The phone rang. Which really wasn’t anything unusual. You see, it had been ringing all day . It was April 17, 2001 and THAT was the day of the Mississippi Flag vote. And I’d be lying if I said the calls I had been receiving were pleasant. But the call I got at 5:30 was different. While the other calls were angry, this one was truly life threatening.
My doctor was on the other line. “Marshall, I don’t know how to say this other than you have cancer.”
Time slowed to a crawl. My world changed with three simple worlds.
I had cancer.
It was malignant melanoma, to be exact. Melanoma is cancer of the melanocytes — and it is a nasty and extremely fatal form of skin cancer. But thanks to my plastic surgeon’s eagle eye, I had a chance of survival.
I was in surgery within a day. Doctors don’t mess around with melanoma. Once the cells punch through the dermis layer of your skin, it can spread rapidly. I’ve known people who have died in less than six months from it. So they get you on the table and they remove all the cancerous cells.
I woke up a few hours with a giant scar and a new lease on life. My melanoma was caught fairly early. I knew my chances of longterm survival were good.
So my cancer story isn’t one of great struggle. No, mine is a story of early detection. Melanoma can be 100% cured if caught very early. And since the majority of melanomas are on our skin, we all can be easily screened.
I urge you to get screened. Find a free screening. Have your doctor look you over. Have a loved one check you over. Learn what the signs of a melanoma. Take control of your own health. I want you to have the same chance of survival I had.
On February 22, the Cancer League will be honoring me at their 2014 Cancer Gala at the South Warehouse in Jackson. Proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. I’m as proud of this honor of any I’ve ever received. Because it means I am alive. And I am still in the game.
And that is the greatest honor of all.
Congratulatons Marshall. It is an honor to be recognized by the Cancer League as a cancer survivor – an even greater honor to be recognized as a survivor who has seized the opportunity to raise awareness of melanoma and to help others. You should be proud – you will have made a difference in the fight against cancer. Proud of you and so glad to know you – Fondly, Lynn Hosemann
Congrats on the honor. I am a survivor, not melanoma, but still a survivor. My last treatment was 9/12. Your stories inspire me and make me want to tell my tale. And your crossfit musings are about to make me get off the couch! Way to go!