Many years ago a good friend of mine mentioned he was going to the dermatologist for his regular check up. I guess the look on my face told him that this wasn’t a normal appointment I had ever made for myself. Being fair skinned and a child of the 80s where we sat on the beach using baby oil for a good tan as opposed to anything containing any SPF number, I was probably a pretty decent candidate for skin cancer. I listened to him and scheduled an appointment….and I’m glad he did because they did discover skin cancer in my shoulder. They took a minor chunk out of my right shoulder, stitched me up, and I healed. No big deal because it was caught early.
This morning, my wife Mary was at the dermatologist bright and early having a basal cell carcinoma removed from her nose and is currently in with the plastic surgeon having a skin graft performed. I’m awaiting the call that she’s in Post-OP so I can go pick her up.
This is part of life. And this is the easy, preventative stuff we can all do. Many cancers, diseases, illnesses, etc are treatable if caught early. Take it from me: I’ve had stitches, broken bones, concussions, dislocated ribs, been hit by a car, suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, and was attacked by a pit bull last week. If I were a cat, I’d be worried I’m down to my 9th and last life.
Most of that list above….not much I could do about it. But take care of yourself for the things you can. Schedule your dermatology appointment, your colonoscopy, your yearly physical with blood work. You want to be around for awhile for your kids and family. I know I have many more “bucket list” experiences I want to do with my family….so I’ll do my part to stick around a bit. You should do the same. And that is Good Advice.
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