I Wish This Was A Joke...

I wasn't nervous these past two weeks until today. I knew whatever happened God would take care of me but I couldn't stop my mind from running wild. I listened to my favorite Christian songs all day and tried to keep calm. Once I arrived I was put in the room quickly and waited. Waited for what felt like an eternity.  I know Jesus was in that room with me.  There was this warm peace that I couldn't muster up the strength to find until just then.

Once the doctor arrived she asked me how I was healing. We reviewed my before pictures then my results. The spot on my toe was benign. Thank you Jesus. The spot my leg was not.

Melanoma. The ONE word I did not want to hear.  I never thought it would come to this point, that it would be this bad. I thought maybe they would just be precancerous and nothing else.  But no, malignant melanoma.  As scary as that sounds the doctor explained that it's actually the best worst case scenario.  The cancer is only .33mm thick and stage zero. It has not reached the area where they would be concerned about it spreading to other parts of my body. She was glad I came in when I did. And so was I.

While it's a very terrifying and real situation I'm so thankful that it wasn't worse.  I will have blood tests, X-rays and surgery to make sure all the cancer is removed. I will have screenings every 3 months for a pretty long time.  And you better believe I'll be wearing SPF 30+ every time I'm in the sun.

I say all that to get to the real purpose of this post. Friends, please please please get a skin cancer screening as soon as possible. Time is of the essence!  I'm willing to bet that a lot of you are like me. You enjoy your time in the sun (or even worse the tanning bed), maybe use SPF 8 (or nothing at all) and really don't want to think about the consequences.  You think nothing bad will happen, it's just a tan!  Or perhaps you realize what could happen but you're too afraid to just take that next step and get checked. 

Listen to me, YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT!  

I'm so glad I stopped procrastinating and faced my fears.  It could have been much, much worse.  As He always does the Lord was looking out for me.  He always takes me to the very edge of what could be a horrible ending and redeems me.  That's how I know He's with me.  And like the words from my new favorite song "Oceans" by Hillsong United, I know "You've never failed and you won't start now."  

If my story keeps at least one of you from getting skin cancer then it will all be worth it. 

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine