Another Summer Hiding from the Sun

As I enter my 3rd year of NED, I know I can only look forward. I need to look forward and forget the painful moments of the last 3 years.  I need to let go of the pain  from almost dying from cancer & the turmoil it caused my family. The pain from losing our beloved cabin and leaving a place I loved....because the most important thing is I lived.

Whenever I see someone who is fighting cancer, I want to hug them and tell them I KNOW, I know the pain of the fight!! I know the fear of facing death. I KNOW these things intimately, yet I hold back and remember that I am alive and today is a day to enjoy and not dwell on the past.

Everyday I know there are people fighting the BEAST. There is Adrienne in Canada, fighting melanoma with all she has!! There is Michaela in LAs Vegas.... also fighting with all her soul. There are many more as my online support group grows every day.... and I HATE IT.

Today, I will hide from the sun, under my wide brim hat and under my sun shirt... I will slather on the sunscreen.  I will watch all the really TAN people and want to yell at the top of the LUNGS, "TANNING IS NOT HEALTHY!!"


Today I will hide from the sun and HONOR those who did not beat the beast, like Jilllian & Tina and the many others.  BECAUSE, I am a SURVIVOR. Bless those who are fighting any type of cancer.

Stop the MADNESS

Feeling Frustrated today... with the start of summer vacation for so many people, and the misunderstanding that so many people have about melanoma.... like it is "just skin cancer" and you can cut it out.

PEOPLE!!!!  REALLY???  Melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer and is often fatal. The statistcs for survival have improved...but too many people are being told that there is nothing anyone can do for them.  Does this sound like something you can just cut out??

I want to share some information about melanoma, as seen at skincancer,org


http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma

 "Both UVA and UVB rays are dangerous to the skin, and can induce skin cancer, including melanoma. Blistering sunburns in early childhood increase risk, but cumulative exposure also may be a factor. People who live in locations that have more sunlight — like Florida, Hawaii, and Australia — develop more skin cancers. Avoid using a tanning booth or tanning bed, since it increases your exposure to UV rays, raising your risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers."

USE SUNSCREEN &  COVER UP this summer!!
DO NOT GET A BASE TAN.... it will not "help" or "prevent" sunburns.

#sunburns=melanoma

#beatingcancer4mydaughter

 

 

Melanoma is real, it is not FUNNY to sunburn.... WE NEED TO STOP the MADNESS.