Here comes the sun and the SPF45

I just found out I have an appointment to see the dermatologist tomorrow morning. I had completely forgotten about it. The appointment I mean. Not the skin cancer. The last time I was in the derm clinic, I had made a bunch of appointments for the next three years, so forgetting the dates is really not unforgivable. They told me they would call me to remind me and I told them that is a good thing. Turned out I was right. Good thing they called. I almost did a radio spot for that same time.

So, just in case you have no idea what I am talking about, I posted here in my blog a copy of my recent column that appeared in the July 16 edition of the Mille Lacs Messenger.
And for a really old column on the subject, copy and paste this address into your browser.

http://www.millelacsmessenger.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=17926&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=&S=1

So anyway, here is the column from last week's paper. Wish me luck tomorrow!!!

Here comes the sun and the SPF45

A couple of weeks ago I introduced the Messenger readers to a new found comrade — a fellow cancer survivor, Tim Joy (a/k/a/ Captain Hook).

He was diagnosed with malignant melanoma about the same time I was. It was February. It was cold then and clothing wasn’t optional. In fact layers of clothing was the norm and accepted attire this past winter. Lots of layers.

When my dermatologist told me I would need to make changes in my life I nodded and said I would. He told me the first year after being diagnosed would be the hardest.

I had no idea.

I have always been a sun worshiper. To me, there are not a lot of things that can compare to the pure pleasure of lying on the dock or on my pontoon soaking in the sun. The heat radiates to my bones, warms my soul and I just let my mind drift away to anywhere.

I don’t take a lot of time to do nothing. Most of the time I am running in a million directions at once. Raising my son and running a household while working fulltime and trying to save the world one house at a time on my days off doesn’t leave a lot of time to do nothing.

My son is growing up now and requires less constant attention and entertainment so the last couple of years have given me more freedom to sometimes do nothing. During the three months of summer, just about any weekend (when not on an assignment) for a few hours during the peak rays of sun (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) you could find me on my dock soaking in the sun.

In reality, sunbathing isn’t doing nothing. I am using solar energy to recharge my batteries. It works for my garden lights, so it should work for me. That and the fact that even cellulite looks better when it is a nice shade of golden brown.

So there I was last February learning that my vanity-driven-sunbathing-battery-charging days were going to have to be over. No longer will I be able to take a 20-minute vacation at the tanning salon, or spend time on the dock — or even outside — without totally covering up my skin with clothing and a big floppy hat.

The reality of that didn’t hit me until summer came. And I am not certain it has really kicked in completely. Finding sunscreen with an SPF45 or greater isn’t all that hard. It is remembering to put it on every day and keep reapplying throughout the day when I am in the sun.

I forget to cover up. When it’s hot, the last thing I want to do is wear a long-sleeved shirt. As for the hat thing — I agree with Tim Joy, I hate that hat. It messes with my hair style and I can’t take photographs with the brim of a hat getting inside my view finder. Since I physically feel fine and always did, I sometimes tend to forget I even went through the ordeal. Until I see the ugly scar on my arm. Which happens several times a day.

I agree with Tim, that hearing those three words, “You have cancer” was life-changing. Although I am working on changing my habits on the outside, it is what changed on the inside that matters most to me now. The scar is a constant reminder to not take myself so seriously, or the rest of the world for that matter. Little moments are the best and sometimes one smile means more than all the flowers in my garden.

I don’t want to hide from the sun. But I will use the SPF45.

“Just living is not enough... One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
- Hans Christian Andersen

Vivian Clark is a Messenger staff writer. vclark@millelacsmessenger.com