<p>So sad. Their youngest daughter is still in college. She is my age, and it is an uncomfortable day for me. My melanoma was diagnosed almost 6 years ago. </p>
<p>They moved from Pittsburgh to her home state of NC in 2006, the year before he resigned. I wonder if she has been battling it since then. There but for the grace of God go I.</p>
<p>Wow, that is really sad. I remember that there was a lot of speculation about Cowher getting back into coaching last year. I think he said that he was going to stay on TV another year. I suspect that he had another reason to stay home. </p>
<p>I hope your melanoma is in remission and going well sunnyflorida. It really makes things come home for you.</p>
<p>Sunnyflorida, my best wishes to you and your fight. I, too, am sorry to read about this. I knew Kay Cowher very briefly, many years ago when her kids and mine were toddlers.</p>
<p>They were living in Raleigh,NC In their college years, Bill Cowher was a star football player at NC State and his wife,Kaye was a NC State basketball player. My heart goes out to the family. </p>
<p>Sunnyflorida, I hope you are cancer free now. I know several people who have had melanomas removed. They are doing well now.</p>
<p>I don’t know her, but this news made me feel sad when I heard it on the radio. I am about that age, and still have kids not yet in college. Take care, Sunnyflorida, and everyone!</p>
<p>I am sorry to read about this, too.</p>
<p>Fortunately, because of public awareness, many people see their dermatologists on the routine base to checki for atypical moles, a good portion of melanomas get diagnosed in very early stage today and get completely removed and cured. I hope sunnyflorida’s case is among those cured.</p>
<p>Yes, I consider myself cured! Thanks for all your good thoughts. It will be a little uncomfortable for me though. You see, when I was diagnosed, I asked the good Lord for just seven more years. Please given me just seven more years to see my youngest finish up her first year of college. So now I am a little superstitious. Maybe I should have asked for more…
</p>
<p>I think you said 17 more years. I’m sure of it.</p>
<p>Wear that sunscreen and those hats, everyone. This is not an enemy to fool around with.</p>
<p>And do not be shy about getting naked and checking yourself all over, once a month. Become really familiar with your skin, and go immediately to a doctor when something changes or when something looks suspicious. Enlist a partner’s help, and you do the same for them. Men: Pay special attention to your backs. Women: Your lower leg area. Parents: While melanoma before puberty is rare, we need to keep an eye on our children as well for any suspicious moles. And everyone: Remember that any pigmented tissue can develop melanoma. So take some time and look carefully. </p>
<p>Educate yourself about melanoma. Save your own life, or maybe a loved one’s. It is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with a low chance of survival once metastasis occurs. The good news is that it is easy to catch early, and when caught early and excised the prognosis is excellent.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the last year I have learned more about melanoma than I ever wanted to. last July my son was dx with a rare melanoma on his tongue. He just had a bump on the tip of his tongue that didn’t go away and even the doctors were shocked with the results. It had spread to one lymph node in his neck. He had 2 major surgeries and started interferon.
He was supposed to start his senior year at Cal but had to take fall semester off. He went back spring semester and did well in spite of having inject himself with interferon 3x a week with major flu like symptoms the next day. He still has a high rate of recurrence but 2 pet scans have had good results so far.
Melanoma is a horrible horrible cancer. Even though my son’s had nothing to do with sun exposure, too many young people are being diagnosed. Lecture lecture lecture your kids about sun exposure, tanning salons, etc.</p>
<p>sunnyflorida - Thanks for posting this although it is really sad. I am glad to hear that all has gone well with you and your melanoma diagnosis.</p>
<p>It is really important for people to be aware and to be checked. I go to my dermatologist every 6 months as I have a history of basal cell carcinoma. I just had one confirmed on my neck last week that I am having removed in a couple of weeks. I always check my skin carefully and have my husband look at my back where I can not see.</p>
<p>sunnyflorida, Congratulations on your recovery. May you keep your faith and stay positive and healthy. My mother was diagnosed with melanoma about 7 years ago and after treatment has not recurred since. We now self-check ourselves monthly and visit the dermatologist once a year. </p>
<p>Prayers go out to the Cowher family- 54 is too young to go.</p>
<p>Bec - how terrible for you and your son! I have never heard of melanomas on the tongue. My DS has had about 8 moles removed because they look suspicious, and he did suffer a terrible sunburn when he was a child (grrr. not under my supervision!). He gets checked twice a year. I hope your son remains cancer free for life!</p>
<p>My OB/GYN found one in a patient’s vagina. I also know a woman whose dad died from one which originated on his scrotum. Melanoma is mainly sun-related, but it doesn’t have to be. Rarely, it can occur where the sun does not shine. It’s just really important for all of us to see doctors regularly, and make sure we are checked out inside and out for this disease and every other.</p>