Got A+ for the skin yesterday! Year ago, stuck my head in the little black box with blue light at a Girl's Night Out reception where the sun damage showed up. Ouch. Coincidentally, same reception this week and stuck my head in the box again....lady had to double-take and smiled when she said my skin looked more like what they see on mid-20 year olds!! (I'm 48) I looked and the difference was dramatic under that special light. Smooth and even, no splotches, which I was covered in last year. To me, I kinda look the same every day, but to friends and that little black box NOT THE SAME AT ALL! Hard to go back and see the pics now, but glad I did. Also, realize how much I tried to downplay some of the pain and emotional trauma. Did that for others that might read it because I encourage you to do it if it's being recommended. I was afraid dwelling too much on the pain & emotions would scare folks, instead of forewarning. It was a really tough couple months, but I'm doing so great now. Back to riding all the time and having great success with Neutrogena Sport Sunscreen, SPF 50 or 70 (something ridiculous of course)
I know I need to do my chest next, but am being timid. Still, that needs to be done and I'm just being a lazy baby for not doing a section every year at this time. It's just that last year was SO BAD. Work picks up like crazy right now, working nights and weekends already and mandatory weekends start in a couple weeks. The emotional trauma is more what I'm dreading. At this time of year, I stay pretty sleep-deprived and don't cope well enough with extra stress. Last year, had a maaaaajor melt-down at work during the treatment and I know it was mostly tired and over-stressed. That's a big factor for me as I pick the timing for treatment, cuz I'm going to avoid a repeat of that at any cost!
If you're on the fence, I'm grateful every day that I did it. What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger, right? Well, I'm pretty damn confident of my strength :)
Thank you so much for this blog. You are inspiration with your courage, strength and great attitude! It's been a couple of years and hope you put an update up in 2018. Would love to hear how you are. Hopefully no more treatments needed:-) All the best, Stefani in Austin, TX
ReplyDeleteHi Stefani and thanks for your note! I'm in the 18hr day throes of the FW Stock Show, so sorry for delay in appreciating your feedback :) Yep, I'm actually treating 3 spots during the Stock Show, which isn't my normal, but hey...gotta kill'em when you see them! You're right, I've kinda tapered out of documenting, but you're motivating me to do some for this latest round. Nothing big, just 3 spots on a hand, but you're reminding me that "I" see this as a lifelong journey, but others may not have that perspective and maybe I can help remind them that we have to always stay vigilant. Thanks for the push and one thing I hope to remember to write is that this is POSITIVE!! A friend at work looked at me like I was dying when I told her what was under the bandaids and was being supportive when she said she was "so sad and so sorry" I had to do this and I reminded her anytime you can kill cancer...it's a GREAT thing and nothing sad at all. I feel proactive and empowered and most cancers we can't control ourselves, but this one "I" control so I'm in 100% with no sadness at all. A dear friend is in remission after 2 yrs of dealing with a severe lymphoma and I love his tagline now...."I can't slow down, I have cancer chasing me!" Keep running hard Stefani :)
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