Thanksgiving 2012
“Mom, can you take a look at this spot on my head? I just recently noticed it while brushing my hair.”
My heart skipped a beat. That was the beginning of Alyssa’s and my shared experience with her cancer journey. Many of you have heard parts of our story. For my sake and yours, I’d like to begin at the beginning.
A Brief History
Even though, as a teenager, my friends and I literally sun bathed on a hot tin roof, slathered in a mixture of iodine and baby oil, as an adult I was thoroughly convinced of the reports concerning sun exposure and melanoma. A friend a few years younger than me died in her 20s as a result of complications from melanoma. Her death made an impact on all of us that grew up with her. I made sure all three of my kids wore sunscreen. Ironically, I’ve always proudly called myself the sunscreen and seatbelt queen. I can still remember their feeble protestations alternating with childish giggles as I slathered their wriggling bodies with sunscreen, especially before they went swimming under the hot summer sun. In my mind’s eye, there they are, wearing brightly colored swimsuits while sitting on the edge of the pool, feet dangling in the inviting water, waiting the required fifteen minutes before jumping in to join their friends.
Unfortunately, I did not apply sunscreen to their scalps.
After biopsies and results, Alyssa had a Stage 1A melanoma lesion removed from the crown of her head in February of 2013. It required a skin graft and was a time-intensive recovery process for her scalp, but there was a 95 percent chance she would never have a recurrence of melanoma. Over the next 4+ years, Alyssa was diligent to have regular check-ups with her oncologist and dermatologist. A few more moles were removed, but none were melanoma. After the first year or so, clear reports became the norm and my motherly concerns lessened. I anticipated Alyssa reaching her 5 year, “cancer-free” anniversary without further complications. In fact, the main ongoing aggravation for Alyssa was the fact that even after multiple surgeries for repair, she still had a bald spot on the crown of her head that was difficult to cover. Little did we know that her bald spot was the least of our worries.
In early September, Alyssa became sick with a headache and vomiting. Andre took her to the ER on two separate occasions and they treated her with anti-nausea medication. After two days, there seemed to be little improvement in her condition, so I drove to Oklahoma to help Andre who was caring for a sick wife and two little boys.
Within an hour of my arrival, Alyssa had a seizure and was unconscious. While Andre checked her pulse, I called 911. Her heart rate was 45 and dropping. Within three minutes, the Emergency Medical Response Team arrived. Fortunately, thankfully, they saved her life. Unfortunately, she fell in the 5 percent: at the ER we found out that the headache and vomiting were the result of a brain tumor and hemorrhage. Her melanoma had returned.
When I called 911, I had no idea how much our lives were going to change. Alyssa had brain surgery three days later to remove the tumor and hemorrhage from her left frontal lobe. She has an additional fifteen tumors in her body. Because of the seizures, she cannot drive nor be alone with her boys for six months. Sadly, she recently had another seizure due to a high fever, resetting her six-month clock again.
Shared Space
When I left Little Rock six months ago, there was no way for me to know it would be weeks before I would return home for a visit. I am currently living in Oklahoma to help Alyssa and her family as she recovers from brain surgery and undergoes treatment for Stage IV melanoma. I’m also her designated driver! As a result, we share a space physically and saw the value of a “shared space” blog. We both enjoy writing. Our middle names are both Lynn. However, Lynns on Life will be about a lot more than cancer, because our lives are about a lot more than cancer. Our lives are about – Life.
This post is Part 1 of the story of how our journey with cancer began. Read the rest of the story here:
PART 1: WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
PART 2: FIRST RESPONDERS
PART 3: #GODLOVESHERBEST
PART 4: THE SOUND OF SILENCE
PART 5: KEEPING WATCH BY NIGHT
PART 6: WHEN WORDS MATTER MOST
Part 7: Don’t Worry, Daddy
Part 8: A Mother’s Prayer
That first picture of Alyssa looks so much like Dominic to me! Congrats on getting this off the ground – I am, like many other, excited to see where it leads. <3
Without a doubt this blog will bless many, give insight into to the depths of your hearts, provide hope for those who may be experiencing similar situations, and encourage each of us to live each day to the fullest because we know not what the future holds. Your willingness to be transparent and share your lives from your own perspective already conveys a strength many of us do not possess. But, thank you, and know that your courage, faith, love, and hope will affect your readers in ways that God has planned for us.
Much love and prayers for you and your family! ❤️🙏🏻
You are regular in my prayers. Susie Slay (Tory’s Mom)
My heart is so full of joy and anticipation about this blog. I love they way you both write and also how insightful you both are ..! I love learning about real life victory’s and also about life’s darkest valleys. I know real life stories from you two are going to be knowledge for me. Writing about life is healing and gives you a sense of expression.. god is going to use you both to help others …I’m a person who listens and hears people and turn it helps me .. all my love, Aunt Karen and best sister in law ever 😘❤️😜