This past week I was jolted into a bit of a wake up call on my health. You see…I love the sun. My ideal vacation includes a beach, beach chair and lots of sun. I have been laying in the sun since my early teens. The 80’s were all about the quest to be the most tan! I loved to lay on a foil mat with baby oil and iodine. My motto was the more sun the better. Then the tanning bed was created and I used it too. Needless to say, I was as tan as a belt!
1988 Junior Prom
Well, this past week I was told by my dermatologist that he had found a melanoma on my back. Luckily, I get checked regularly however nothing had ever tested positive before. I thought, ok, scrape it off and lets get on with it. He then said, “Caryn, you need to see a surgeon about removing the rest of the tissue.” What? So, the next day I was sitting in the surgeons office and he said to me, “I have assembled a good team for you. You have me, your dermatologist and an oncologist to help us navigate this.” Whoa…did you say oncologist? That means CANCER. Yep, that word was used! Melanoma is no laughing matter. It is a serious condition. No matter the size. My body is under attack and it is my job to get rid of this disease asap. So, I went into surgery on Thursday to have the rest of the tissue removed from the melanoma as well as lymph nodes to help ensure that we got everything. The key to fighting melanoma is early detection. Luckily, I found mine really early! Though they say that Dr’s will never say 100% cure rate they did say that this type and size of melanoma has a 99% cure rate. That is good enough for me!
So far this has been the most painful surgery I have ever had to go through! All because of the stupid choices I made as a kid. As, I lay here writing this…all I can think about is that my disdain for sunscreen caused me all of this pain. If I could go back and do one thing different..I would use SUNSCREEN! Tons of it all over my body.
Now, my future holds twice a year visits to my dermatologist where he will look my body over from head to toe. I of course asked him if there would be soft music and candlelight…but he was not amused. Swim shirts are my hot new “beach look”. Sunscreen will also be a part of my everyday life. Staying covered and protected so that I do not have another melanoma!
Please do yourself and those you love a favor by going in to have your moles and freckles checked by a professional. I do not wish this on anyone and hope that my openness in this matter will help others take better care of themselves!