Skin Cancer Surgery

I have skin cancer. I tested positive for Melanoma in my leg. 

Monday I had the melanoma removed from my leg. They told me it was a simple surgery, but that it would save my life. It really was a simple surgery. They removed a 2" by 1" piece of skin and the fat below it in the shape of a diamond, and then stretched the skin back closed and stitched it together.

The round hole is where they took the biopsy that tested positive for cancer.

I actually got to watch the surgery. It was very interesting. Phil watched part of it, but I will let you ask him how that went!!!

I haven't been in as much pain as I thought I would be in. Its more of an achy, burning sensation. I am taking it easy though.  The skin is stretched so tight that too much stress on the incision would increase the scar or possibly pull the stitches.

The doctor says no lower body exercise for the next 3-4 weeks. Stitches come out next Friday (12 days after surgery).
If all goes as planned, no radiation or chemo will be needed.

The bruising has gotten worse since this picture was taken.

I also have another spot on my back that tested Severely Atypical (meaning "close to being cancerous"). When I get the stitches taken out of my leg they will take care of my back the same way.

I am praising God for the Doctor who found this melanoma early. I am so thankful that she saved my life.

I also feel very blessed to have such great friends and family who are taking care of me. Thank you for the food, flowers, prayers, and running errands for me. I really appreciate your help!

Do you have skin cancer? What should I look for when examining moles and skin irregularities?

A-Asymmetrical

B-Borders

C-Color

D-Diameter

E-Evolving

GO GET CHECKED!

My friend wrote a book!

"Writing Better Web Content" Co-written by Ken Bradford & Dr. Deborah C. Bauers, LPC You are invited to join the author's "Virtual Book Tour".  Click on the picture to watch the tour. I am so excited to tell you about a book that my friend, Deborah and her colleague, Ken have co-authored. Deborah is a Licensed Professional Counselor, freelance writer and adjunct professor.  I would consider her to be my life coach/counselor. I can tell you from personal experience that she is great at what she does. Ken is a professional web content writer, web designer and owner of his own web content marketing company. Please take a few minutes to check out their virtual book tour. Pass it on to any friends that have a blog or are interested in writing better web content.

Personal Trainer Accountability

Accountability is essential for lasting success in health and wellness choices. It helps to measure progress in meeting goals. It also helps you take ownership of meeting that goal.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

 Having an accountability partner is important.  I would like to do that for you.

Certified Personal Trainer and Women's Fitness Specialist

 

I will:
--Listen to what you are saying.

--Help you find a solution by digging into what you eat and how you exercise.
--Be caring but push you to do your best.
--Provide consistency.

Let’s talk. MelindasFitness@gmail.com

 

Do you ever feel stuck?  Are you not sure where to turn for help?  6 years ago (9/23/2008) I started in that very place.  I was the heaviest I had ever been and was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I decided to permanently change my lifestyle, and I lost 30 pounds. I would like to guide you on your journey towards healthier living.

S.E.E. what you can do with Support, Exhortation, and Encouragement through accountability. I offer 6 levels of accountability. Find the right level for you and let's start changing your future today!

Get started TODAY!

Body Measurement and Weight Chart #2

 Before starting any weight loss or healthy living program, take your measurements. Measuring your body is more reliable than using the scale alone. Measure chest, waist, hips, and thigh using the printable sheets provided here.

If you do not have a measuring tape, buy one. They aren't very expensive and are totally worth your time and money.

 I would also suggest taking a before picture. This will give you another way to compare your weight loss.

I would love to hear how you are doing on your weight loss journey. Email me at: MelindasFitness@gmail.com

Our Alaskan Cruise

We did it! We finally get to cross 'go to Alaska' off our bucket list.

We went to Alaska to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. They have always wanted to go to Alaska so we made that wish come true. 

Here is a poem Phil wrote for them:

There once lived a man named Dennis LeFleur.

On an Iowa farm he shoveled manure.

He met and married Kathy,

Because she made him happy.

Yet 50 years later she’s not sure.

Two daughters bring joy,

When they married good boys,

Whose intentions were nothing but pure.

After all these years married when things get harried,

Their love is always the cure.

Here are the excursions that our family went on. Rated 5 as best and 1 as not so good!

Skagway- To the Summit (bus tour)   Rating 4 This excursion is a good value. We had 3 stops to take pictures. There were a lot of waterfalls to enjoy. We would recommend this tour for someone on a budget.

Takshanuk Mountain Trail by 4X4 –Rating 4 (food is a 5!) The views were very beautiful, the 4x4s were fun, and the tour guides were very engaging. The only reason I gave it a 4 is because we could have done this at home in Colorado. For someone who doesn’t live in the mountains, I think it would be more fun and I would recommend it to them. The 4x4s are Kawasaki Mules (basically a 4x4 golf cart) and with all the tight turns, we didn’t get to go very fast.

Ultimate Yukon & White Pass Railroad Adventure 

Rating: 4-Of course we were disappointed that there was a train derailment two days before arrival and we could not take the train. However, the bus ride gave us more opportunity to stop to take pictures, where the train would continue moving. The driver was informative and told lots of stories of the gold rush days. We were expecting to see more wildlife throughout the tour. Only saw one black bear, alongside the road.

Juneau-Mendenhall Glacier and Tram Rating 4 We were disappointed by how far the glacier was from the visitors center. We did enjoy the beautiful waterfall by taking a trail. There wasn't enough time to hike to the glacier to see it up close.  The tram: We had never ridden anything like this. It was a beautiful ride to the top. Lady Baltimore (Bald Eagle) is amazing to see up close.  We had so much fun on the Tram that we rode it twice just for fun.

Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier via Helicopter- I would rate the helicopter ride at a 5 because every helicopter ride is always fun 
and the terrain was amazing. The dog sledding was also really enjoyable. We were hoping to go faster, so that is why I rated it as a 4. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m glad we went! Following the tour, the bus driver took us on an extra little tour so we could see the Mendenhall Glacier while in Juneau.

Rain Forest Canopy & Zip Line Adventure-– Rating 4 This was also very fun and zip lining through a rain forest is something everyone should do at one point in their lives. The guides were fun and made it enjoyable. There were 10 zip lines (some short, some long) and 2 suspension bridges. We were often hanging 180-feet in the air!

Mendenhall Glacier and Wildlife Quest Rating: 5  We were excited to see many humpback whales on this excursion. Our naturalist said she had never seen so many humpbacks in one location, breaching as a group as they were feeding. We saw as many as 12-15 at a time. What a show!  Because of spending more time watching the whales, we didn’t have much time at the Mendenhall Glacier, so us old folk could not walk to the falls and glacier and get back to the bus in time for departure. Overall a very good see!

Victoria- Orca and Wildlife Quest-The goal of the tour is to see orcas and we did, so I’ll give this a 5. The ride would have been more enjoyable if there were fewer people however. We saw numerous orcas! We had a great time watching them play!

Some of you have said you are interested in going on an Alaskan Cruise. DO IT! We LOVED it. 

Here are a few things I would recommend that you bring with you:

Here is a game we played while we were cruising. Good luck!