Confession--Ladyfisher

Thank you for sharing your problem -- telling others about skin cancer will help many in the future. I just had three spots removed, tip of my nose, forhead and on top(not much hair)
I spent many of my early years at the ocean with a few sun burns and my skin docter said that those burns are now showing in my older years. Fly fishing without a hat didn't help either.
Whenever you have a spot that doesn't heal,scab falls off another forms and that falls off, or bleading see a skin doctor. Some will be pre-cancer easily removed.


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Bill

Hey there LF;
Needless to say, I'm glad you seem to be on the mend and your tribulations are at least almost over. Your candid presentation will surely (sorry) help someone that may need attention to act.
AND with that little "tuck" you're gonna look like that "chickey" at the cake cutting ceremony about 32 years ago http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif .

Mark

Hi Deanna!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I too have had some "spots" removed from my face which turned out to be pre-cancerous. I have a follow-up visit with my Dermatoligist this wednesday. Unfortunatley, the damage to our skin usually occures many years before it materializes due to exposure to the sun. I am now a firm believer in the use of sunscreen. As a construction worker for the past 35 years and a fisherman and outdoor enthusiast, I have exposed myself the the damage caused by the Sun's rays. I am now in the market for a cool looking, wide brimmed hat. For the parents out there, start your children on the use of sunscreen and reduce their exposure to the sun as much as possible. Thanks again for sharing and best wishes.
Bob

Hi Deanna, Thanks for sharing this. I had a spot removed from my nose also. Your original article on this made me go to the doctor. Mine was just a basil cell and not cancerous. Hope yuo are feeling better.



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Bill

Hi JC!
Thanks for the link to the "Tilley". That looks just like what I am looking for. Do you know if they are on the market yet?
Bob

Bob,
Last time we werre in Cabela's, I noticed they still had them. Don't know if there's a store near you, but they can be ordered on line and from their catalog.
Betty

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Trouts don't live in ugly places

I am a survivor of skin cancer....

I have had 5 moles removed, over the past 8 years, 3 of the moles were determined to be basel cell cancer.

Twice a year, I make an appointment with my Doctor to be screened for skin cancer. He takes photos of any of the moles that I have on my body, and places them in my medical file, for reference.

Then he is able to see if any of the moles show signs of change.

I also have had some white spots on my ear lobes, that were precancerous basil cell, with some radiation treatments, the condition has be reversed. But is also continue to be monitored by the Doctor.

That is why I bought a Stetson Hat, when at the Texas Regional Fish-In. Baseball Caps do not do the job of protection. Sunscreen and proper head-cover is a must for those who go fly fishing.

Cancer is not the big scary word it was, when I was growing up. Now there are treatments and cures.

~Parnelli

"Only Mad Dogs and Englishman, go out in the noon day sun..." ~Noel Coward



[This message has been edited by Steven H. McGarthwaite (edited 29 August 2005).]

You have been through a lot LF! What an ordeal. Happy to hear that your pain has been lifted. Heal fast and get back to work!!! http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif

Rich

Lady Fisher;
God Bless!
At no time did I or any of us know what you were enduring!
You have opened my eyes to some problems to address with my Doctor at my next visit in 2 weeks. Thank you, we some times just sort of take things for granted and I was one that Poo, Pooed sunscreen during my tours in S.E. Asia and sailing the Great Lakes,
On a lighter side. If anyone should ever notice the very light scar. Just tell them it was a very big fish!!
Jack

Folks, we can and should all learn from this. First, do everything possible to shield your skin from overexposure and, God forbid, you end up with LF's very chagrining misfortune, learn from her, do it right the first time.

In my teen years I spent an inordinate amount of time in the sun as a lifeguard on beaches and at pools. We didn't have the sense to pound sand in a rat hole in those days so I was sun burned ever so many times, more that I could possible remember. What I do remember is to have my Doc check me over from head to toe for any early warning signs every 3 months when I go in for the Diabetic Update. I don't want my time in the sun in the old days to cause me any problem in my now "old days".

Take LF's warning to heart!!! Thanks Deanna, again you've proved yourself to be a great lady by helping us in this way.

Silvertop

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There's snow on the roof but the fire still burns in the oven.

Deanna, a good post and thank you. It sure makes one stop and think about things. Just so glad things did not turn out worse.
Regards,
Crackleback (Bob A)

Ladyfisher,
I read your article with interest after having lost a cousin a few seasons ago to Melanoma. Horrid disease to have to deal with.
Thank you for being so candid and generous as to share much personal info. I know many who would not. Vanity, I guess..but understandable.

I hope all will come around well for you. There are many lessons here, especially since we spend all of our time on the water.

My very best to you ....and your "roommate." *G*

Jeremy.

[This message has been edited by Jeremy (edited 30 August 2005).]

thanks Deanna - just the kick I needed
Year and a half back I had 2 atypical moles removed - clean bill on test results. Photos were taken of the ones the dermatologist was concerned about.
Well, no growth / changes .... phew...
thanks again

darrell,

Deanna,
I know you were hesitant to say anything about this. But far from a pity feeling for you, I have the deepest respect and admiration possible. By making yourself vulnerable to the masses, you have undoubtedly saved someones life today.
Betty

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Trouts don't live in ugly places

Deanna, So very glad to hear the last one helped so much. Once the swelling goes down you will be back to your beautiful self and the eye lid lift will take at least 10 years off... Believe me I do know all about ignoring signs and am very lucky to be in as good of health as I currently am considering how long I ignored the "signs"... Perhaps others will get check ups for other types of the desease too. They can do some wonderful things these days if we just get the jump on this stuff with some early detection. Thanks for sharing your experience...warmest regards,...Bob

Glad you shared your battle with all. My Great Grandma died of skin cancer. Since I have lived in Arizona, I know that skin cancer is even more of a serious problem.
Even with wearing a hat. There is now a 78 SPF sun screen out. We should do all we can to prevent this. Even despite the prevention
some of us are starting to show the signs of earlier abuse on our skin (since I have been an outdorsman & fly fisherman from early on !!! My wife is even more susseptable as a red head !!! My father-in-law was a BLM & rengeland officer for the state, & to this day still has cancer being cut off.
God bless Deanna, & tight lines !!!

Deanna,
I am glad you are getting better. Both you and Jim remain in my prayers. My father will be 74 in December. He has been a welder and sold welding equipment all of his life. From time to time he has small, benign tumors removed from his eyelids and nose. They are the result of years of arc welding. I also get small benign growths on the hands and fingers. We believe that they come from handling of uranium densified ammunition in the U.S. Army. Getting Uncle Sam to own up to that is another thing. Of course all those sun burns as a kid don't help either.

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Eric "nighthawk"

When asked how he felt during his first American space walk Astronaut Edward White responded "I feel red, white and blue all over".

This is the very first time I post a reply on FAOL and I find it only apropriate to post it on this subject about Ladyfisher's close call with the "Big C". When I was 30 yrs. old I had a small mole removed. It itched and had a slight redness surrounding it. Irregular borders too. Result, melanoma. Thank God (and I mean that) we caught it just in the beginning. No problem. Now I'm 46. I believe that we as outdoorsmen (and women) not only have to be aware ourselves, but also instill in our kids the importance of sunscreen, hats and eye protection (even though many teenagers are reluctant) so as that they don't have the same problem as us.
Kudos for Ladyfisher, a courageous lady

Eric Freeman,
Happy to hear you are doing well. Welcome to the board. I think you will like it here.

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Eric "nighthawk"

When asked how he felt during his first American space walk Astronaut Edward White responded "I feel red, white and blue all over".

Ladyfisher, thanks for sharing your story about the most important subject for the fly fisherman. I have had melanoma and basel cancer - not fun. I have shared your story with family and friends.

Thanks again for sharing, God bless you and may you have the best fishing season ever.

Armand J. Courchaine
Marlborough, MA

Thanks for the heads up LF. Was just told at church last week about the son of one of our members. Ended up with a melanoma on the nose and has had to have his entire nose removed surgically. They're now in the process of building him a new one. This stuff is nothing to fool around with. Am due a doctor's visit soon to have some scaly patches on the old noggin checked out. Have had a few removed the last two years.

Deanna,
You're in my prayers. Do Betty H. You have made me more aware. I've found a few lumps on my noggin and I have an appointment to see if they are bad or just where my wife has hit me upside the head a few times. LOL.

A lifetime friend came to visit from Florida...he had about 5 of those operations. He's 72 and plans on making it another 28 years. I know that you are going to do the same and I am too.

Bill

[This message has been edited by snipe (edited 01 September 2005).]