Nag, nag, nag!

[billyruffn]

-- Content Warning --


Went to see my friendly surgeon today. Photo of his handy work is below.



Story goes like this -- in January my barber, bless her heart, said, "Hey, you've got a spot on your head you should have a doctor look at." A month later I saw my dermatologist. The biopsy she took indicated a "melanoma in situ". Fortunately, it's very treatable -- when you catch them this early all you do is have them cut out. All done!

Now my kids have been nagging me for years about sunscreen, but after a few months in the Caribbean sun in '05-'06 I was as brown as a native and didn't worry about sunscreen most days. BUT I did wear my hat!!!!

And as you can see below, it was not the right kind of hat.



So all you SailNetters out there, I know I may sound like a nag, but this summer when your in the sun and on the water, don't forget:

1. SUNSCREEN (higher number the better)

2. COVER UP (long sleeves / pants)

3. BROAD BILLED HAT (no holes)

I'm a lucky guy. My barber and my doctor caught it early. Don't let it happen to you! (and especially, don't let it happen to your kids, which the doctor says is usually when the initial skin damage is done).

[xort]

Yea right! You expect us to believe that? Looks like a backend lobotomy scar to me. Did you have much for them to remove?

[SVlagniappe]

Thanks for your post. A vivid warning that everyone should follow. Especially good advice about the kids.

Best of luck to your recovery and send a gift to your barber!

[sailortjk1]

My wife is going to love you for this. She works in Oncology and is ALWAYS lathering me in sunscreen; and I hate it.

I'm very relieved to hear that you got it in time.

Thanks Billy

[CharlieCobra]

This is usually what I have on when the sun actually shines up here, which is rarely.

[buckeyesailor]

You mean the extra baggy shirt?......haha

seriously,.....just saw my Dermatologist yesterday.....had a few spots frozen....all good........you can never be too careful when it comes to sun protection.........lost a friend from that a few years back.

[sailingdog]

The position of the melanoma is very telling... I have and wear a Tilley hat much of the summer....

Don't forget sunglasses. The additional UV you get due to reflecting off the water really makes good sunglasses a necessity. UV exposure leads to cataracts and other eye problems...

[scottbr]

Glad to hear it's ok.

I'm not a big sun person and usually prefer the shade and the Tilley is SOP when I'm not in the shade.

[Faster]

Good catch! You're lucky to have such an observant barber (and not too much hair there )

Timely warning, good post.

[camaraderie]

Had the same thing on the face not too long ago Billy. Found this hat gives the most protection.


Comes in olive or khaki. 4-5" brim all around. Cooler than a Tilley.
Large Size Hats - Wide Brim Sun Protection Hats