Afraid to go in the sun after melanoma diagnosis? Some thoughts...

[missyrand]

Sun exposure concerns are a reasonable adjustment to life with melanoma. So what are the reasonable steps everyone in your family can take? Wear sunscreen that is 30 spf and reapply, everyday. Wear hats. Wear SPF clothing that covers arms, legs, feet, chest and neck. Sunglasses! Walk on the shady side of the street. Never, ever use a tanning bed bring shade with you to the beach, sports fields, school events ( tents and pop up shelters).

Remember that although sun exposure (especially from sunburn UV exposure as a younger person)is a major contributor, it is not the only source of melanoma development

Then give some serious thought and discussion with your family as to why you are grateful to still be here, alive. What dreams and aspirations will you give your energy to? Where do you want to live, how do you want to play, with whom do you want to invest time and to what end? What adventures await your joyous embrace? What memories do you want to create that bring joy to you, and the people you care the most about?

These are the questions my husband and I have tried to live with and negotiate while iving with advanced melanoma the past 4 years. I didn’t want how we responded to cancer to limit our life. We wanted to focus of the Living blessings.

And we continue to talk these through. He remains the “not crazy about the beach” person he was before diagnosis and I’m a beach and water baby from way back. We do “beach and pool time” differently now. I know others of you do, too. I this is helpful and would love to hear other adjustments and thoughts from the HealthUnlocked caregiver community

PS we have gone to Italy with our siblings, one of whom died unexpectedly since then, and my regret if we had not embraced that long dream together with him would have deepened my grief. This year we went on a land sea cruise to Alaska over the summer solstice, again with a sibling. We danced last year at our daughters outdoor wedding. This summer we went with all 27 of my family for a beach week and spread my brother’s ashes (pop up tents, long sleeve swim shirts, no beach time between 10-4 unless with shade). We have hiked Glacier National Park and Maine seeking the wiley moose, and finally saw one in Alaska. We toured wine country after our niece’s wedding and walked Muir Woods with our daughters. We also met our daughter to spend a day dispensing Trail Magic in the form of sandwiches, cupcakes, chips and soda on her last day of a through hike of 660 miles on the Appalachian Trail. These are our memories, reflecting the joys of our love for each other and our family. We are grateful to be alive to do them, and reflecting on the anticipation and memory of each adventure has been a renewed blessing to me today. Thanks for letting me share.

Peace

Missy

[Vflowers]

Missy

I call it learning to dance on the shade. Don't stay out of the sun entirely, just be more aware of protecting the skin your in. We've been to the beach, but altered our time. We go early in the morning and stay just a few hours from 10am to 4pm we find other activities, then if we want to return to the beach , go back after 4pm. Also using sunblock and making sure we reapply every 90 minutes. We may look strange to some, but safety first. Get on out their and enjoy this planet, no need to hide. Just be safer.

[missyrand Ambassador in reply to Vflowers]

Love this image of dancing 😎

[SGHSweethearts]

Missy,

Growing up in California; living, and growing up at the beach, Mark a die hard surfer, Staying out of the sun, has not been an option for us. We have however changed the way we dress. Well, Mark has for sure. We still go to the beach, but now we are those people sitting at the waters edge under umbrella’s, in clothes, and covered with towels. We still lay there all day falling asleep listening to the crashing waves. Mark hasn’t been surfing since his diagnosis, but once he can stop the steroids 🙏🏻🙏🏻 and shed some of the weight, he would love to get back out there surfing with his buddies, and they can’t wait to have him back. He has always been a wetsuit guy, but now he will be wearing a hood as well. When we are out other places. Mark is covered in Sunscreen, and covered in clothes. Barely any skin shows anymore, but we are out enjoying everyday we can to the fullest.

Michele

[doulagirl]

We still go to the beach, lakes and parks and enjoy the sun. I have not noticed a difficulty in facing the sun with my husband, I am a little more nervous when it concerns my sons, they still are relaxed about the sunscreen and protective clothing. It's definitely a learning curve. Thank you for this thoughtful post, it is important!!

Love Dorothe