Friday 14th marked a year since I had my first operation on my leg for melanoma.
I had another 6 weeks later.
It’s a strange thing, anniversaries like this. You remember the day, the worry, the uncertainty and all the questions that ran through your head. You remember looking at your leg and wondering what was going to happen next.
But this year, I actually forgot and it didn’t dwell on my mind.
So what did I do?
In the afternoon I went to Seaford with my friends, sat in the sunshine and enjoyed my few hours.
And honestly? I think that was the perfect way to mark it.
A year ago, melanoma was something I was having to deal with. A year later, I was sitting in the sunshine, chatting, laughing and enjoying the sea air with people I care about.
There was something quite lovely about that.
Life doesn’t always give us the choice about what happens to us, but sometimes we do get to choose what we do with the days afterwards.
And Friday wasn’t about celebrating melanoma. It was about just being here with friends.
Sitting in the sunshine with my friends felt like a little reminder that life carries on. That there are still sunny days, seaside trips, laughter, silly conversations and moments that have absolutely nothing to do with hospitals or appointments. SPF and just being more responsible.
So, one year on from my first melanoma operation, that’s what I chose.
Just Seaford, sunshine, friends and a very welcome reminder that Life is to be lived.
Isabelle Cheren 