Ever since I was little, I have loved the feeling of the sun on my skin, the warmth, the lovely glow my darkened skin gave me. I grew up in the 70s and 80s…when people used suntan lotion and oil, not sunscreen. When people I knew used those crazy aluminum foil-looking reflectors to encourage the sun to bake them up nice and crispy. I used to lay in the sun for hours upon hours, reading and listening to the radio. The sun making me a lovely golden brown and making my hair more and more blond as the summer days stretched on.
To this day, well, yesterday, now, I still love the sun and the healthy look it gives me. Sadly, all those years in the sun have caught up to me.
I had a mole on my leg removed on Monday; today I got my lab results back with the diagnosis of melanoma. Skin cancer. (pause her for a big, deep breath) Treated early, it shouldn’t be a big deal. What I don’t know yet is if it’s early or not. So far, signs are pointing to early. I’m waiting for a call back for an appointment at the skin cancer clinic at U of M; only the best, of course.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t freaked out a bit. I would also be lying if I told you that I won’t miss being healthier looking with a tan. Someone better teach me how to love sunscreen and spray tans pretty quick.
I guess the sun is setting on my carefree youth in an irrevocable manner.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, my goodness. I am so sorry for you. I’m sure everything will be okay but I know how scary it is.
I am blonde, freckly, and fair. Every year, I get a mole or two removed that “looks suspicious” but so far nothing.
I still sit in the sun but always with SPF30 or 50. And I have gotten the Mystic Tan before an even and it looks great and natural.
Vanity is not a high enough price for me.
Good luck and keep us posted!
.-= AndreAnna´s last [bit of blogging genius] ..A Three-Year-Old Con Artist =-.
Yes, scary is the perfect word! Thanks – and thanks for letting me know about the Mystic tan being good! hehe
Three words – Jergens Natural Glow – http://www.jergens.com/Our_Collection/Product_Detail.asp?ProductID=33
Good luck, I’m sure it will be fine!
.-= Megan´s last [bit of blogging genius] ..19 =-.
Oh, wow. I’m so sorry. I hope you get good news soon sweetie. xo
.-= annettek´s last [bit of blogging genius] ..If you aren’t going to BlogHer, well, I’m sorry for this =-.
Thanks! 🙂
Oh, that’s stressful. I hope that this was indeed found early.
.-= alejna´s last [bit of blogging genius] ..14 juillet, 1989 =-.
Signs so far pointing to early, so keeping fingers crossed. 🙂
Just went through this with my husband a couple of weeks ago. So sorry you have to go through this painful waiting period. Hoping it was caught early and all is well!
.-= Sarah @ Ordinary Days´s last [bit of blogging genius] ..Someone Please Keep Me From Ripping My Eyelid Off =-.
Thank you Sarah!!
Hope all is well with your results Dawn. I live in the Valley of the Sun and have fair skin so I have to be careful….I remember having serious burns when I was a kid and as a teenager I wore suntan oil or used liquid crisco…stupid! My dermatologist said I should always wear a hat and sunscreen of at least 50 SPF…I have since then used spray tans or just go ghostly white. Take care…will say a prayer that everything is ok.
Thanks Amy!