preventative care is not a luxury. Getting checked is not overreacting — it is self-respect. This experience scared me, but it also woke me up. And if this post encourages even ONE person to make that appointment, then telling my story is worth it.
PLEASE Do Not Wait: What I Want You To Know
If you have never had a skin check — or if you are overdue (I waited 15 years to get checked, so there is zero judgment here) — please let this be your reminder:
✅ Schedule annual skin checks
✅ Ask for a full-body exam
✅ Remember that some spots are in places you cannot see (like mine), I was told melanoma likes to hide in hair and in tattoos
✅ Do not ignore changes — even subtle ones
✅ Peace of mind is worth it
✅ Wear SPF (yes, even on cloudy days and in winter)
And please do not talk yourself out of it, because you feel silly or dramatic. You are not dramatic. You are wise.
My Loving Message To You
If you have been putting ANYTHING off, if you have been afraid, if you have been too busy… go make the appointment. This week. Because you matter. Because your family needs you. Because you deserve a long, healthy, beautiful life. And because sometimes the most loving thing you can do is stop waiting.
