Love the Skin Your In!

 

When I was browsing through my Facebook newsfeed this morning I came across this picture and caption and knew I had to share on the blog.

When I asked the brilliant Jennifer Pastiloff Yoga, writer and yoga retreat leader, about loving the skin you're in, she had this to say: "I look at my pale skin with pride now, where once upon a time I slathered baby oil on and fried. To love the skin you live in is the greatest honor you can give it. Whether you are brown, purple, pale or pink, tell your skin that you love it. More importantly, treat it that way." *Taken from Respect the Rays Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Respect-the-Rays/243223335784833

Coolibar Blog Post

Back in May I was given the wonderful opportunity to write a blog post for the sun protection clothing company Coolibar. During May, which is melanoma awareness month Coolibar chooses melanoma survivors to share their story. Once again I gladly shared my story in hopes someone, young or old, would read it and get their skin checked. Here is the link to the blog: http://blog.coolibar.com/melanoma-survivor-sam/

Paleness does not equal beauty?!

Last night as I went to bed I was reflecting on my day at work at "Hooters on the Lake" as my family calls it (it is not really a Hooters or anything of the sort, just a beertending job). An older man told me, "you have such beautiful skin". I thanked him and went on with my job. A while later a different gentleman commented about how pale my legs were, mind you I was wearing jeans rolled up to capri length so he could not see much, and if I did wear shorts my legs have probably not seen the sun light. As I thought about these comments I am once again reminded that society does not equal beauty with paleness. One minute I am being told I have great skin (because I avoid the sun like the plaque :) ) but yet I have comments made about how pale I am. This is not the first time comments about my paleness have been made to me. I am more often questioned about my paleness or lack of a tan than told I have great skin. Society is so fixated on being tan that the reality of the dangers of the sun and tanning beds is ignored. My questions to you are how can we change society's view of what beauty is, how do you handle situations like this, or is the problem that we are not accpeting of our natural beauty?

Skin Cancer? What to look for

In honor of being cancer free for three years yesterday I think it is important to provide you with some resources on what to look for as red flags for skin cancer. One of the most IMPORTANT things you can do to catch skin cancer early is to KNOW your own body. Yes, the doctor can detect wierd looking moles, but you are the best candidate to see if they changed. If I wouldn't have had the gut feeling that my mole was wierd and pointed it out to my doctor who knows where I would be today. The ABCDE's are things you should be looking for in your moles when you perform monthly self skin checks.

A= Asymmetry- If you were to cut the mole in half each side should look the same.

 

B= Border- The border should be smooth all around. No jagged or uneven edges.


C= Color- The mole is one uniform color.

 

D= Diameter- The mole should be no larger than a pencil top eraser.

E= Evolving- If the mole changes in any way-shape, color, funny border, elevation, itching, bleeding, or crusting.

 

Skin Check:
Here is a step by step guide on how to perform a personal skin check. If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself ask your partner to help you.
What you'll need: a bright light, a full-length mirror, a hand mirror, 2 chairs or stools, a blow dryer, body maps and a pencil.

1	Examine your face, especially the nose, lips, mouth, and ears - front and back. Use one or both mirrors to get a clear view.
2	Thoroughly inspect your scalp, using a blow dryer and mirror to expose each section to view. Get a friend or family member to help, if you can.
3	Check your hands carefully: palms and backs, between the fingers and under the fingernails. Continue up the wrists to examine both front and back of your forearms.
4	Standing in front of the full-length mirror, begin at the elbows and scan all sides of your upper arms. Don't forget the underarms
5	Next focus on the neck, chest, and torso. Women should lift breasts to view the underside.
6	With your back to the full-length mirror, use the hand mirror to inspect the back of your neck, shoulders, upper back, and any part of the back of your upper arms you could not view in step 4.
7	Still using both mirrors, scan your lower back, buttocks, and backs of both legs.
8	Sit down; prop each leg in turn on the other stool or chair. Use the hand mirror to examine the genitals. Check front and sides of both legs, thigh to shin, ankles, tops of feet, between toes and under toenails. Examine soles of feet and heels.	*Guide and pictures are courtesy of The Skin Cancer Foundation

Happy 3 year Cancerversary to me!

I always wanted a tattoo and God just wnated to make sure there was a really good story to go along with it. I believe he sent me on this path with this tattoo to help educate others so they do not receive the same tattoo as me. This plaque was given to me by my sister this summer at a time when I really needed it. Love u B!

Happy 3 year Cancerversary to me! WOW! I can’t believe it has been three years since my diagnosis and surgery. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea what my life would be like, much less what my future would hold. I could barely see past the next day. Within these last three years my life has been a whirlwind, both good and bad. Before my diagnosis cancer had never hit close to home and once it did, it seemed like everyone I knew was being diagnosed. Almost to the day of my cancerversary last year my uncle was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and he was in the fight for his life. The first couple of months this year were some of the hardest for me because I watched my uncle fight his hardest, but ultimately lose his battle. During this time I came to gain an understanding of what it was like for my parents, sister, and boyfriend when I was diagnosed. I almost think it is harder to be the caregiver at times because you feel such a lack of control. At least that is what I felt.  

As I reflect on today I have so many emotions flowing inside me. Happiness that I am here cancer free, and I get to celebrate all God has given me, especially today because my sister and I are going to have a Pretty Little Liars Season 2 marathon and pig out on candy. Hope and Excitement for what the future holds. Peace because at this exact moment my life is as close to perfect as it has been in a really, really long time. Sadness and loss because my uncle is not here to share this day with me and we are not able to celebrate his day. Today serves as a reminder that Yes, my life did change drastically the day I was called into the doctor’s office and I never thought I would embark on the journey called cancer, but as my uncle would say “live life to the fullest”, which is exactly as I am trying to do! As I begin this next year I hope to enjoy life as much as possible, seize every opportunity thrown my way, notice and appreciate the little things in life, and let all the negative energy fly right out the window.

My Star

Today marks the five month anniversary of your passing. As each month passes I can't believe how long it has been. I know you are in a much happier place riding your bike freely in the wind. I often think am I living my life to fullest or how you would? I sure am trying. I miss you more than you ever know. I wish you could see my life now. I still do not understand why you were taken from us so early.  I miss you dearly my star.

Relay for Life~Manitowoc County 2012

On July 26th, 2012 Dennis, Mom, Brooke, Nick, and I participated in Relay for Life of Manitowoc County. It was an awesome experience to see all of the survivors, caregivers, friends, family, and loved ones come together to raise money to find a cure to beat this nasty beast. The event reminded me of how many people are affected by cancer and how many shouldn't be. We are joining together and cancer should be scared because as a wise man once told me "we are going to laugh in cancer's face because that is the one thing cancer fears". July 24th, two days before July 26th in 2009 I was diagnosed with melanoma. That day changed my life forever. I never imagined I would be walking the survivor lap or been given some of the amazing experiences I have been. I am so thankful my family and Nick were there to share this night with me.