Weekly Therapy: if it ain’t broke… it’s probably ligament damage.

November 15, 2013 - Mel

the week:
How did this week go by so fast?

I had my first follow-up dermatology appointment since my MOHs surgery. Everyone keeps telling me the scar “looks really good!” or “they did a good job!” And why do I still feel, like, HAVE YOU SEEN MY FACE?! I know, I need to get that looked at… I did get a referral for another dermatologist in the area who can treat some of my other face “issues” — procedures they don’t do in my doc’s office (microderm, deep peels, laser). So, yay?

I also openly admitted that I’m all for Botox, just “not yet.” How you know you’re a 30-something.

weekend:
Date night at the Three Rivers Film Festival. We’re going to see the Lance Armstrong documentary, and then probably get some more bourbon and snacks at Butcher & the Rye. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been dreaming about that cauliflower dish since last weekend. Yes, CAULIFLOWER.

Saturday, my team is hosting a derby training camp. Which, meh, I’m off skates because my foot started bothering me again this week (I was actually starting to get excited about skating again). Scheduling an MRI as we speak.
Sigh.

seven things, seven days:
1. Took my few days off this week to binge-watch the first two seasons of Scandal. OBSESSED!
2. A day spa is opening in my neighborhood — I’m so freaking excited!
3. Also back on the Sprig box bandwagon.
4. Now that I know we’re hosting some family for Thanksgiving, I’m starting some Holiday Meal Planning Pinning. Leave me some ideas, please!
5. The coffee table I wanted from West Elm is DISCONTINUED. I’m so mad. SO MAD.
6. Running outside in the cold. Nope. Can’t get used to it.
7. We all have people like this in our lives. Energy vampires: how to avoid being drained (and a quiz!). {via Psych Central}

Every 30-something needs… a skin cancer screening.

May 1, 2013April 19, 2018 - Mel

Listen to me. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I am a 30-something, fair-skinned, mole- and freckle-covered, former tan-addict, once-a-year accidental sunburner, beach and sun-loving woman… who just discovered she has skin cancer.

The biopsy done on my face last month: basal cell carcinoma.

Thankfully, it’s the most common and treatable type of skin cancer. I will be having MOHs surgery later this month to remove everything, with hopefully minimal scarring or disfiguring or concern for the cancer spreading. The sobering news has been a HUGE wake-up call to me. Naturally, I’ve been feeling a lot of emotions over finding out — most of which, stupidity that I could have done more when I was younger to help prevent this. Last year, I had a semi-scare, with my doctor removing two flat little freckles (not cancerous, but concerning enough to be biopsied). One of which was underneath my butt cheek. For real. My face, for whatever reason, feels REALLY personal. I have to see it every day. Underneath my rear end, it’s easy to forget the warnings.

Serious time. Listen to the advice of the experts: USE SUNSCREEN. Don’t just rely on makeup SPF. STOP TANNING. No really, not even the one before your wedding or vacation or whatever dumb excuse of an event to be tan. Get your annual screening.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, and I need to emphasize how important it is to regularly see a dermatologist and raise your awareness of skin cancer warning signs. Rite Aid and the Skin Cancer Foundation are hosting the Road to Healthy Skin Tour (in its sixth year!), which be making its way across the country throughout the summer. Full-body skin exams are conducted on a first come, first served basis available to the public. Check the Tour Schedule for locations in your area.

Check out skincancer.org for everything you need to know about the signs of skin cancer, early detection and prevention, treatments and references for dermatologists in your community.

While you’re at it, take this Skin Quiz to inform you of your risk.

Have you had your yearly skin cancer screening?

June 29, 2011April 19, 2018 - Mel

It’s probably not a good thing when your dermatologist tells you, “Wow! You have a lot of moles!”

But, this is what happens when you get to your 30s after a lifetime of worshipping the sun. Thankfully, I stopped all that nonsense a few years ago. But as you know, the damage is done. Then, she proceeds to inform me that I’ll get even MORE spots before I turn 40. And then, that sun damage will start making friends on MY FACE. Groan.

I love my new derm, by the way — especially in the way she communicates the method of protection:

Abstain (stay out of the sun)
Keep it Covered (wear appropriate clothing)
Use Protection (SPF always; sunscreen in makeup is NOT ENOUGH)

In that order, to prevent skin cancer and sun damage that’s inevitably a part of aging.

Well… today is biopsy day. I’m having three “funny” moles removed — only one of which is a raised, somewhat ugly thing in my armpit (thank the Shaving Gods that I don’t ever have to nick that thing with my razor again). The other two: one is flat, under the skin on my belly and has an irregular border; the other, is almost black in color, which I never noticed because it’s practically under my butt cheek.

I had a friend some years ago who died too suddenly because of a skin cancer issue that was left ignored and untreated for too long. You’re NOT too young, so be proactive — ALWAYS get a yearly skin cancer screening if you were a Sun Goddess in your early years (or used tanning beds ever) and ESPECIALLY if a mole ever changes. Finding this stuff early is the key to surviving it.

And remember your ABCDs:

Asymmetry
Border
Color
Diameter
Evolving