Kathy said around mid-morning on June 6, 2007
I am making my first ever visit to a dermatologist later today. I’m not sure why I never made an effort to go considering I am pretty fair skinned, blue eyed, look like a chocolate chip cookie and have a history of things like “squamous” in my family. I didn’t even know there was such a word. It’s fun to say though. try it. “Squaaaaamous”. See? Fun to say. But it’s not such a fun thing to have.
When I was younger I used to oil up in my bikini and cook for hours with my friends at Robert Moses beach. Swift. I’ve had sunburns that have left new freckles behind and I am sure I have sun damage. I like begin tan I’ll admit. Although laying out bores me to tears. In the last few years I have taken a much more active role in protecting my skin. I wear spf 30 or higher all the time, especially when I am in Florida even running to the grocery store. I wear spf on my face. I don’t lay out to fry. I even go so far as to wear a hat or sit under an umbrella at the beach. I’m hoping I can reverse some of the damage I did as a kid and prevent this premature aging thing everyone talks about. I am all about aging gracefully. I am not into plastic surgery and I can handle some wrinkles. But if I can slow it down a little, I’ll give it a try.
Anyway, aside from a once over skin cancer screening, I am also developing some rosacea. It started with some small redness on my cheeks and the last time Joelle was visiting, we went to the spa and during a facial the woman told me I have it. I had never thought to classify it as that. I just thought my skin was sensitive. It’s gotten a little worse on one side of my face and I am so not cool with that. I’m not sure what to expect today. Are they going to make me get naked? I have pre-dermatologist jitters. I also hope to not hear the word “squamous” mentioned.
Update: I am skin cancer-free! In case anyone wanted to know. Heh.
from San Diego, CA
Cocktail: Slighty dirty Grey Goose Martini
I just had to stop at “oil up in my bikini”. Oh, Google is going to have a field day.
from San Diego, CA
Cocktail: Slighty dirty Grey Goose Martini
I’m so glad you’re going to the dermatologist. You’ve reminded me that I need to go have that spot biopsied that I was supposed to do before I went to London. Good good. Here’s wishing you no squaaaaaaamousness.
Also? Not actinic keratosis either. That’s what I (am actually HOPING I) have, though it’s not positive until they biopsy it. Mmm mmm.
from your moms.
Brave of you to go! I really should go too, being that I’m also fair skinned and resemble a chocolate chip cookie, but I’m too much of a chicken. I hope your visit goes well!
from your moms.
I just don’t get people who still want a dark, dark tan. Like, it’s skin damage, people!
PS. Squamous. tee hee hee! You’re right, fun to say. Almost as fun as “nutsack”.
from Escanaba, MI
Cocktail: Fabulous-Tini
Glad to hear your skin-cancer free! Cheers! *clink*
from Cleveland, OH
Cocktail: White Russian
Yay for good health!!
from Nutsackville
Nutsack is a good word for it.
We also call it “Sweaty goat ball weather”
from Clive Owen's Bedroom
Cocktail: Mojito
I was born with a year-round tan, but don’t think for a minute that I wasn’t pouring on the sun amplifier back in the day.
I can play connect the dots with my freckles.
Congrats on the clean bill of health!
from your moms.
Yay for no skin cancer! Too bad there’s not a completely benign version of squamous, though. It’s a great thing to bring up when you’re trying to one-up someone with how shitty your day is going.
“Oh man, I am so dragged out from last night. How about you?”
“Pfft. Squamous, dude. Read em and weep.”