Meet Scott
My life was very different to what it is now. Before Melanoma I worked hard and spent time with my lovely family, never worrying about anything.
I was building a life I was proud of, and especially proud to be a dad to my two gorgeous boys. It’s thanks to Scott’s hairdresser’s persistence that his Melanoma was eventually recognised, having noticed a changing mole on his head and neck.
Hot the melanoma got Scott's attention
The lesion on my neck was first brought to my attention by my hairdresser but was misdiagnosed as an ingrown hair. Nevertheless, a biopsy was taken, and the lump was removed.
I was called in for my results and was in complete disbelief when I was told it was not Malignant Melanoma and I needed more surgery to remove the lump. I could then relax and take a sigh of relief when I was given the long-awaited news that I was now cancer free.
The biopsy
This relief was to be short lived when I attended a delayed post op check-up several months later.
I was told that the sample taken at biopsy was actually positive for Malignant Melanoma and not negative as I previously believed.
The cancer had actually spread further and deeper into the tissue. I barely had time to catch my breath before having to undergo an emergency operation that has left me with over a quarter of my neck tissue cut away.
The treatment
Although the operation was deemed a success, I had suffered massive trauma, and I was unresponsive for 5 hours after surgery. My family was told to prepare for the worst.
When I finally awoke, I couldn’t move my legs and was completely deaf in my right ear which thankfully was just down to strong medication. I knew the neck was going to look bad, but honestly was not prepared for the reality of the aftermath.
The pain and recovery were temporary, the mental scars were far more persistent.
What's next
I still have a long journey ahead of me because Melanoma requires due diligence. I hope to start to rebuild a life to be proud of again but this time I will put plans in place for any kind of hiccup as well as finding peace with everything that has happened to me with the cancer.
Scott's Advice
I had the abnormal spot for 2 years before I got it checked out and the cancer had really taken a hold.
If I could offer any advice to a person who notices change to their skin, please get it checked. Ten minutes at your doctors could literally save your life.
Important to know
You should always wear suncream – no matter what.
Sunbeds are a no-go and be cautious and if you see something on yourself change get it checked.
If Scott went as soon as he noticed his lesion things might have been different. It’s important to know that melanoma might not look obvious. Scott’s didn’t look stereotypical. It looked more like a lump than a mole.
Who thought that “only skin cancer” would destroy someone so much, because I didn’t?
