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
