as was I. Apparently we wanted a tan for our weddings.
So during lunchtime we'd run up to the roof of our Manhattan 12-floor dorm,
slather on baby oil and "lay out" for 45 minutes. Ouch!
As I grew up there was at least once or twice a year
when we would be "down the shore," as we called it, or
in my midwestern days, at Michigan sand dunes,
always without sunscreen. We didn't know better back then.
always without sunscreen. We didn't know better back then.
Now I'm reaping the results of a few bad burns.
When my father got skin cancer I realized I needed to be cautious and
wear sun screen. I could already see sunspots appearing on my
skin, which is so much like his. An uncle of mine died of a misdiagnosed
melanoma. Others I knew either survived or died from melanomas.
I began to fear melanoma.
(I now spend most of my time in the shade.)
Then my mother got an ocular melanoma (thankfully she did well).
I began going to the dermatologist for a full body check once a year.
The Gardener, who has olive skin, had some basal cell cancer spots removed.
A year ago I had my annual skin check. I have lots of spots and
most of them are OK. My doctor was just finishing when she said,"What's this?"
pointing to the tiniest freckle near my knee.
"Oh that's only a freckle," I replied.
She insisted on taking a slice of it. Before long I received the phone call.
Not quite what the dreaded phone call, but close enough.
"Pre-melanoma."
I went back for surgery. Thankfully the margins were clear.
Six months later I went for another check to be sure it still looked good.
I share this in case you might be someone who
should think about going for a skin check.
A tiny freckle that I would have passed over as nothing
is what really "woke me up."
So good that you had a perceptive Doctor. None of us realised in those days just how harmful the sun could be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting about this, Dotsie. Most of us grew up with no sunscreen. In fact it was called suntan lotion! Baby oil and iodine was used then! My hubby has to see the derm every six months to have precancerous lesions taken care of. Now we wear hats, sunscreen and stay in the shade like you. Glad everything is okay with you. ♥
ReplyDeleteOh it really is scary to think of our days in the sun with baby oil or cocoa butter. Yikes. I'm a shade person now and keep an eye on those pesky things that show up on my skin.
ReplyDeleteAnd now we also have an epidemic of Vitamin D deprived folks, especially in my corner. One wishes for balance that's for sure. So glad that your doctor was paying close attention. I have a number of spots, but have not thought about going to a specialist for them. I will, however, keep a close eye on them.
ReplyDeleteA timely post - my husband went to a specialist today for some troubling skin things and will be going back next week for a core biopsy and then a surgical removal. They are confident it's basal cell, which doesn't tend to spread, but it's good to keep an eye on these things. So happy that yours is contained and taken care of.
ReplyDeletePodso,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the effects of too much of a good thing, dear friend!
Iam so~o~o glad your physician located the problem and diagnosed your quickly!
As a youth, I could lie in the sun for hours without burning.
With my partial Italian heritage, I turned a beautiful bronze skin tone.
However, to my horror. . .I had moles on my face which grew with the sun bathing.
My MoMa took me to a dermatologist, and I had to have them all removed. . .painfully so!
That was the end of my sun bathing days!
LOVE the last photo!
Fondly,
Pat
I am well into my 50s and have never had a skin check up. But again I was always the one out of the sun - while my sister's and friends earnestly tried to tan - I was the weird one who was channeling her inner Jane Austen and not tanning. I was always under a hat or tree or umbrella or roof. And always used sunscreen, even when I was teased. I am Irish on both sides and paranoid.....but I DO need this reminder, Dot, cuz there are a few weird places I am worried about. Thank you for caring enough to share this reminder of how important it is to get checked.
ReplyDeleteIf I haven't written you by end of Jan that I went, please remind me - as I am horribly forgetful and more concerned about other health issues - but I can no longer go unchecked. That's dumb.
Hugs! ♥♥♥
Scary, isn't it when we are now starting to pay for numerous sunburns as young people? I've had one mole removed and have to keep an eye out but I think a full body check each year should be part of my physical as well. Those years in the sun without sunscreen have really added to the facial wrinkles too. :-( Yup, a shade child here too these days.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, Dotsie. I am so happy that yours was easily treated! Five years ago, my good friend lost her 58yo husband to malignant melanoma. It is good to be aware.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad your Dr. found that tiny spot! I have never been checked and know I better get there. I was a sun worshipper too. In those days we didn't know. I have a neighbor who has had some cancer spots removed and still lays out??? Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! To think what that tiny freckle might have done, unattended! glad you told us about this, Dotsie. I remember my city high school friends lying out in the summer with baby oil on their skins. I was busy riding horse, playing football, and working in the garden, but still I suppose I should check into this. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSteve has had melanoma twice and fortunately I spotted the problem in the early stages.
ReplyDeleteWe are both good now, but the damage was done when we were kids growing up on southern California beaches.
I saw your comment on my blog, but your comments never appear in my email. I am amazed that pansies survive beneath the snow. I didn't realize they were so hardy. Pansies are in our garden nearly year round.
Oh I cringe too when I think of the time I spent lathered up in baby oil and "laying out" Countless hours that's for sure. I have had one small basil cell removed and watch everything closely now....but my poor hubby. He is a VERY fair skinned, blue eyed blonde and has probably had 15 or more spots removed. Most basil, but also a couple squamous, and one dreaded melanoma. He is at the dermatologists every six months for a complete scan. It's been somewhat of a nightmare for him, and he has slathered himself in sunscreen daily for years now and stays completely out of the sun as best as he can. Most of his damaged came from years ago. I am sooo glad our kids and grandkids are educated now on the dangers in not protecting your skin. Good post! Enjoy your week-end!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in Southern California I had several sunburns. I keep and eye out for changes to my skin now.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you got a good report. I get a full body skin check every year, too. Personal experience with the nearest and dearest has put the "fear of god" into me about early sun exposure. I make the husband get checked out, too. A few days ago, I had another biopsy, but I am not expecting anything terrible. Sunscreen, staying out of the sun, long sleeves and long pants -- my best friends. I remember when girls used to slather up with iodine and baby oil and "lay out" - fortunately my mother did not allow this. My Irish skin just did not tan, and would blister almost in the shade. You have done a great public service with this post.
ReplyDeleteThis hits home for me ...am halfway to 100 and have never been to a dermatologist. When I was a child I spent nearly everyday of summer in the sun at our community pool. My parents believed in getting a good tan, and we never used sunscreen. Unfortunately, I just burn and turn back white as a lily. :( It is probably time to get checked... I just really don't wish to have one more doctor. I keep an eye on the spots on me, which are pretty many, and try to notice if there are changes. But, I am obviously untrained in what to look for. Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteSuch good advice, I have been going to a dermatologist for cyrotherapy. We must be diligent with our health care.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful that your keen-eyed doctor spotted the little spot before it got any larger. Warning taken, and appreciated! The pictures you shared looked very relaxing and lovely :)
ReplyDeleteAll that damage we did is just under the skin and makes its appearance much, much later in life. I know I have damage. And also have an allergy to the sun. I'm always confused with what you find online as the signs of skin cancer (moles and such) and what actually turns out to be melanoma in real life. Doesn't seem to match up and everyone's body is different. I really should see a dermatologist one day.
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