30/06/2026
Well it has been one hell of a month! Filled with lots of early starts, trips into Melbourne, rides on all the machines, bloods taken and lunch on the roof top of Peter Mac. To think it's been every 3 months for the last 3 years. But I always get a room with an awesome view.
This month marks a massive milestone in a couple of ways, firstly it is 3 years since I went under the knife for my Stage 3 melanoma after undergoing an intensive couple rounds of immunotherapy as part of a new trial with the aim to teach my body to fight melanoma itself.
Secondly, it's the first time in 10 years that I have gone more than 2 years without having a melanoma somewhere.
You would think the longer we go the easier it gets but weirdly it is quite the opposite, after so many the longer it goes the more you prepare yourself for that dreaded look, the deep breath the dr makes before they go for that second look, the "Well...." Followed by the pictures drawn on a piece of paper that only a dr could really understand!
But I am still here, largely to my personal Cancer Team at Peter Mac and also because of my amazing family. The stress Renee goes through holding down the fort, keeping the wheels moving while waiting for that phone call as I head to the lifts to explain its all clear and this is what the dr say is indescribable.
So the last mile stone is moving from 3 monthly visits to 6 monthly. Although it is not really 6 months, there is still dermatologist and endocrinologist appointments mixed in along the way. It is still a major step, but with more in depth testing each time.
So if you have been wondering what has been going on, well to say we have been a little distracted this month would be an understatement.
So get your skin checked, if it's sus get it checked by a skin check clinic! The earlier you get on to it the better the outcome.
