Thank you for the welcome. I am so glad I have found this site.
It was by pure accident that my Melanoma was found.

I took my then 3 year old daughter ( after we moved back to Australia) to a skin specialist as I was directed by our LA Paediatrician to have her cappuccino birth mark regularly checked.
I just happen to say to my daughter’s doctor, on my way out the door, would you mind taking a look at this for me!

He sent me straight to a specialist who took biopsy that day!

Biopsy came back and specialist called me at home on a Saturday evening and asked me to see if I could have the girls (my two daughters at that time. a single parent ) watched by neighbours while he spoke to me about the results.

Specialist had me booked for surgery on the following Monday.
As previously mentioned here, I had noticed this spot on my leg below the patella for just over 4 years but never thought anything about it while in LA.
The spot as I call it was no more than the size of a Dime.

I now have a 8” scar that is hardly visible.
Stage two Tumor. I cannot remember the depth that is measured etc…
No Chemo No Radiation. Just check ups initially every three months for a year. Then moved to twice a year.

I have been back to this magnificent Professor at a major Melanoma Centre called The Poche Centre in North Sydney if anyone here fro Au.

I have since that date in 1996, had three more melanoma’s.

My back is a road map of large scars with removal of one lymph node, and thankfully not spread.

I am now dealing with a very angry inflamed red raw Actinic Keratosis that appeared on my breast. Punch Biopsy done and now calling my Professor to see what indeed he would do, compared to my GP who can remove and send away for further Biopsy.

Only just saw my twice annual Dermatologist on 9/2 who said when I pointed out to him the red scaly 5mm inflammation, ‘Yes that’s nothing’ !!

With my History ‘ Nothing’ in my opinion, requires another set of eyes. !!
I hope people challenge/question/research opinions if your not comfortable with what you feel is off kilter.

Thank you for reading everyone as as we say in Australia
‘Slip Slop Slap’

Slipping on a Shirt
Slopping on SunScreen
and Slapping on a hat.

We also have a Country Wide regulation for all schools.

No Hat, No Play.