I just wanted to leave an update so you all know I'm doing fine. The summers that I went through the treatments were hard, and always in the back of my mind when I go outside. I've been lucky and made it a few years without needing another round of topical chemo. I go for a check up once or twice a year, and I am overcome by anxiety before each appointment, but they've gone pretty well. I did have to have one tiny little spot cut off my abdomen a couple of years ago that left me with a three inch scar, but I'm fifty now, and I'm glad that they got it early.
I don't go in the sun much if I can help it, but I don't totally avoid it either. I wear my SPF and try to stay covered up, and avoid sun burns, but I still fish, go boating and to the beach, just not at noon or to get a tan. The beach is beautiful around 6 PM, still a bit sunny and its pretty as the clouds turn bright pink before the sunsets. There will undoubtedly be more treatments in my future, but its important not to dwell on them, and to focus on the positive things in life. Stay strong, it totally sucks, but you will get through this!
Underneath it all
I took the color out and you can still see me behind all the red.
