No Dermatologist until January 2013 NO MATTER WHAT!

I really appreciate the email and comments I've received from readers of my blog.  I hope it has been helpful to some of you as to what to expect from topical chemotherapy.  I really hope it inspires and educates rather than frightens anyone.  I'll willingly do it again, but I'll be a little better prepared next time. I reread my blog for the first time in a long time today, and much of the experience I have totally forgotten.  I will need to reread it again before I start my next course so that I have all the proper lotions on hand, and I will never forget to talk to my doctor about pain management in advance. 

My dermatologist says I don't have to go back and see him again until January 2013.  I have to tell you that in early June I broke out in a rash/hives on my arms and legs and flew to California for my sister's wedding. Perfect timing of course!  I just could  not bring myself to go back in to the dermatologist, and luckily it cleared up and went away on it's own.  He is one of the nicest doctors on the face of the Earth, but I just couldn't stand the thought of seeing him again before January. 

It's Summertime here on the Gulf Coast of Florida.  This summer I've played outdoors with my kids quite a bit.  I wear lots of hats, and sunglasses, and my sunblock everyday.  We go to the beach!  Yep, and I wear a swimsuit!!  We go early around 9 or 10 AM  or later in the afternoon, around 5PM.  Not too early or too late though because everyone around here knows that sharks eat breakfast at sunrise and dinner at sunset and I already have enough to worry about.  I apply sunblock to my kids and myself before we even leave the house, that way it gives it lots of time to soak in.  We don't stay at the beach all day, an hour or two is plenty for the kids to swim and play.  No sunburns or over exposure on any of us this year using this method.  It's possible to still enjoy summertime, the beach etc, without getting so many of the sun's harmful rays.  No more sunbathing, but it's more fun to play with my children anyway. 

One of the best things happening is it seems that the days of getting those dark tans is quickly becoming a thing of the past.  It no longer seems so cool to have a dark tan.  In my eyes I see that and I see damaged skin, much the way I see someone with a face wrinkled from years of smoking.  It doesn't look healthy in fact, it looks unhealthy. I really dark tan looks, well......nasty.   I don't mind my legs being white anymore either, I once tried to have the darkest legs on the beach, I'm now quite satisfied with my white legs.  I'm satisfied to have another summer of playing with my kids and being here to love them and laugh with them.  I still pray the skin cancer stays at bay so I will be here for my children for many years to come.  I don't expect you will hear much from me until January 2013. 

A final note......I am really interested in all of the media about tanning beds lately.  I started tanning beds around 12 or 13 years old, until a few years ago. I always thought I was bulletproof and they would have a cure for skin cancer before I got old.  I totally support legislation that bans minors from using sunbeds.  I found it rather amusing that one state had a stipulation that they must have signed parental permission.  I wondered if parents could sign for their children to purchase a carton of cigarettes in this state.   Just a thought. 

Keep me posted on things.  I read all of your emails and posts, and keep you all in my prayers. 

Christina