Melanoma vs Valentine's Day
February 14, 2015. Eight years ago today. I was in the bathroom drying off after taking a shower when I saw something on my back that looked like the above photo. I had been working on a story about the connection of Parkinson’s Disease to Melanoma. I immediately knew what the mole was. Melanoma. Cancer.
The canserversery is easy to remember. I get a reminder each year because it occurred on Valentine’s Day. Who is going to forget that?
The reminders begin right after the start of the new year. Grocery stores have aisles full of candy dedicated to V-Day. For a few years after, all it did was make me think of cancer.
That changed in 2018. I started a relationship that gave both of us a reason to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We found a restaurant that featured pear ravioli. Sounds good, doesn’t it? It was even better than it sounds. Delish!!!
All of that helps me not to obsess over that moment in 2015. The neurotic thoughts aren’t completely gone. I’m sure they never will be, but with each anniversary it moves deeper into my mind. A good thing!
On this February 14, I’m back at the original scene of the crime. You see, I found that gnarly mole while on vacation in Los Angeles. Eight years later, I’m here again. But, this year I’ll again spend it with the person with whom I’ve been sharing those pear raviolis.
So for today Fuck Cancer! HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!