My Scars

Earlier this year I was diagnosed with Stage 1B Melanoma {skin cancer}.

The kind that usually happens to 80 year olds and the kind that if not taken care of, could be deadly. 

I don't want to sound all dramatic, and it's kind of funny to me now,
cause at the time of the news I didn't think it was that big of a deal.

That is...until the doctors started freaking out that I was 19, and at such a young age I had this growing cancer that could spread fast.

I was scheduled to have my surgery the week before finals of Winter semester 2011.

They took out a chunk out of my right arm, and lymph nodes.

After the surgery, I couldn't move, I couldn't really think straight. I felt helpless. 

It was especially hard for me because I'm self-sufficient and having to ask people for help was difficult. 

That's when I realized just how madly and deeply in love I was with my then fiance.

He would pick up food and make food for my mother and I.

He helped pack up my whole apartment and move it to a storage unit.

Would tuck me in at night, and make sure I was comfortable. 

Made sure I was taking my medicine on time.

Would hold me when I was crying out of frustration because I couldn't even put a t-shirt on without being in miserable pain. 

Writing this right now makes me tear up with joy, because I am so tremendously blessed and lucky to have him in my life. 

I'm proud of my scars because it represents the strength of my family, my parents and brothers for helping me and nurturing me back to health.

The love and care of my close friends.

The growth and strength of my relationship with my husband.

It represents all the prayers and talks I had with my Heavenly Father, asking for help, guidance, and comfort.

They prove to me how strong I really can be. 

I love my scars. They remind me daily of the many blessings that are in my life.
They constantly remind me to be grateful, caring, compassionate, and loving. They also remind me to thank my Heavenly Father for everyone, everything, and every day that I have.

{Stitches, 12 staples, and super glue, this is the day after the surgery}

{Right after the staples were taken out, still trying to get the super glue off}

{3 lymph nodes taken out, stitches, 9 staples, then super glue. The day after the surgery.}

Watch this.
It'll give you more information on melanoma, what to look for, and what to do next.

Please make an appointment with your doctor today and have a loved one check the angel kisses on your body to be safe :)

love, bri