Ashley Wirkus McAtee Reveals She Had Skin Cancer Removal Surgery

The Summer House alum underwent surgery weeks after giving birth to her first child.

By Hannah Fusaro Jul 17, 2019, 11:15 AM ET

Photo: Ashley Wirkus McAtee/Instagram

Ashley Wirkus McAtee has had a busy couple of months. The Summer House alum gave birth to her first child, son Dean Hudson McAtee, with husband Brad McAtee on May 26. She announced she was pregnant in November 2018 and in March, she revealed that she came down with a case of the shingles at 28 weeks pregnant.

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When Dean turned 1 month old, Ashley wrote, "To say this month was a blur is an understatement, and being a new mom has been incredible but also one of the hardest months of my life."

Now, Ashley is opening up more about just how trying these past few weeks have been. In a July 16 Instagram post, she revealed that she underwent skin cancer removal surgery just weeks after giving birth.

"This is me on Friday resting after having a surgery to remove the skin cancer (Malignant Melanoma) on my back. Just as I have shared my pregnancy shingles, I feel it’s important to share what I have been going through the past 7 weeks with becoming a mom and now this," Ashley shared. "I am SO in love with Dean and beyond grateful to have a healthy baby- BUT this has been the hardest adjustment of my life. I have had days questioning why no one warned me how hard this was going to be, and why no one really talks about the struggles of new mommy-hood? The past weeks have truly been a roller coaster with so many changes, ups & downs. Labor although incredible was the hardest physical experience I have ever endured, and I am still recovering. Breastfeeding has not been easy and is more than a full- time job, and now I realize why sleep deprivation is clearly a form of torture! Thank gosh you do have this amazing human to snuggle because being a mom is no joke!"

She continued, "[Three] weeks ago I went for my routine annual skin check at my dermatologist and she noted a mole on my back she wanted to biopsy. I thought nothing of it as I am naturally a very ‘moley’ person and go to the dermatologist regularly with the many past biopsies being normal. A week later I got the call that unfortunately this mole was malignant melanoma. I had surgery to remove an area of skin on my back on Friday and should have the final results soon. I will share my next visit when I see the doctor in 2 weeks."

Ashley concluded her post with a cautious message for her followers: "I naturally love the outdoors and have always worn sunscreen, hats, sunglasses but it was still not enough. I now will have to be even more cautious when I am in the sun. I am sharing to urge everyone to get your skin checked. Most annual visits are covered by insurance and now I will be going multiple times a year to stay safe!"

View this post on Instagram
This is me on Friday resting after having a surgery to remove the skin cancer (Malignant Melanoma) on my back. â â â â â â â â â Just as I have shared my pregnancy shingles, I feel itâs important to share what I have been going through the past 7 weeks with becoming a mom and now this. â â â â â â â â â I am SO in love with Dean and beyond grateful to have a healthy baby- BUT this has been the hardest adjustment of my life. I have had days questioning why no one warned me how hard this was going to be, and why no one really talks about the struggles of new mommy-hood? The past weeks have truly been a roller coaster with so many changes, ups & downs. â â â â â â â â â Labor although incredible was the hardest physical experience I have ever endured, and I am still recovering. Breastfeeding has not been easy and is more than a full- time job, and now I realize why sleep deprivation is clearly a form of torture! â â â â â â â â â Thank gosh you do have this amazing human to snuggle because being a mom is no joke! â â â â â â â â â 3 weeks ago I went for my routine annual skin check at my dermatologist and she noted a mole on my back she wanted to biopsy. I thought nothing of it as I am naturally a very âmoleyâ person and go to the dermatologist regularly with the many past biopsies being normal. â â â â â â â â â A week later I got the call that unfortunately this mole was malignant melanoma. I had surgery to remove an area of skin on my back on Friday and should have the final results soon. I will share my next visit when I see the doctor in 2 weeks. â â â â â â â â â I naturally love the outdoors and have always worn sunscreen, hats, sunglasses but it was still not enough. I now will have to be even more cautious when I am in the sun. â â â â â â â â â I am sharing to urge everyone to get your skin checked. Most annual visits are covered by insurance and now I will be going multiple times a year to stay safe! ð
A post shared by Ashley McAtee Wirkus (@ashleynmcatee) on Jul 16, 2019 at 6:23pm PDT

Ashley's twin sister, Lauren Wirkus, left a supportive comment on Ashley's post, writing, "So proud of you as a mom with everything you’ve been through! I wish I could take some of this on for you."