Protect your ears boys

[f6john]

Not talking about loud pipes! Went to have some minor surgery on my left ear after a biopsy came back positive for skin cancer. I wasn’t worried and thought they might take a look and send me back home since my ear felt good and no pain or soreness since the biopsy, wrong. They took one slice off and sent it to the lab and an hour later came back and said they needed to go wider and deeper.

With the first slice they said they would need to do a skin graft to repair the affected area which seemed reasonable at the time. With the second slice they got everything but then the Doc says I don’t think a graft is going to work now. So I left the facility with my ear grafted to the side of my head for at least the next 3 weeks. I’m not complaining but this rally puts a crimp in my activities around the house that really need to get done.

A lot of you have had much more serious issues than this but just wanted to make this public service announcement to protect your skin as much as possible from the sun. Of course I never followed that advice myself.

[Rams]

John,
At least they caught it.   Be safe and take care of yourself.

Rams

[Serk]

It could be worse..... a friend of mine had some pain in his nether regions, they did a scan and thought it could be testicular cancer...

Saw the urologist today, they said it could be cancer or just a cyst, they won't know for sure until they remove the testicle.

It gets removed tomorrow.....

[Valkorado]

Thanks for the reminder.  I have a few patches I need to have looked at, one on my ear.  I was never a sunscreener growing up, but am becoming better about it nowadays.

Glad you got yours taken care of.

[John Schmidt]

It could be worse..... a friend of mine had some pain in his nether regions, they did a scan and thought it could be testicular cancer...

Saw the urologist today, they said it could be cancer or just a cyst, they won't know for sure until they remove the testicle.

It gets removed tomorrow.....

Scary stuff indeed. I find out Friday at my three month followup if the procedure for my prostate cancer was successful. Don't want any more ferreting around down there. 

[98valk]

unless one keeps getting sunburned the sun is not the problem.  The poor american diet of the incorrect ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 are a major problem. there are other things but most research list that as first after constantly getting sunburns.  not getting enough Vitamin D is another big reason.  and don't forget the chemicals on sun screen actually cause cancer.

[f6john]

I feel that your dna plays a part too. You see some people who look like a well done steak and don’t have skin cancer so there’s that. But I have burnt my ears to a crisp more than once some of those times riding helmetless and other times on roofing jobs. I’m reminded of Grumpy down in Florida so I know how lucky I am at my age. I’m also lucky to have a loving wife to help me along with recovery and keeping my medications on track

I’m saying a prayer for all of those mentioned tonight because I know with just the problems I have the Lord is taking care of me. I just had my cataract surgery last week and had my eye checked this Monday and I now have 20-20 vision in that eye, going to have my right eye done this coming Monday. I’ll be glad when February and March are behind me.

[Jess from VA]

Sorry for your troubles John.  Was that the left or right ear?  

I am happy to report that my MOHS basil cell cut from just below and back from my left (driver's window) side eye, has fully healed with no perceptible scar at all.  There is some residual redness, but no divot scar of any kind.  It was a pretty good chunk and I'm amazed at the good result.

I always sunblock my face (and heavy on the nose), but not so close to my eyes, the freekin' goop actually gets in my eyes. (half helmet)

Since I added medicare A & B to my retired federal civil service BC/BS insurance, I have never been billed so much as as a single copay or any other share of my medical treatment.  Not counting the initial visit and biopsy, the actual surgery on my face took in the area of one minute (after a local shot) (and the MOHS testing showed she got it all in the first cut), and the stitching took about one minute 20 seconds.  The petite young lady surgeon of about mid 30's was touted as a really top cutter, and I'm going back to her for any more of this fun that comes along.

In a series of subsequent billing statements from BC/BS, it looks like they billed in the neighborhood of two grand, but got paid much less than that.  I get no such statements from medicare, so whether or not they paid anything, I have no idea.  I have only a general idea how this all works, but since I am not being asked to pay anything (other than my premiums), I'm not kicking about it.  

My dad had about half his left (driver's window) ear removed, and they never added any back.

The back of my neck has the appearance of old leather (and has been red from both sun and bad attitude for decades), but I've never had any cancer back there.  Go figure.

Not only do I sunblock to go in the sun, I now grease up with moisturizer after every (luke warm) shower to keep from drying out and itching like I have fleas.  This is more girly than I care for, but it is working for me.  (and I don't look a day over 65  )  

[..]

The switch from a full size cowboy hat to a baseball cap helped many suffer in later life.

[Jess from VA]

This picture never stops being funny.


Hats are good (and I live in them outdoors), but cannot replace sunblock.  Since the sun isn't always straight overhead.

[Wizzard]

Being fair skinned with freckles and growing up on a farm I am very familiar with all of this. I have had at least 15 spots removed over the years and mohs surgery twice. I go for a yearly skin exam and almost always have to have stuff either frozen off or surgically removed. Its a way of life for me. All from sun damage when I was a kid according to the specialist as I have always used sun screen when riding and never sit in the sun.

[0leman]

Being fair skinned with freckles and growing up on a farm I am very familiar with all of this. I have had at least 15 spots removed over the years and mohs surgery twice. I go for a yearly skin exam and almost always have to have stuff either frozen off or surgically removed. Its a way of life for me. All from sun damage when I was a kid according to the specialist as I have always used sun screen when riding and never sit in the sun.

I too spent my youth outside and didn't wear much clothes during the summer (no shirt, shorts, and bare footed).   Spent some 3 years as a life guard at local swimming pool, again not much clothes.  Would get sunburn in April which would last till end of September.   Spent 30 years working in the woods, high elevations (anywhere from  4K to 9K'),  No sunblock.  Now get to see Skin Doc once year.  Have had spots frozen mostly.  Only two spots removed so far, one was cancerous, one not.

Now when outside have full brim hat with neck covering flap and long selves and no shorts.   One of those, "if I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself".

[Wizzard]

Being fair skinned with freckles and growing up on a farm I am very familiar with all of this. I have had at least 15 spots removed over the years and mohs surgery twice. I go for a yearly skin exam and almost always have to have stuff either frozen off or surgically removed. Its a way of life for me. All from sun damage when I was a kid according to the specialist as I have always used sun screen when riding and never sit in the sun.

I too spent my youth outside and didn't wear much clothes during the summer (no shirt, shorts, and bare footed).   Spent some 3 years as a life guard at local swimming pool, again not much clothes.  Would get sunburn in April which would last till end of September.   Spent 30 years working in the woods, high elevations (anywhere from  4K to 9K'),  No sunblock.  Now get to see Skin Doc once year.  Have had spots frozen mostly.  Only two spots removed so far, one was cancerous, one not.

Now when outside have full brim hat with neck covering flap and long selves and no shorts.   One of those, "if I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself".

Yep,, we all live and learn.    I would go out and bale hay and work on the rack wagon and get blistered at least once every summer and sometimes several times

[Jess from VA]

I too am cursed with extreme white man's paleface and body, and had many bad burns growing up.  And the painful lesson that the sun's rays can be far worse than MI in high elevations, on water, FL, and the islands.  

This tendency was cut short when I entered the Air Force and in JAG training was informed we punished people (mostly by Art 15) for rendering themselves unfit for duty by excess sunburn.  And on a strict liability basis too; we don't care if you fell asleep or didn't mean to get that badly burned, if you did it you are at fault for rendering our asset (your body) unfit for duty.  This was a novel concept for me, at first.

We treated the guy who took his no-lights dirt bike out on base at night and clothes-lined himself off his bike on a telephone pole guy wire.  Time lost from duty (in the hospital, or at home) by any member's own misconduct is actually added to the end of his enlistment.  

I had one occasion of of a bad sunburn on duty (not intentional, but certainly negligent), and I greased up and went to work anyway, painful as clothing was.  When you are in the enforcement business, you better tow the line.  My face and arms were red as a beet, and I got many humorous reminders at the office, to which I replied.... I'm here aren't I?  (And quit slapping my back, it's not that funny.)

As I was trained in Strategic Air Command; to err is human, but to forgive is not SAC policy.

[9Ball]

I had MOHS surgery on my right ear last year.  I could hear the crunching as the surgeon dug it out.  Took 15 stitches and it is still tender at times.  The protrusion in the front middle of my ear on the cheek is no longer there...removed.  At least they got that cancer removed.

Had a second cancer on the left ear in roughly the same position removed in January.

This getting old is a challenge.

During my last visit I noticed that the packed waiting room had an average age of at least 70...probably higher.  Seems all the old folk are in a similar situation.

[Jess from VA]

During my last visit I noticed that the packed waiting room had an average age of at least 70...probably higher.

THIS!!

If I was at all conflicted about avoiding sun exposure (I wasn't), I would have been cured forever by just sitting in the MOHS waiting room where (mostly old folks) are shuttled in and out all day getting more chunks cut off them, with temporary bloody bandages affixed while they wait to find out if they got it all, or have to be cut on some more. 

The worst guy had what looked like some kind of pointy volcano growing out of the top of his bald head (like 3+" tall).  I had to stop starring at him as it was seriously freaking me out.

Just like taking a wayward child to sit in court for a day to dose him with reality about his hooligan ways, take any sunbather to a MOHS surgery waiting room.

Not only are they mostly old, they are mostly pale.   

Sunny days are great, but the sun is not your skin's friend. 

[Wizzard]

During my last visit I noticed that the packed waiting room had an average age of at least 70...probably higher.

THIS!!

If I was at all conflicted about avoiding sun exposure (I wasn't), I would have been cured forever by just sitting in the MOHS waiting room where (mostly old folks) are shuttled in and out all day getting more chunks cut off them, with temporary bloody bandages affixed while they wait to find out if they got it all, or have to be cut on some more. 

The worst guy had what looked like some kind of pointy volcano growing out of the top of his bald head (like 3+" tall).  I had to stop starring at him as it was seriously freaking me out.

Just like taking a wayward child to sit in court for a day to dose him with reality about his hooligan ways, take any sunbather to a MOHS surgery waiting room.

Not only are they mostly old, they are mostly pale.   

Sunny days are great, but the sun is not your skin's friend. 

That is a very good description Jess. Exactly what it is like

[Davemn]

unless one keeps getting sunburned the sun is not the problem.  The poor american diet of the incorrect ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 are a major problem. there are other things but most research list that as first after constantly getting sunburns.  not getting enough Vitamin D is another big reason.  and don't forget the chemicals on sun screen actually cause cancer.

Where did you get your MD degree that allows you to give medical advice? My MD boarded dermatologist never mentioned my sunscreen causing my melanoma.

[Davemn]

No mention below about anything diet related. LISTEN to your Doctor.....not some internet guy with little or no medical training. Very dangerous!

American Academy of Dermatology

Follow these tips to protect your skin from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays and reduce your risk of skin cancer:

Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
Wear protective clothing, such as a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, when possible.
Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreen provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Use sunscreen whenever you are going to be outside, even on cloudy days.
Apply enough sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. Most adults need about 1 ounce — or enough to fill a shot glass — to fully cover their body.
Don’t forget to apply to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears and the top of your head.
When outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
Use extra caution near water, snow and sand, as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.
Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from tanning beds can cause skin cancer and premature skin aging.
Consider using a self-tanning product if you want to look tan, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
Perform regular skin self-exams to detect skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable, and see a board-certified dermatologist if you notice new or suspicious spots on your skin, or anything changing, itching or bleeding.

[98valk]

No mention below about anything diet related. LISTEN to your Doctor.....not some internet guy with little or no medical training. Very dangerous!

American Academy of Dermatology

Follow these tips to protect your skin from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays and reduce your risk of skin cancer:

Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
Wear protective clothing, such as a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, when possible.
Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreen provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Use sunscreen whenever you are going to be outside, even on cloudy days.
Apply enough sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. Most adults need about 1 ounce — or enough to fill a shot glass — to fully cover their body.
Don’t forget to apply to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears and the top of your head.
When outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
Use extra caution near water, snow and sand, as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.
Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from tanning beds can cause skin cancer and premature skin aging.
Consider using a self-tanning product if you want to look tan, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
Perform regular skin self-exams to detect skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable, and see a board-certified dermatologist if you notice new or suspicious spots on your skin, or anything changing, itching or bleeding.

you continue to amaze about your limited knowledge or lack there of.

https://www.canceroz.com/2018/05/sunscreen-causes-cancer.html

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dr-mike-hart/does-sunscreen-cause-cancer_b_3280578.html

https://draxe.com/beauty/best-sunscreens/
A FDA-led study released in January 2020 suggests we should all choose sunscreen with caution, though. According to the new study findings, “Chemical sunscreen ingredients are systemically absorbed after one application, and some ingredients can stay in the blood for at least 3 weeks.”

All six active ingredients tested readily absorbed into the bloodstream of humans in the study — and at concentrations that surpass an important FDA safety threshold.

[Wizzard]

That is why as I just returned from a 2 week trip to Mexico I stayed in the shade.
I repeat,, most of the damage to my skin is from years ago as a teen. We did not even know about sunscreen.