I often get asked and I am sure my fellow melanoma warriors also get asked if we still have fun in the sun. The answer is Yes. A melanoma diagnosis does not mean you can never go outside or continue doing the things that you love…you now just have to be smart about it. I will admit, however, about 4 years after my initial melanoma diagnosis we purchased a boat and I was a little nervous about this. I knew that we would have friends on the boat and I would probably be the only one who wanted the top (of the boat) on and the only one lathered in SPF 100 sunscreen. To my surprise, that was not true. Yes, my friends did leave our boat sometimes burnt to a crisp, but you can only provide so much education until you sound like a “party pooper”. I didn’t hide my scars around my friends while I was onboard in a swimsuit and I took every opportunity to educate regarding melanoma prevention (sunscreen use, hats, sunglasses, etc.). One time, I missed a very small area on my left shoulder blade while applying sunscreen and turned a little pink. I was terrified for days/weeks after this sun exposure. Unfortunately, this is how us melanoma survivors live daily. Lots of fear. Needless to say, I was very thorough with my sunscreen application after that episode. We have since sold the boat, but I do still like to spend time at the beach and I enjoy being outdoors doing almost anything.
Here are some of my post-melanoma diagnosis activities AND proof that melanoma survivors/warriors STILL have fun in the SUN…
I’m the pale one in the middle partially in the shade with the hat on acheter viagra pour homme.
Here I am actually in the water for a brief second and then back on the boat where sunscreen was re-applied.
Me, hat and lots and lots of sunscreen.
One of my favorite outdoor activities – riding in our 1979 Jeep CJ-9.
Sometimes you just have to catch the sunrise on the beach…
