Living

“You were snoring.” I'll never forget hearing those words from my doctor. He chuckled as he said them. Did I mention this conversation took place mid-surgery, when I was supposed...

Ugh, you know the drill. Put on sunscreen, reapply. Where’s my hat? We’re riding in a convertible? They chose Miami Beach for the convention? Every day, every month, you’re vigilant...

There’s certainly no lacking of Top 10 lists. Top 10 Classic Rock Songs of All Time. Top 10 Bizarre Phobias People Suffer From. Midway through that particular list (from Listverse.com)...

Numbers have never really been my thing. My least favorite classes in high school and college were classes relating to numbers. Math? I’d rather not. Accounting? Please just let me...

My children are both now in college. They have known about my skin cancer their entire lives. They have seen my scars. They know the regimen that I must follow...

Efudex, or fluorouracil, has been an important part of my life for the last four years. Efudex, also known as Efudix, is one of several topical medications used by skin...

3 rings. That's all it took before I answered the contact-less, but familiar, number on my phone. The woman on the other side seemed calm and unfazed as she broke...

I made what could have been the simplest but most important decision of my life in 2007. A quick phone call, a few brief words, and I decided I was...

I had my first battle with skin cancer over twenty years ago. I’ve had more than a few since then; during my last major surgery, I had 23 areas removed...

Being a survivor is hard work. You expect this overwhelming relief when the surgeons finally get it all. You anticipate that day to welcome the new found hope and ability...

Survivor. What a beautiful, powerful, strong word. The word ‘survivor’ to me has always made me think of someone who has overcome a serious illness. I participated in a Race...

I think I'll go for a walk outside now the summer sun's callin my name (I hear ya now) I just can't stay inside all day I gotta get out...

Front Range Dermatology Associates provided me a list of instructions for applying Efudex and hints for aftercare. In addition, their information sheet briefly mentions a few common symptoms. I am...

I recently had a small area of basal cell carcinoma removed. It was the first cancerous area that I’ve had in almost two years. While I was not thrilled I...

I was guilty of it myself--saying it was “just skin cancer.” Cancer was lung cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. It was pancreatic cancer and leukemia. Skin cancer was a...

I had my first surgical procedure in 1988, which left a large, unclosed wound on my forearm. Since that time, I had another biopsy ON THE SCAR and numerous other...

If I've learned anything, it's that timing truly is everything. My roommate sophomore year of college was in charge of our campus Relay for Life, so to show support, my...

Nearly 30 years ago I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. That was a very difficult time. I had a large portion of skin on my arm cut out of me...

Let’s talk a bit about skin cancer and tanning beds. They’re awesome, right? You can get a tan so much faster in a tanning bed than you can by lying...

In 2007, I was diagnosed with melanoma upon removal of a suspicious spot on my left upper arm. The following years saw three Mohs surgeries for basal cell carcinomas and...