Name:
Miranda K.
Tell us a little about yourself and why you decided to take
advantage of the clinic?
I’m married and the mother of a dog and three cats. Before I
decided to use the clinic, I had some flawed thinking about my
health. I thought that since I am young and have never had
seriously health issues, I didn’t need to be that concerned about
preventative doctor visits. I was wrong.
What did you encounter while at your clinic visit?
For starters, no wait! The nurse took my vitals and since I was there for my initial visit, the
Nurse Practitioner did a quick overall exam after we talked about me and my family’s health
history. It was during that exam that she saw a skin spot that was concerning to her. I went
back the next week for a biopsy and found out a short time later that the spot was melanoma.
How did Community Clinics providers help you achieve a “peace of mind” with your skin
spot?
They were very reassuring that my melanoma spot had been caught in time and everything
would be fine. The NP took the time to explain the results and answer my questions. The nurse
was immediately calling dermatologists and oncologists to get me an appointment as soon as
possible. They were both wonderful.
What advice would you give other people who may not know they have a dangerous skin
spot?
A skin cancer screening only takes minutes. Just do it! Early detection saves lives. Don’t be like
me and put it off.
What preventative measures are you taking now that you weren’t before?
I’ll be using the clinic frequently. I’ll continue using sunscreen and minimizing my sun exposure,
but I’ll take advantage of the clinic to monitor any other spots.
What motivates you to continue taking preventative measures and coming to the clinic?
I’m going to continue to educate myself about melanoma because of the fear of it reoccurring.
If caught early, it has a very high cure rate, so I know how extremely important it is to stay on
top of it.
Nutrition
What is your favorite healthy food to eat?
Fresh fruit.
When it comes to eating well, what are your top 3 recommendations.
1. Eat your vegetables
2. Moderation
3. Don’t be afraid to try new foods
Exercise
What is your favorite sustainable form of exercise to do and why?
I started running in May of last year. I like the accomplished feeling I get after finishing a run. I
also love running community. I’ve met so many friendly, motivating runners.
Do you work out at home or at a gym?
I hit the pavement!
What is your piece of advice for those just starting to exercise?
Stick with it and have a goal to work toward. Make it a part of your routine. It will be harder to
skip out.
Staying Healthy
What are your new goals to achieve?
I plan on running the River Run and the Evansville Half Marathon again this year….While
wearing my sunscreen!
Anything else you would like to add about your Real Health journey and how Community
Clinics has helped you achieve your wellness goals?
I don’t think I can really express how thankful I am for TSCC. If I hadn’t used the clinic, if the
Nurse Practitioner hadn’t been observant, how much longer might my skin cancer have gone
untreated? In mid-January I got the all clear from my dermatologist and oncologist, and I know
I’m in great hands with the clinic moving forward.