How about a little skin cancer to start the week?

Image by Yinan Chen

I noticed the spot during the summer. I think. No big deal. Although it was a bit inflamed during the week I spent at the beach in August. Hmm. I'll just keep an eye on it, I thought. 

By December, I started feeling a bit uneasy about it. This small spot on my upper chest just didn't look right. Occasionally, it bled. I'll call the doctor in January. Then my mom died. The first two months of the year were a blur. But I did finally schedule an appointment with the doctor last week. He took one look and decided to do a biopsy -- right then and there. 

This morning, I am heading to a dermatologist to discuss the course of action. The biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma, not basal cell, as I suspected. And there are three spots, not one. Three. Crap. 

Let's face it, when it comes to pain, I am a baby. The spot that was biopsied on Tuesday still hurts. What the doctor will do today will be even worse. I do not like this one bit.

Plus, due to my uber-sensitivity to chemicals, the numbing shot made me sick. It triggered my Epstein Barr Virus Syndrome and I spent quite a bit of time in bed last week. Doesn't my body know I have no time for such nonsense?? 

So... skin cancer. Who's to blame? I guess the question should really be What's to blame, since I'm not going to blame my parents, who didn't think twice about letting me roast in the sun summer after summer. With nearly white hair, I had a golden tan from June through September. We would spend days at the beach and I would lie in the sun slathered, not in sunscreen, but in baby oil! That was the norm in the 60s and 70s. In the winter, my friends and I would put color in our cheeks by baking under sunlamps. Where is the rewind button?????

Between the endless hours of sunning and the countless applications of toxic lotions throughout the years, it's no wonder I have skin cancer. Seriously.

And then there are still those who choose to bake in tanning beds week after week. What is wrong with this picture? Or those who allow their teenagers to do so. Wake up, folks. Cancer is not something you want to invite into your kids' lives. My parents didn't know better. But you do. Protect your kids, even if they momentarily hate you for it.

I'm not saying a little bit of sun is bad for you... actually, I believe we all need it. But artificial sun? Really? I'll say no more.   

Anyway, this is how I'm starting my week. I hope yours is beginning on a more positive note.   

Vinegar Friday -- A wrinkle in time

TGIVF!

Hmm... what do raw eggs, vinegar and honey have to do with wrinkles?

So much of the time, I write posts/sponsor giveaways aimed at young parents. But the fact is, I'm not a young parent... oh, maybe the title of the blog gave that away! I am a grandma, after all. And, I know some of you are my age. That's why I thought I'd write a little bit about wrinkles. Do you love them or hate them? Me? I'm not a fan. Yes, I know they are supposed to be signs of a life well-lived, or whatever, but I could do without.

My main problem spots are under my eyes and under my arms. Yuck. There are so many commercials and magazine ads that promise amazing results with wrinkle treatments that are no doubt toxic. So what's a person to do? 

I have a few suggestions. First of all, look for natural anti-aging skin products that use safe ingredients. For instance, Frownies.com has an under eye cream that has the following ingredients: Cactus collagen, bear berry extract(Arbutin), vitamin C, E and hyaluronic acid. glycerin, aloe vera, vitamin B3, L-Lactic acid, Dimethicone, Xantham Gum. They're all safe. Since I haven't tried the product, I can't vouch for its effectiveness, but at least I know it's out there. 

Look for products that are free of

• parabens
• polysorbate
• fragrance
• phthalates
• lauryl sulfate
• sodium laureth
• disodium EDTA

And, of course, stay away from companies that are testing their products on animals.
 

Another suggestion is to try to find natural remedies. An example would be Martha Washington's Vinegar Facial Mask, featured in Chapter 8 of my book, Vinegar Fridays. Supposedly, Martha won the heart of our first president after he was drawn to her glowing skin. I can't guarantee this will ward off wrinkles, but it will nicely condition your skin, which is a good start.

Just whip up an egg with a teaspoon of honey and 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Apply to your face and relax for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. I actually think I'm going to give this a try tonight.

Finally, and this one is directed at those of you who haven't discovered your first wrinkle yet -- stay out of the tanning beds!! A healthy dose of natural sunshine is healthy for you. Allowing it to absorb into your skin is a great way to load up on Vitamin D. However, tanning under unnatural lights is not only stupid, but it doesn't get much more unhealthy than that! Unless you actually want to be battling leathery, wrinkled skin by the time you're in your mid-40s,  you need to steer clear of the tanning booths. 

Several months ago, I saw an old acquaintance who is about my age (mid-50s). I didn't recognize her and couldn't believe it was actually her. Had I not known her, I would have guessed her age to be mid-70s to 80. Seriously. Every inch of her face, after years of tanning, was covered in wrinkles. It was hideous. 

Now, when I see younger acquaintances with dark brown skin (in the middle of winter, no less), I wish I had a picture of this woman to show them. If vanity draws you to the tanning bed at 30, what will happen when you look in the mirror at 50 and see an old woman? Vanity won't change, but your skin certainly will.

Keeping it green, and smooth, with vinegar,

Hana

Thursday's Truths and Tidbits

A selection of random thoughts: 

• No matter how much vinegar you use, there are still 24 hours in a day.
• Time does not slow down because you choose to be green.
• Waiting until you're 40 to stop using tanning beds will not prevent damage to your skin that's already been done. You will still look 75 when you are 55. 
• Smoking does not make you look cool (no kidding).
• You can never hug your kids too much.
• Everyone needs to hear the words, "I love you," from time to time.
• Spending a day "unplugged" will not do permanent damage to anyone in your family.
• Ten-year-olds do not need cellphones.
• Parents of children (not adult children) are to be parents and not best friends.
• Preteens should not wear high heels. It's physically bad for them.
• Giving breast implants as a high school graduation present is just plain moronic.
• Allowing your teen to dress like a hooker will produce predictable results ... don't whine about it when it happens.
• Cutting down trees to build more shopping centers while other shopping centers have empty buildings is simply ridiculous.
•  People who need time alone need time alone. Period. 

 So, these are Thursday's Truths and Tidbits. How about adding some of your own. I'd love to read them!