› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Melenoma driving me crazy!!!
- This topic has 1 reply, 1 voice, and was last updated 8 years, 2 months ago by
jennunicorn.
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- June 20, 2017 at 1:54 am
Hello all!
So I got the call in November that I had a .4mm malignant melenoma on my back. I had it removed with a. Wide excision in December. Since December I've had two atypical moles removed and one shaved.
My current treatment plan is to see my dr every 3 months and sun protection. That's it!
So my first question is.. is that it? Should I be doing more? This melenoma has caused me so much anxiety and stress over dying. I feel like I'm turning into a complete hypocondriac nut! I have three children under 10.. I can tell help it. I want to be here.
my next questions have to do with geography and sun protection . I live in Florida:( So obviously the sun is always around! Which means constant sun protection is needed, right? Are normal long sleeved pants and shirts enough or does my entire wardrobe need to be spf? And how long does spf clothing last and maintain its protection?
Are my chances of more melenoma higher if I remain in Florida? I stress everyday about the sun. Plus I'm worried about my kids future health.
what about sunscreen? What sunscreen should I be using?! What about the chemicals that are suppose to cause cancer?
well that was a lot! Sorry but not sorry.. I don't feel like drs give us enough information.. not enough info about the stupid disease and not enough info on how to live after.
appreciate any help you can give me:)
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- June 20, 2017 at 2:19 am
It is good you caught yours very early and most likely you'll never see melanoma ever again.
For sun protection: upf clothing does not lose it's sun protective quality. It is sun protective in how the fabric is woven, there isn't something in the fabric that would wash out or anything like that. This site which sells nice upf clothing explains how that works: http://www.coolibar.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=upf-ratings There are other sites and companies that also have good upf clothes. Columbia makes great lightweight shirts that I always wear when I go hiking.
Regular clothing works fine too, tighter weave fabrics will protect better. Don't spend a lot of time during peak ours in direct sun, and wear sun screen when you will be doing outdoor activities. The best and safest sun screens are listed here: http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
I live in California, another sunny state and I wear sun screen, upf sun protective clothing, and hats when I am hiking or know I'm going to be outside most of the day. Regular days I just wear regular clothes and sometimes wear sun screen if I know I'll be outside for more than 15 minutes. I always have a stick of suncreen in my purse in case I need it.
Don't change your whole life based on the anxiety of a small chance of getting melanoma again. Live your life with respect of the sun, get yourself and your kids in the routine of covering up when spending time in the sun. But most importantly, LIVE. By being anxious about this so often, you're letting melanoma win, and you've already kicked it to the curb!
All the best,
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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