The one thing I didn't mention in my last post was that I had recently been diagnosed with the most aggressive form of skin cancer, a malignant melanoma.

In June 2012, I noticed a tiny black dot on my upper right arm. I instantly knew this wasn't good a sign, and fortunately, I saw a skin cancer specialist within three days. A biopsy was performed immediately, confirming that it was indeed a malignant melanoma.

The results showed that the cancer had already spread. I underwent two more operations in quick succession, and the doctors hoped they had removed all of the malignancy. The only follow-up treatment available after these surgeries is regular monitoring: full-body skin checks and lymph node examinations every three months for five year.

Foolishly Out in The Midday Sun

I have natural strawberry-blond hair and lots of freckles, and knowing that people with my colouring are among the most susceptible to malignant melanomas, I couldn't help but think how foolish I'd been to ever sit in the hot sun with my type of skin type.

The doctors were clear: I must never go in the sun again, or it could be fatal. From now on, if I am in a hot country, I must avoid direct sunlight entirely and be fully covered whenever I need to walk outside during the day.

The Sun in All its Dangerous Glory

In August on my last visit to Montenegro I had just had my last lot of stitches out and was feeling extremely vulnerable and unable to go out in the sunshine. I was in a sort of state of shock about what had just happened.

Overnight I had got to change from being a very active outdoors sort of person, into someone I just did not know how to be. I could definitely no longer go on holiday to hot countries without being constantly extremely careful.

I began to question what I was going to do about my future in Montenegro, one of those very hot countries I had once loved so freely.