The first 30 years of my life were spent outdoors every minute possible. Until my 18th birthday I was an avid skier, then I discovered snowboarding and those ski’s gathered lots of dust. Summers were spent in the water, on tennis courts or on horseback. If there was something fun to be done under the sun, I was in!
What I was not into was sunscreen. Sunscreen killed my tan. I’m naturally a little glow-in-the-dark, but expose me to a little sun and I’m like one of those insta-tan barbies! I get a beautiful copper glow that I loved. It made me feel healthy and alive. Ironic because that quest for the copper glow is now a battle against skin cancer.
Almost four years ago I went to the doctor because a scratch on my nose just wouldn’t heal. I thought I’d developed a tolerance to neosporin, and so I asked the doctor how to make this stupid open wound on my nose go away. How I hated that scratch! It was right on the tip of my nose, and every time it scabbed over all I could see was that scab… right in the line of my vision. It drove me nuts.
But I didn’t have a tolerance for neosporin. I had skin cancer. Luckily it was minor, a simple squamous cell carcinoma, easily removed with a simple in-office surgery and a couple of stitches. Even luckier, the doctor got it all in the first try, clean margins, clean bill bill of health.
Still, as with any cancer, once you are diagnosed more frequent doctor visits are required. I now go every six months, I remain (as of today) cancer free! However, every time I go there are always multiple AKs (Actinic Keratosis) to battle. These are common pre-cancer growths that are easily removed. Today he choose to do a little cryosurgery, really just a deep freeze of the lesions with liquid nitrogen. It stings, and leaves a mark for a week or two, but it’s quick.
Last year, after putting of my bi-annual visit for a year and a half, the AKs were a little more serious. A little bigger. A little deeper. Last year he used a laser to blast them off. Laser are a little more intense than liquid nitrogen and it’s important to protect the eyes from the harmful rays.
My AKs are primarily on my nose and under my eyes. Right where the ski goggles ended. The easiest way to protect my eyes is for the nurse to hold two little spoons right over my eyes. A laser is not getting through metal! Still the very first time she put spoons on my eyes, I got the giggles, stopped the procedure and asked my doctor to please take a photo of me. He’s a wonderful man with a great sense of humor, and he happily complied.
Have you checked your skin today?
Don’t you just love those 6 month checkups?? I had squamous cell cancer of the throat. As my doctor explained to me, this is a type of cancer that acts like a dandelion that is in the ‘puff ball’ stage and someone blows on it or when the wind blows. Those seeds scatter anywhere and everywhere. I’m coming up on my 5 years clear from the cancer after surgery, but I’m not free yet and not sure I will ever be. So far my doctor is pleased with the look of things but I feel I’m still in the long haul. Hang in there and make sure you don’t forget your next 6 month checkup! God Bless you for sharing your struggle with this.
Vicki
It’s great that you’re getting the word out on this important subject. My story is much the same, growing up mainly in the Southwest USA. I’ve had little bits carved out in various places, including my upper lip which was the only one that bothered me because it made me look different! I’m glad your lesions are getting fixed as they show up. It’s best to take care of them promptly.
[…] I had a doctors appointment, my regular check-up, my annual full body check for skin cancer (read here for more). I’ve been doing great! Sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days, hats at the pool & […]
[…] of you know I have skin cancer (Have you checked your skin today?) and I go in for bi-annual checks. Sometimes I’m good to go. Sometimes I get some fun laser […]