Melanoma Checkup
I had my first three-month checkup since having a melanoma removed this spring, and I'm more than happy to report that everything is OK.
Dr. Grabowski and his nurse checked every mole, freckle, and bump from the top of my head to my toes, but found nothing unusual. So I go back again in three months and call if I see anything suspicious before then.
Meanwhile, my break from chemo continues, and I see The Bone Guy next week, I believe, for another X-ray of my right arm, the one that had edema in the bone marrow. That is gradually getting better. I've stopped wearing the splint and don't need the heavy-duty pain meds any more, just naproxen once or twice a day.
The Right Sunscreen
I've written quite a bit about skin cancer recently, being newly sensitized to the disease now that I've had it. Dr. G gave me a sample of the sunscreen that he recommends to his patients.
It contains Helioplex, a true broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB protection both) ingredient. The brand I have is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunblock with SPF 70, but I believe you can buy other brands with Helioplex.
@ Jeanne Sather 2007.
Glad to hear of the clean check-up!
The best, most knowledgeable dermatologist I ever saw told me that it is not actually believed that melanoma -- which attacks people of all colors, belief systems, and walks of life -- is directly caused by sun damage, though cell damage caused by overexposure to sun among other things can help it along. However, excessive solar radiation is directly linked to other forms of skin cancer, some of which are very nasty indeed. And really, one kind is more than enough for one lifetime, wouldn't you say?
When I use sunscreen, I favor Neutrogena, too, because it's one of the few that truly work but also don't make my skin break out. If you already have at least one form of skin cancer, courting rashes is also ill-advised.
Cheers!
Posted by: Sara | July 24, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Sara--thanks for the reminder about rashes--basically, you want to treat your skin carefully and kindly.
So melanoma attacks people of all belief systems, huh? Not just non-religious people like me?
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | July 25, 2007 at 09:43 AM
Heh -- that crack about religion, etc., was in response to a hater troll who got here before me but whose remarks have since vanished. So now I look like the nutjob.
Oh, well, I am a nutjob, but not about religion. ;)
Posted by: Sara | July 25, 2007 at 04:35 PM
No, you don't look like a nutjob. I thought it was funny. But also because I've got that religion troll leaving comments on my blog too!
Posted by: Jeanne | July 26, 2007 at 08:24 AM