Kelli and Skin Cancer Awareness

Who I'd like to meet:

MY STORY

When I was fifteen years old, I noticed a small spot on my chest which began to grow little by little. When I was at doctor appointments I would mention it occasionally. My doctor said it was nothing and to just watch it. When I was sixteen and a junior in high school, the spot had developed into all the signs of cancer. Finally, I went to a dermatologist who just glancing at it said "this does not look good". In January 2000, I underwent surgery to remove the sight. I was diagnosed with Melanoma.

Later, I learned my grandma and my grandpa had Melanoma as well. In the next three months I underwent two more surgeries at the University of Michigan Hospital, where my lymph nodes under my left arm where removed because the cancer had spread. They removed a fibroid (non-cancerous) tumor from my left breast which until then I was too scared to mention.

Around my 17th birthday I started a year of interferon treatments in a clinic near my home. I missed a lot of school because the treatments made me feel like I had a really bad flu. My family, friends, church and school were very supportive. I finished treatments on my 18th birthday. I was able to go to my senior prom and graduation. I was so happy to be finished with this time in my life, I thought.

After this experience I thought I could do anything. I left home and started college at Long Island University, Southampton, NY. I was in remission and trying to live a normal college life. I did not really want to tell anyone about my cancer because I thought this was my opportunity to be normal, not be the sick girl. Later I realize that I had experienced this for a reason and I needed to share my story with others.

I was five years cancer free when my cancer returned. I had just been home for Thanksgiving break and returned to school for finals. I was having a hard time breathing. I was rushed to the hospital by my doctor. I was sitting there in the ER by myself and I feared the worst. The chest x-rays showed a large mass near my lungs pressing on my airway. The suggested that I contact my cancer doctors back home.

I was rushed home to get tests done. My cancer had returned and I was now diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. My doctors at the University of Michigan said that we were going to immediately start high dose Interleukin 2 treatments in the hospital. The treatments work in 10% of patients and I was so scared. In January, I spent one week in the hospital, one week at home, and another week in the hospital. They were the worst weeks of my life. The treatments showed some reduction in the mass. So in July, I started another round of the treatment.

In august 2005, I returned to college. This time I transferred to Regent University , in Virginia Beach , VA. It was a great experience and I love the beach. I was forced to tell people my story because at the beach they would see my scars and I am always covered with SPF 40 sun screen, an umbrella, a hat and a long sleeve tunic. I remember one time, I was at the beach with about 25 friends and only three of us put on sun screen. I said to a few of my friends, "aren't you concerned about getting skin cancer?" One of my friends replied, "I will worry about that when I am old."

I think that this day at the beach has really encouraged me to share my story and to be a part of raising awareness among young people about skin cancer. I think that it is so important to change the misconceptions young people have about Skin Cancer. The statistics are scary. I have graduated college with a bachelors degree in professional communication. I got married on July 20, 2008. I am turning 26 years old. This birthday marks 10 years of dealing with skin cancer and I am proud to announce I am 4 years cancer free. I am really excited about this opportunity to work with the Skin Cancer Awareness Foundation to spread awareness.

I have had the opportunity to do so many awesome things so far to spread the word. I filmed a video for the American Academy of Dermatologist which I hope to have on my site soon. And it is just the beginning. Check out my spot in July's issue of Seventeen Magazine


Check out my mention in Teen Vogue's May 2007 Issue