fun in the sun, the SMART way
PLEASE NOTE: Lara’s blog is not feeling well today. Please visit An Ordinary Mom to link your SHS post and to check on all the other SMARTy pants in bloggityville :O)
I learned yesterday that a good friend was recently diagnosed with skin cancer. I cannot at this point in time properly process that information except to know how strongly I feel for her. She is an amazing woman. I have admired her since we first met 7 years ago on the playground of our children’s school. I cannot imagine what she has been going through nor the pain she has had to endure after having a chemotherapy face wash to remove the malignant cells. it has taken her 2 weeks to finally be able to blink and speak without excruciating pain. It will take at least 2 months for her to heal from this treatment and is to go back to her doctor in December to see if there are any cancer cells left. I care for her deeply and am at a loss as how I can help.
I do know this, she urged me to wear sunscreen. If there is anything that she would like from this experience outside of healing completely it is for others to learn from it. In turn I am urging all of you who might be reading this. Please pester all of your loved ones as well!
Did you know that sun damage takes years to show up? I have recently developed some brown spots on my face and my doctor has informed me this damage is from 20 years ago. Yup you read that correctly, it wasn’t a typo – 20 years! Part of me feels so defeated by that information. I mean, if the damage has already been is it really worth doing anything about it now? The answer is YES! Apparently sun damage happens sort of exponentially and so therefore the more I expose my skin, even now, the more damage will be caused in the coming years. All the more reason to slather up your kids no matter how much they might whine or how many grimacing faces they might make at you!
Did you know that you should reapply sun screen every two hours? This is because, in a matter of a couple of hours, the protection has become less potent, been sweated or rubbed off. If you wear make up, be sure to use mineral based foundations and powders. These have natural UV protection and should also be reapplied every 2 hours.
Did you know that sun damage can occur even on overcast days? That’s right! Those pesky UV rays can even make their way through the clouds. Besides, applying sunscreen even on those cloudy days will help keep it a habit.
Did you know that you should see a professional every year? I am not talking about the lovely woman who gives you a facial every now and then but a certified dermatologist. She is the most trained to detect any suspicious patches on your skin. This is how my friend learned of her cancer. She is lucky enough to have caught it early enough.
Did you know that skin cancer is still cancer? I know that sounds silly but most people tend to think of it more lightly than they should. Skin cancer is cancer and like all other types of cancer it is serious and can spread to other parts of the body. It is however, more than any other type of cancer preventable!
For more information or tips to help keep yourself and your loved ones protected, please visit The Skin Cancer Foundation.
So my new habit is to apply sunscreen everyday every couple of hours. I am hoping to use the end of my classes as a reminder to reapply. Before I leave the room I can just reach in my bag and take a minute to apply. That’s it, just a minute or two and I will be going a long way to protecting my skin now and for the future! I am also going to wear the hats I bought myself too! I know they will make me look ridiculous at school but I already don’t “fit in” in so many other ways, what’ the difference? Besides, I am grown up enough to put my health and well being above looking cool.
I still need to work on my other habits. I have been so lazy but let’s just leave that for another post for right now. Check out all the other SMARTness going on at The Lazy Organizer.
I hope your friend is able to beat the cancer.
You shared some excellent tips today. I have quite a few moles that I really need to get checked out. Thanks for the reminder!