Our decision to remain in the practice of Dr. Wesley Chang saved my husband's life -- and in doing so Dr. Chang really saved my life, too.

Our decision to remain in the practice of Dr. Wesley Chang saved my husband's life -- and in doing so Dr. Chang really saved my life, too. During his routine physical, Dr. Chang gave my husband, Art, that extra time and care which this kind of medicine makes possible. Dr. Chang discovered a small (about the size of a pencil lead!) mole on my husband's back. He decided to biopsy the mole.

That small mole was indeed melanoma. Art was immediately referred to a melanoma surgeon and the malignancy was quickly removed. Due to the early detection, Art's prognosis is excellent. Having lost a close friend to this horrible disease, we know all too well what the other outcome might have been. In the words of Art's melanoma surgeon, Dr. Chang saved your life.

How do you thank someone for saving the life of the love of your life for 34 years, the father of your three children, and one of the best people you've ever known? Words fail me. I only hope that Dr. Chang and his staff know the gratitude I hold in my heart for the care they gave my husband.

Art and I met in the long ago when we both worked at the Happiest Place on Earth -- Disneyland. I am attaching photos here. One was taken on our 33rd wedding anniversary after we had dined at Disney's Club 33. This was shortly after Art's surgery. The other photos probably speak for themselves (circa 1979).