This mother was left disfigured after mistaking cancer for pregnancy hormones
A mother from Austin, Texas, has shared a photo diary after beating a rare form of skin cancer, which she mistook for hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
Bethany Greenway, 39, was left with scars after she didn’t pay attention to a dark spot on her forehead that appeared when she was pregnant with her second child in 2014. Doctors told her it was a liver spot, while she assumed it was a result of pregnancy hormones. However, 18 months later, further symptoms developed, as the Independent reports.
A painful mole appeared in the same place and she sought medical advice. A biopsy revealed that she has stage 3a desmoplastic melanoma. Doctors removed the mole using a skin graft to cover the affected area, leaving Bethany with a lare scar on her forehead. The surgery was followed by 30 rounds of radiation which took place in March.
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Funny hair, faceAll is well here. Nothing new to report. Except my skin is being weird in the heat. I don't know what…
Posted by Bethany Gambardella-Greenway on 12 Iulie 2017
“The radiation was absolute the worst part. It was hell plain and simple. It fried the inside of my mouth. My throat was so sore,” she said. “My skin was covered in sores, I lost my ability to taste food, my voice was hoarse, at about week three my hair began to fall out on the treated area. By the time I was done with treatment I had lost about forty pounds because eating had become such a miserable chore.”
She began posting photos of her progress online on her Facebook profile, in order to document her recovery and spread suncare awareness. “My reason for doing this is to prevent anyone from ever being in my shoes”, Greenway said. “If seeing my pictures and reading about what I’ve been and am still going through makes one person put on sunscreen or go to the dermatologist and get checked then I’ve done my job.”
Umbrella hatWe went to the zoo today. It was hot and sunny, but I was prepared with my massive hat. It's strange, my…
Posted by Bethany Gambardella-Greenway on 15 Iulie 2017
The stay-at-home mother currently covers her scar with make up and is hoping to undergo reconstructive surgery this year. “All my struggle isn’t for nothing because me sharing my story made one person take better care of themselves,” the woman added. “I live in Texas where you have to put on sunscreen everyday, I try to be careful, but I also have fair skin and I am ginger. I have been disfigured by this destructive cancer. I lost the muscle on half my forehead and my left eyebrow almost completely save for like two tiny stray hairs. It’s very rare for a younger female to get this.”
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