It was not unusual for family members to have moles on their skin, so Brittney Bystol was not concerned when she noticed one on her upper thigh.
Until it started growing, was sensitive and sore, and began bleeding.
Still, Brittney and her mother, Jenny Bystol, weren’t worried even after it was sent in for a biopsy.
“We didn’t think that anything was going to come of it,” Jenny said.
The results came back as malignant melanoma, commonly known as skin cancer.
“I think the word is the most scariest at first,” said Brittney, 24.
The diagnosis was made in December. She got a second opinion in January, on a Wednesday and was in surgery the following Tuesday.
“It was a quick process, thank God,” Jenny said.
After the four-hour surgery, she received the good news that the cancer wasn’t in her lymph nodes.
In March, Brittney started chemotherapy with interferon, which she will take once a week for a year. It boosts the immune system to prevent the cancer from returning.
But for Brittney it will be a lifelong battle, as she was told there is a good chance the cancer will return at some point.
“I try to stay positive and go about my day,” said Brittney, who is an assistant branch manager at North Shore Bank in Ashwaubenon.
Brittney and her son, Ayden, 5, live in Shawano. The chemo gives her nausea, body aches and headaches, but she never lets her son know when she is feeling bad.
“He’s one of the main reasons I keep going,” Brittney said. “I have a great support system. Family and friends have been amazing. My parents have been amazing.”
Through tears, Jenny Bystol has similar praise for her daughter.
“She has faith,” Jenny said. “She amazes me how she has come through this. She is an amazing single mother doing this on her own. Her little boy never knows that she’s hurting.”
Brittney said she is doing well right now. Along with getting the chemo every week, she has appointments every three months. She regularly checks for moles and reminds others to do the same.
“It grew so fast,” Brittney said. “Imagine if I had waited.”
To help with Brittney’s medical expenses, the Horsin’ Around Richmond Riders will hold a benefit for her at their ninth annual trail ride, which begins today and continues through Sunday.
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