If This Woman's Before And After Cancer Pictures Don't Move You, Nothing Ever Will
She fought till the end and overcame.
A mother of two, who has skin cancer, instead of hiding inside herself in the home, courageously decided to warn people about the harsh realities of skin cancer with a shocking photo journal, well-documenting her struggle with melanoma.
The 39-year-old Bethany Gambardella-Greenway from Austin, Texas encountered a dark spot on her skin when she was carrying her younger child in her womb. The lady ignored the mark believing that it might be due to hormonal changes. But when she finally got it checked out, her dermatologist reassured that it's nothing more than a liver spot.
However, 18-months-later, an ugly looking painful mole appeared on her skin, when she underwent biopsy it revealed that it's indeed a dangerous type of skin cancer, called desmoplastic melanoma.
Doctors removed the mole, but the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes and bones. Bethany started immunotherapy in October 2016.
Have a look!
Bethany was shocked with her stage 3-A melanoma diagnosis.
Her mother had also suffered this form of cancer when she was at her age, so the 39-year-old Bethany always knew that it was a possibility.
In an interview she shared:
"I do have red hair and freckles, so I am genetically predisposed, also with my mom being a melanoma survivor I wasn't surprised," reports Daily Mail.
And Bethany had done everything she could to prevent this; she wore sunscreen; never got tanned, but now it seems that it was in her genes.
She says,
"The mistake I made has let something go too long; I trusted my first dermatologist's diagnosis too much."
Bethany had discovered the possibility of skin cancer way too long, but it's her dermatologist who disappointed her. She says that she will never recommend her old dermatologist to anyone.
The first surgery:
During her first surgery, the team of doctors removed a long portion of muscle and tissue around her forehead. Some removed tissues were collected with the purpose of testing.
Doctors then decided to take a portion of skin from Bethany's thigh for her forehead.
Second surgery:
Doctors decided to go for a second surgery in two weeks' time to remove one of Bethany's lymph nodes.
Bethany shares that she has changed her routine:
"Being in treatment for cancer is like having a fantastic second job, it's not like I am getting money in exchange for my time. I am getting time in return for my day. I'm getting more time with my kids."
Bethany also shares that diagnosis had been hard on her husband as well.
"He's been supportive in front of me, but stressed out when alone," shares Bethany.
In February 2017:
The month of February has been the hardest part of my life in which I underwent the radiation therapy. Bethany took 30 radiation therapy in six weeks of time. It caused her extreme fatigue, burned mouth and loss of hair.
But all of this together has healed Bethany from cancer.
"Now there's no evidence of cancer in my body," expressed Bethany.
She sees the Oncologist in every six months.
Her melanoma cancer consumed all the savings she had saved for her family's future. "I indeed feel disappointed with the healthcare system of our country," Bethany said.
She said:
Her husband pays $800 every month for family's insurance, but she still had to pay a lot of money in her treatment to get cured.
No insurance plan is fully efficient:
Bethany shares that $800 is a massive amount to pay every month, but still, it failed to cover my medical charges as we'd hope it would.
Bethany has also created a Facebook album with the name Melanoma photo diary.
Science & Technology
Lifestyle
Travel & Photography
Animals
History
DIY
Humor
Entertainment
Sports
Quiz
People & Politics
Relationship