Kenneth Walker, Stage II

Diagnosed – 11/13/2012

In 2012 I returned from a job in Alaska.  My girlfriend told me the mole on my back (which I had been told about but was never able to see or feel) was bleeding.  I figured I had scratched it on something.  She told me I should go see a dermatologist.  So I did, but not because I was worried or anything, I just figured it would shut her up.

I went to a local dermatologist who had done his clinical studies at MD Anderson.  He informed me that this was not a normal mole and that he would biopsy it but that he was referring me to MD Anderson and I should call the first thing Monday morning.

Okay, now I was worried.  I was just going to call them, they were going to get the biopsy results back and everything was going to be benign.  This was not the case.  I was diagnosed with stage II malignant melanoma.  I
underwent a wide excision and lymph node dissection under both arms.  I thought this was just the beginning of the end for me.

I have a girlfriend and 3 children and this was just the beginning for all of us.  We are now aware of the harm the sun can do.  We are actively spreading this information on to others.

We participate in the AIM walks two or three times a year.  I have so much to live for.

Thank you Susanne and MD Anderson