Bittersweet
As an adult I’ve learned to appreciate my red hair. As a child, not so much. Let’s face it … children can be cruel.
And oh by the way,
carrot tops are green, Einstein.
I love that. I saw it on a t-shirt. I have to get it.
Carrot tops are also prone to skin cancer.
I’m no exception.
Back in February of this year I went to the dermatologist when I realized a spot on my face wasn’t going away after six months. I assumed it was psoriasis, since my mother has it.
I was wrong.
The spot, along with two other spots, was cancerous. All three were removed by Cryosurgery (freezing by liquid nitrogen).
I went to see my dermatologist again yesterday. One spot was already coming back, so she froze it again. This time she had me in tears she froze it so long. Another spot on my arm concerned her more. She believes it is Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
I am having a biopsy done this Friday. She is confident that she found it early enough that it can be removed surgically without radiation follow up.
I have so much faith in my dermatologist that I’m not worried. Really. I’m not.
I love my hair color. It is pretty and draws much attention. But I hate it because it also makes me a high candidate for skin cancer.
And having pretty red hair isn’t worth the chance of getting skin cancer.
It’s a trade off I’m less than thrilled about.
RYN: EXACTLY. I have lived your truth for many many years myself. I’m a scorpion and my Husband is a cat. LOL. But we’re doing much better now because I’m less resentful these days. Not sure why. Yes, you and I are going to be good friends!!!
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Sending up prayers for you! I had no idea you had gone through that earlier this year, or again now. I’m so sorry to hear that! My J was a redhead in his younger years. He’s more a red/brown/mostly gray now, but his moustache is still a definite red. I had never even thought of red heads to be so prone to skin cancer…
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You are a very insightful, enlightened woman, Dear. I completely agree with your note.
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I have a sister and a brother with red hair. It’s not been easy on either of them. Hope the biopsy comes out favorably and that the treatment will be “easy” (as treatments go).
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::huge hugs::
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My grandmother and aunt had red hair. I love it, also. TI’m sorry the “pain is beauty” is a little scarier in this situation, though. he trade off isn’t too fun, but it sounds like you’re going to have good news. Thinking of you,
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Sending prayers your way. RYN: It is a Lexus Dawn
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Just stay on top of the health concerns and don’t let anything go unobserved. Oh – wear a hat and sunscreen! 🙂
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Thanks for the note….and by the way I’m a redhead too 🙂 I agree with what you said. Its also hard when your spouse doesnt think anything needs to change. Rock and a hard place.
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I am thankful that you caught it in time. You had better take care of yourself lady!
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Ref my first acts as President. You hit it on the head, lowering gas prices is the first thing I’m gonna do…..as soon as I hire that sexy secratory who will take up residence in the Lincoln bedroom….where Winston Churchill used to stay. Seriously…..it looks like we are gonna have to live with the increased gas prices. Damn it. By the way, I’m enabling a dermatologist to buy anew Cadillac every year becaiuse of his frequet need to blast places on my face with nitrogen or do squamous cell minor surgery. He loves the latter procedure because he can really make a bundle for each operation. 1st, there is the initial visit where he does a biopsy. A week later he calls me and tells me that the lab says its a Squamous cell carcinoma. The 2nd appointment is set up. I go in for the surgical procedure. He tells me to come back in ten days. 3rd appointment. I go in in ten days and he decides to wait another week before taking out the stitche. 4th Apptmt. In a week he takes out the stitches. These 4 appts are a gold mine for him because he knows I’ll be back in 3 or 4 months with another squamous cell carcinoma.
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You want believe this but the above procedure was concluded in September (there have been other previous ones)and at its conclusion he went down the hall with me to the appointment desk and said, “Make Mr Dot Com Man an appointment for about March. So my next appt. with him is now 10 Am on March 6. Stay tuned. I’ve picked you up on my favorites list. So give me a cookie.
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I hope it was caught early enough so there is no need to worry. Love that t-shirt!
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This is how he died – not skin though. It started out in his colon, then spread to his liver, stomach, lung, and eventually his brain. He had just turned 67. Get fixed. Your family & the world isn’t ready to lose someone as young and beautiful as yourself. It is a bit ironic that your next entry contains pictures of you at the beach though.
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Give me squamous cell over melanoma ( very prevalent here with the hole in the ozone layer) any day. My step-dad is a rare melanoma survivor – and my mother has had one removed too… Damn that fair Irish skin! (and loving the beach…) Take care.
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