My new favorite brand of sunscreen for the face: Blue Lizard.
Blocks UVA/UVB. Not greasy, not too filmy white, but a bit on the expensive side. While researching I was amused to learn that Blue Lizard also sells "economy" gallon containers (for $250).
I haven't visited in a while! You look great! My scar has settled in nicely also and I have stopped trying to "blend" it in with the rest of my skin using a special makeup. I guess that means I now accept it. I still hate the sun to hit my face directly but I will look for Blue Lizard because I miss the beach so much. Continued good luck with your derm visits! Joyce
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce! So nice to hear your scar has settled nicely. I was outside this morning, with my Blue Lizard on. I could feel the strong sun coming through as the fog dissipated and was glad I had applied my sunscreen. I, too, am extremely aware of the sun hitting my face. My next derm visit is next week. Thank you for "stopping by."
ReplyDeleteI just found this site today as I was diagnosed last week with melanoma in situ on my cheek near my nose and was looking for others who have gone through similar circumstances. Thank you for posting your story and the pictures. The spot on my face is much like yours, but a little lower and, unfortunately, larger. My derm has scheduled me for Mohs surgery on June 19th. I am trying not to get too anxious, don't want to waste time and energy worrying about all the things that could but probably won't happen, but it is all quite unsettling. Because I know that the worst CAN happen. 4 1/2 years ago my 18 year old daughter was murdered, the unthinkable happened, so this seems pale in comparison. But this too is life changing and scary and I hate for my family to have to go through this with me after all we are already dealing with. With surgery, the pain, and the scarring, there are other losses too. Boating and lake time, fun in the sun, as a family has been part of our grief therapy and that will be significantly impacted by all of this.
ReplyDeleteI meet with the surgeon on the 18th and have been writing my list of questions to ask him. I am 55 years old and remember having my share of sunburns throughout the years. I am pretty religious about using sunscreen but will be even more so now. I will have to check out this Blue Lizard.
Are there any questions that you wished you would have asked your dermatologist and had answers to before you had your surgery?
Thanks, Teesha
Unsettling is an accurate way of describing it. I'm so sorry about your daughter. That is so tragic and sad. Also sorry that your boating and lake fun will have to change because of this. I've found ways to spend time outdoors, well covered, despite going through this. I believe you'll still find ways to cover up your skin and still enjoy the lake...or maybe go out boating later in the day/evening.
DeleteThe thing I wish I'd done is obtain a third opinion from one more pathologist. My biopsy was looked at by two different pathologists, but I would have felt better (in retrospect) if I'd had one more.
One gallon of sunscreen! The truth is that if people bought it in larger quantities, maybe they'd be more willing to slather it on versus when they buy these tiny 3-ounce containers.
ReplyDeleteI live in Florida and it's so hard to get people to understand how much damage the sun can cause to their skin. It's especially hard to get youth to understand that if they keep up their bad sun habits, they'll look 50 when they're only 30.
Thanks for spreading the word about sun-damaged skin! And for sharing your experience.
Judy
Thank you for your comment, Judy. Florida is where I had one of my worst blistering sunburns when I was a college student. I wish the sunscreen makers would lower their prices a bit so it wouldn't cost so much to do the slathering :)
DeleteHI again! Just an update on my mom's Moh's surgery (for basal cell) she had last month. A few days ago, she had to have another surgery done at Scripps Hospital by a specialist because her wound (same place as yours Joyce) was healing (and shrinking) and pulling the corner of her eyelid down which he said was an invitation for infection. So she had 9 stitches taken off the other eyelid and skin removed from her forehead to repair things. She's 84 and now has a huge patch over her eye and is basically blind. She goes in on June 27th to have the patch removed and hopefully see that the skin graft is taking. Also, I just had 27 stitches removed for melanoma removal...and the pathologist got it all! Now, I have another similar surgery on my other arm next week, and ANOTHER surgery the next week for melanoma on my leg. But, we're catching them early. ZERO IS MY HERO!! Thanks for posting and allowing us to vent/share.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for your mom - and you! Horrible to go through all of that, but good to get all of it removed. Zero that skin cancer!
DeleteHi and thank you for your comment. You are an inspiration to us all. If only we could go back in time to right the wrongs of the past! (not saying it was our fault but still) As for me I use zinc cream and of late, invisible zinc. Does the job but hard to get off!
ReplyDeleteTake Care and all the Best!
Peter
Hi Peter,
DeleteThank you for mentioning invisible zinc cream. I wasn't aware of the "invisible" option.
All the best to you!
Just a follow-up inquiry - How are you going?
ReplyDeleteTake care and wishing you all the best,
Peter
Hi Peter,
DeleteNice to hear from you. All is well here, thank you. In fact I was thinking it's about time to post another photo and update my blog, so thank you for putting my train of thought in this direction today.