Four years ago, Debbie Wallace McCollum sent me a nice note about her friend Larry. Doctors had found a melanoma on him, excised it and everything was clear. She asked for prayers. I gave them and four years passed.
This morning she let me know that he had just passed away from the disease. In January, doctors found a recurrence on his face. On January 31st, surgery determined that it had spread to his brain, lungs, colon and liver. He fought with courage and bravery –but he was facing a brutal and swift monster. Within seven months, he was gone.
Melanoma is not “just skin cancer.” It’s a very tricky and devastating form of cancer. It is easily treated if caught very early (think of the rock-ding on your windshield). I highly recommend that you get your skin screened by your doctor or at a screening. But as in Larry’s case, it can and does come back. As Ben Franklin said, “And ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Wear sunscreen. Avoid the sun during the peak hours between 10 and 4. Wear protective clothing and stay the heck out of tanning beds.
Larry, like my friend and cancer hero Jimmy Riley, faced my worst nightmare and lost their lives. Please take care of your skin. I don’t want you to face it yourself.
Prayers go out to Larry, his friends and family. And I pray with all my might that that melanoma can be stopped once and for all.