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8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • May 2015 letter to the readers PRODUCTION PUBLISHER Leigh Anne Van Doren Tabitha & Jamie Nelle's mom EDITOR-AT-LARGE Chris Jones Jordan, Quincy & Hayden's dad OPERATIONS & MARKETING Heidi DiEugenio, President, HD Solutions Duke & Dane's mom OFFICE MANAGER & EVENT PLANNING Stephanie Maldonado; Julia, Tyler & Aiden's mom ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Sheila Giscard; Jack's mom Jodi Urquhart; Noah & Carly's mom DESIGN & PRODUCTION Cheryl Carter, President, Carter Creations Alex, Kate & Jackie's mom WEBMASTER Karen Charney Joshua & Spencer's mom CALENDAR EDITOR Leigha Pecher Jake & Luke's mom CIRCULATION Krista Starosta Nick, Andrew, Kaylin & Kensington's mom COMMUNITY BLOGS Mary Becelia Katherine Laura & Robert Joseph's mom FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Pamela Quinones: Corinn, Michael, Isabella & Dalton TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & PINTEREST COMMUNITY MANAGER Brenda Sapanghila: Archer & Maddox's mom parent fredericksburg & family Entrepreneur of the Year PROUD FOUNDING MEMBER ADVERTISING PHONE 540/374-1495 E-MAIL adsales@fredericksburgparent.net CALENDAR & RESOURCE REQUESTS E-MAIL calendar@fredericksburgparent.net E-MAIL resources@fredericksburgparent.net EDITORIAL PHONE 540/374-1495 E-MAIL editor@fredericksburgparent.net SNAIL MAIL P.O. Box 7884, Fred'bg, VA 22404 www.fredericksburgparent.net The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertisement, editorial or listing that does not meet the publication's stan- dards. No part of this magazine may be reproduced with out permission. Listing and advertising rates are available upon request. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information contained herein, however, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Listings and advertisements are subject to typographical errors, ommissions and/or change without notice. For terms and condi- tions please visit our website at www.fredericksburgparent.net © Copyright 2015 Nurture, Inc. All rights reserved. l isten to that little voice. That's my motto, especially since it quite possibly saved my life seven years ago. During my pregnancy, and the first years of my second son's life, I had a little mole on my shin that, I swear, had on it a spotlight visible only to me. I asked my Ob on one of my follow-up appointments, and she said not to worry that every- thing changes during pregnancy. About a year later, I asked a dermatologist/plastic surgeon to look at it. He brushed it aside saying it was nothing to worry about. Still—the little voice kept whispering, "I just don't like it." Another year later at a routine visit and my general practi- tioner said it's nothing. Now, the voice is growing, nagging. I asked for a referral to a dermatologist and had to fight a little to get it. Good thing I did. Finally, on the fourth try, this doc- tor removed the little spot, which turned out to be malignant melanoma in situ, which is the step before the sucker grows a complicated and deadly root system. She said I would have been dead in 10 years had I not listened. So, why share all this? Two reasons. First, no matter how great a perfect tan looked, how wonderful it felt to layout and soak up the sun, how much I told myself the tanning bed in winter was the only way to get through the short, gray days, none of these are worth cutting my life short. Skin cancer is deadly serious. Second, to implore and empower others to listen to that little voice. you know when it's just worrying for the sake of worry. The whisper in your ear, one that doesn't let up over the years—that's the time to check it out to your ability and satis- faction—without apology. So, yes—listen to that little voice. And stay out of the sun, of course. Heidi lives in South Stafford. She and her husband Dave stay busy with their active sons, ages 16 and 12, with the typical school, sports and extra-curricular activities. by HEIDI DIEUGENIO Listen to the Little Voice