How can my cancer be different if I don't have cancer?

Two of my best bloggin’ buddies, “Red Carpet Chelsea” from Adventures with my Enemy…Melanoma, and “Classic Rockin’ Rich” of the Hotel Melanoma recently shared news of a new website called “Is My Cancer Different?”  To quote the site, it “educates people about the benefits of asking for more personalized cancer treatment.”  Their goal is to “empower patients, their families, and friends by informing them of the advanced testing options available to them by asking a simple question, “Is My Cancer Different?”

At first, I wasn’t sure if I should become involved with the site…after all, I don’t have cancer.  But as many of you know, I hate cancer!  My mother died of lung cancer in 2005 and my brother passed away from melanoma in 2010.  I had my own scare with prostate cancer, having to undergo two biopsies to finally get the “mostly” green light that all was well.  I was told not to be surprised if prostate cancer enters my life in my 50’s.  So far, almost a year into the decade, I’m still fine.  But I still hate cancer.

So how is my cancer different?  Mine is a cancer that I hope never comes, but I still feel it’s around the corner taunting me.  The prospect of prostate cancer and more biopsies (ouch) are never far from my thoughts.  The fact that melanoma is historically shared by siblings who grew up in the same environment has me checking for spots daily.  Having been a sun worshipping lifeguard just allows the prospect of the black beast of melanoma to loom even more.  At least I didn’t choose to smoke…but what of the lingering effects of two adults and one sibling that did take up the nasty habit and allowed a constant layer of smoke to linger all around me?

No, I don’t live a paranoid or terrified existence.  Instead, I choose to enjoy my life, and fight off any cancer fears.  I try to take care of my health so as to resist cancer’s touch.  I wear sun screen and I preach the importance of annual visits to the dermatologist.  I fight by attempting to elevate others’ awareness.  Eventually that awareness will become knowledge.  And that knowledge will become a powerful weapon. 

My cancer?  If it ever shows its face, it has one hell of a fight on its hands!

Is Blocking Sunburn Pain a Good Thing?

Yesterday, my colleague Elliot showed me an article in the local paper with the following headline:

“Cure for the sunburn blues?  It may be coming: scientists have uncovered the molecule that makes sunburn hurt.”

Something just didn’t seem right with this headline.  From a pain management point of view, this was great news.  My mother suffered from Lupus (one of the most obscure diseases) and she was in a lot of pain during the last years of her life.  Any advance in pain management is good news…but in this case, something didn’t quite feel right.

The article goes on to state that the TRPV4 molecule reacts to UVB rays and allows calcium and a protein associated with pain and itching to pass through the cell walls and cause the discomfort.  The scientists performed studies on mouse paws (who knew mouse paws were similar to our skin)…they took away the TRPV4 molecule and discovered the mice felt no pain from an imposed sunburn.  “They were a lot less sensitive and their skin tissue was significantly less damaged.”

Hmmm…that last statement barely snuck in, and disappeared almost as fast.  Let’s read it again. 

“…and their skin tissue was significantly less damaged.”

Okay, so this seems like a good thing…skin is less damaged.  But the article never goes on to explain what damage was actually less.  Was it less sunburn…did removing the TRPV4 molecule act as a pseudo sun block?  Was there still damage to the melanocytes?  Was there an increase or decrease in the potential for skin cancer?  It’s not clear.

What is clear is that the pain associated with sunburn can be reduced.  But is this really a good thing?  My first thought was echoed in the article by dermatologist Dr. Margaret Boyle.  She said that a sunburn is nature’s way of telling is to get out of the sun.  “Sunburn pain acts as a warning system.  We need that trigger to help keep us safe.”

I couldn’t agree more.  I still get the occasional burnt spot because I missed it when applying sunscreen and I suffer some pain because of it.  Yes, I’d like immediate relief.  But I’m not sure it’s smart to incorporate TRPV4 blockers into sunscreen so that sun exposure doesn’t come with a little pain. 

We already rely too much on sunscreen to protect us from the sun.  We should be savvier in wearing hats and protective clothing and in seeking shade during peak sun hours.  We should seek shade as much as possible.  We don’t need a sunscreen that removes nature’s way of letting us know we’ve been in the sun too much.

Let’s hope there’s more to this study than that.

I'm fine...thanks for asking!

First of all, thank you to those who have checked in on me.  My absence from the blogosphere and reduced presence on Facebook has inspired several folks to make sure I’m okay.

I am.  Thanks!  J 

I’ve been forced to take a little hiatus from blogging lately.  Nothing serious…just a perfect storm of family, personal and career events all taking place at the same time.  My twins started middle school in July (they go to year-round school) which starts a LOT earlier than the previous elementary school.  They have to be at the bus stop by 6:30, requiring that I get up around 5:00AM to get the familial ball rolling.  At work, my customers have become more active, so I’ve been working on more customer-related projects than normal.  Combine that with two colleagues resigning within the last few months and my responsibilities (and those of my remaining co-workers) having increased nearly two-fold, thus requiring many work days to extend well into the evening.  And then at home, there’s just the usual pay-the-bills, mow-the-lawn, feed-the-cats, fix-the-toilet activities that seem to hit a peak every few months.

What this leads to is a full day from 5:00AM to about 10:30PM where I’m running non-stop.  And when I finally get the chance to settle down to type some thoughts…I fall asleep.  Literally.  My wife has found me numerous times sound asleep while sitting straight up in my office chair.  I am simply exhausted.

I hope I don’t seem to be complaining…I’m not.  Sure, I’m wishing for a good rest and some good opportunities to write some thoughts (and I’ve had many)…but I’m not complaining.  You see, being a volunteer advocate for melanoma (and cancer in general) has made me realize that I’m very fortunate.  Not for simply not having cancer, but for having met so many that have.  So many have stated that it took “cancer” to open one’s eyes to how precious life can be…to not sweat the small stuff.  I’ve learned through your eyes that many of my exhaustive events are small stuff.  I am obligated focused on them…but except for the love of my family, it’s all small stuff.  While there’s no way I can truly see and feel the precious nature of life as seen through a cancer survivor without getting cancer (knock on wood), I feel you have given me a gift to peek just a little through your eyes.  Thank you.

So in that regard, I’ve chosen to recharge.  I’m sweeping the small stuff in a pile…reorganizing things a bit…and expecting to be back to blogging soon.  My next blog may be in a couple of days…a couple of weeks…or a couple of months…I’m not really sure.  But there are far too many thoughts and words I want to share to be away for too long.  Thoughts such as:

·        Sure Miley Cyrus was self-promoting, but the buzz about her nude pose for “Protect the Skin Your In” splattered the phrase “melanoma awareness” across the media for a good solid week.  Then again, I suppose there are limits to how much one should tolerate in the name of melanoma awareness (or any awareness).  Having someone bomb tanning salons would certainly catch attention, but the wrong kind of attention.  (That was an example…a BAD example…PLEASE don’t bomb anything…geesh).  So was Miley wrong?  I think she did a good thing…but I can see where others might have been put off.

·        I’m planning to read two books related to melanoma and cancer.  (Note, if I can’t stay awake to type, I have no chance against reading!  Finishing these books may take awhile!)  The first is “Hope Throughout Cancer” which was written last year as a compilation from many writers (including yours truly and Rich from the Hotel Melanoma) about their relationship with cancer.  So far, it’s been a very inspiring and heart-tugging read.  The other is a Kindle download called “Tanning and Melanoma” written by Mary Barrow of the SunAWARE International Foundation.  I hope to share my thoughts on both at some point…and invite you to read both and share your thoughts as well.

·        The tanning bill in North Carolina has been gathering dust in a Senate committee for months after House approval, and now the legislative session is over until the fall.  I suspect the bill has had its day in its current form and will rise again next spring with strong modifications.  I’m sure there were many lessons learned this past session…and several advocates and adversaries discovered.  I’m confident that a bill will go further next year and hope that the many laws that have arisen across the country this past year will provide additional influence to North Carolina’s…um…unique legislators.  (Oops…sorry…I really try to remain politically neutral…really)

·        After a successful wine-tasting fundraiser for MRF in memory of Amanda Wall and Corey Hadden, the 3^rd Annual 5K Walk for the same group is only a couple months away!  My recent schedule has already forced me to miss a preparation meeting, but I’m pretty sure this year’s walk will be bigger and better than ever!  I believe it’s the biggest melanoma fundraising event in the Raleigh North Carolina area.  (By the way, before the walk is a fund-raising night at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Check the Amanda-Corey.com website for more info).

·        Just down the road eastward is the little town of Charlotte ( J ) which will be hosting an even bigger event in the AIM for a Cure 5K.  My fingers are crossed that I’ll be able to attend again this year to reunite with friends met a year ago and to meet new friends and faces.  Last year’s event was magical and I can only imagine the same this coming November.

So that’s a snippet of my thoughts and I hope to find time to share more sooner than later.  I’ll still be poking my nose into Facebook almost daily, so you can find me there.  Even so, just know that my thoughts and prayers are with everyone fighting the fight…and with those family members from whom melanoma took away loved ones.

Thanks again for checking in.  I’m fine…and you guys make me better.

PS…yes, I dosed off once while typing this.  You can thank my cat for waking me up. 

Good Wine...Good Cause...Great Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who attended the Wine Tasting and Concert to benefit MRF while honoring the memory of Amanda Wall and Corey Hadden.  And some apologies as well for posting photo after photo of the event…I hope I didn’t overwhelm your Facebook on Saturday night.  J  There were so many highlights to the evening that I’m not sure I can cover them all here.  The photos at the end will address most of them (yep, these are some of what I posted on Facebook!). 

The turn-out was phenomenal.  We hoped for 300 or so people and I suspect we reached that goal.  I don’t have the money figures, but I know we sold about $500+ worth of raffle tickets and another $500 or so 50/50 raffle tickets (where winner gets half the pot and MRF gets the other half).  Add in some of the proceeds from food sales and wine-tasting tickets and I’d say we made a decent chunk of money.  So again, thank you!

I want to personally thank those BITNP readers and supporters that answered my call for contributions.  A HUGE shout-out goes out to Heather Olson of Coolibar, Anthony Guerra of Brelli, and Susan Aceti of 31 Bags.  If I do say so myself, your items were the hit of the raffle!   

 

31 Bag and Brelli share a chair at the raffle!

Coolibar Gift Basket!

 

I had a handful of highlights of a more personal nature.  First of all, I always love meeting new people who have read my blog or Facebook page.  Most readers have been touched somehow by melanoma and this was true of both Celene and Summer with whom I had the privilege of meeting in person!  Each lovely lady shared their individual stories with me…each quite different but equally heartfelt, touching and inspiring.  Living so close to me, I hope I can cross paths with each again soon!

Celene and her husband Kevin

 

Summer with yours truly

The second personal highlight was meeting local morning news anchor Kelcey Carlson.  My family wakes up to her broadcast on WRAL every morning and I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed her presence.  To my great joy, she was as engaging and nice in person as she is on TV.  Her family had been touched by melanoma in the past and she was kind enough to stop by to be interviewed for a video to promote the 2014 Amanda Wall – Corey Hadden Memorial Walk.  I was a bit star struck…but also very happy to meet her and hear her story.  Thank you Kelcey!

Source: WRAL.com

Thirdly, not only was Kelcey interviewed, so was I!  I’ve stated here before that I’m not much of a speaker, but Don Jones (Amanda’s Dad) asked me to appear in the video and I couldn’t say no.  I was mic’ed up and then asked a few questions about melanoma awareness, my “relationship” with the disease, and a little bit about BITNP.  The interviewer did a great job and I hope I was able to contribute in a positive way.

Ready for my close up!

The evening went a long way toward raising funds and melanoma awareness, but we have a long way to go.  There were several women in attendance wearing bare-shouldered tops that revealed very distinct tan lines.  Also, there was one line in a performed song that stated, “My tan is fading, I need a beach!” (A Jimmy Buffett song I think).  No fault of the performer at all (he was great!)…just a reminder of how far we have to go to truly raise awareness….REAL awareness!

Now…on with the photos!

Big Mike's BBQ supplied the food!  (The Redneck Nachos were to die for...Fritos, Pulled Pork, Baked Beans, Blue Cheese Slaw and BBQ Sauce..yum!)

 

The Niche Wine Lounge hosted the event...thank you Niche!

Evening entertainment by Bud Moffett and the Reef-ettes!

Early evening band was Long Time Gone!

Serving cool brews in the shade!

We're talking a REAL wine tasting!

Top 5 Reasons to Attend the Amanda Wall Corey Hadden Event on July 20

The Top 5 Reasons to Attend the Concert and Wine-Tasting for the Amanda Wall - Corey Hadden Memorial on July 20:

 

5. Prizes!

We'll be holding a raffle for various prizes throughout the night!  There will also be a 50/50 Raffle where you take home half the money contributed and the other half goes to the fundraiser.  The more you enter, the bigger the pot gets!

 

4. Food!

Big Mike's BBQ will be available with their delicious food.  (I enjoyed their BBQ during the recent Apex Pig Feast and was quite impressed).  A percentage of proceeds will go to the evening's fundraising (Thanks Mike!)

 

3. Two Concerts!

“Long Time Gone” will kick off the music at 5:00 and Bud Moffett will start at 8:30.  If you like CSNY and Jimmy Buffett, you're in for a treat!

 

2. Aldo and the Niche Wine Lounge!

The Niche Wine Lounge is a unique and relaxing environment to gather with friends and enjoy a fine wine or brew.  (Although I think the atmosphere will be more "party" than "relaxing" for much of this night).  They've just completed an incredible renovation!  Aldo is the Niche Wine Lounge's resident wine connoisseur.  And ladies, he's easy on the eyes.  (Heck, even I think so!) 

 

1. Raising money for the Melanoma Research Foundation and the Amanda Wall Corey Hadden Memorial.

The Amanda-Corey folks are great and they've been doing great things to raise money for the MRF.  Your contributions through raffle purchases, wine tastings, BBQ consumption, and any spontaneous donations will do so much to help with melanoma research!

 

No matter the reason, it’s going to be a great time!  I’ll see you there!

3,000 and Growing

Life has been pretty hectic lately, so I was extremely surprised to read what the Rev. Carol Taylor (of the Melanoma Prayer Center) posted on my Facebook page:

“Congratulations for breaking 3000!  Keep up the great work.  I'm sure Jeff is beaming with pride.  Blessings, Al!”

As my son would say, “Wait…whut?” 

Wow!  3,000 “Likes!”  Honestly, when I first started, I never thought I’d reach 100.

Back in August of 2012, less than a year ago, I reached the 1,500 mark.  How I doubled my “Like count” in such a short time baffles me.  To all readers…thank you!

As I’ve mentioned before, I keep a list of folks that “Like” my page.  Not for stalking purposes mind you, but just to get a feel to where my words are spreading (and to satisfy my little touch of OCD).  I’m happy to say that all 50 states have visited my page with North Carolinians visiting more than others.  Texas, Ohio, California, and Florida round out the Top 5.

My international presence has spread to 44 countries or territories now.  Citizens of Australia have visited my BITNP page more than others while Canada, England, and Italy have followed close behind. 

While the numbers are impressive, they are also somewhat discouraging.  Chances are that nearly all readers have been touched by melanoma in some way and were led to my page (and others) as they searched for answers.  On one hand, I’m so glad they’ve liked my page and hopefully have reached out to other readers for those answers.  On the other hand, I wish there was no need for answers…I wish that melanoma touched no one.

I’ve noticed periodic spikes in increased readership over the years.  Not long ago, there were about 15 straight new “Likes” from Indiana.  Again, thrilled to have new readers but saddened for the reason.  I knew that someone these people loved was most likely directly touched by melanoma.  What’s inspiring about such a spike however is that this person seems to have a strong group of supporters and loved ones.  The person affected is obviously surrounded by great people.

Despite the fact that most readers are already aware of melanoma, I’d like to think that each new “Like” means someone learned something new from a link or thought shared on my page.  I’d prefer not to concentrate on the number of readers, but the number of increased awareness.  For that reason, I’ll continue to spend late nights searching Google and Bing for news and stories related to the fight against melanoma.

While the 3,000+ people who have “Liked” my page have all been touched by melanoma, let’s take a moment to consider how melanoma could statistically affect 3,000 average people.  Current stats show that 1 out of 5 folks will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.  That means out of a random 3,000 people, 600 will eventually have skin cancer!  For melanoma, the statistical odds are 1 in 50.  That means 60 people will be diagnosed with melanoma!  That’s 60 too many!

When I first started my Facebook page, I launched it as a promotional page for my blog.  I had no real plans to use it as the primary tool to spread the word about melanoma awareness.  As it turned out, the page became far more effective as I have been able to link stories and articles almost daily.  It has also been the main conduit to meet and associate myself with some really incredible people.  I doubt I would ever have formed such a strong bond with Carol, Rich, Chelsea, Timna, Katie, and so many others through my blog alone and without my Facebook page. 

Thank you again for “Liking” my Facebook page, and for reading this blog.  I do this in memory of my brother Jeff, in honor of my growing children, and in awe of the amazing people who have come into my life!

 

Al

UV Awareness Month...Protect Your Peepers!

Did you know that July is UV Awareness Month?  The American Academy of Ophthalmology has deemed July as the month we should spread awareness about UV safety, especially as it applies to eye safety.

Interestingly, the AAO states the usual sun protection facts that we all SHOULD know by now:

• Wear sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher (I recommend 30 or higher)
• Wear long sleeves and hats
• Avoid being in the sun during the peak hours of 10AM to 2PM.
• Wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days.
• Keep an eye on changes to your skin.
• Wear UV Protective sunglasses.

“Prevent Blindness America” (which actually declared May as UV Awareness Month) shared some additional tips and facts regarding sun safety for the eyes:

• Always wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.  Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes, but actually cause the pupils to dilate, thus allowing more harmful rays.  (In other words, merely shading the eyes could cause more damage if you don’t add the UV protection!)
• Wear a brimmed hat along with the proper sunglasses for additional protection.
• Choose wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eyes and skin around the eyes.  (Many people apply sunscreen very lightly near the eyes (it burns!), so sunglasses are equally important to protect the skin around the eyes as they are to protect the eyes.)
• Be aware that while some contact lenses may offer UV protection, they cannot protect the entire eye and the skin around it.
• Choose sunglasses made of unbreakable polycarbonate, especially for children and those that lead active lifestyles.
• Ask your doctor is any medication you’re taking may cause increased sensitivity to light.

According to the “Vision Council,” the following medical issues are associated with UV explosure:

• Skin Cancer
• Cataracts
• Macular Degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in the country!)
• Photokeratitis
• Pterygium

In short, your eyes are very sensitive organs that need to be protected from UV exposure as much as (or even more than) the skin.  In fact, this is one thing the tanning industry got right.  Even they provide those goofy eye protectors to wear during tanning sessions.  You KNOW it’s important if even those guys offer protection!

The next time you lather on the sunscreen, don’t forget your UV protective sunglasses.  Protect your peepers!