Trust Me On The Sunscreen

Modern legend has it that Kurt Vonnegut delivered a commencement speech that began and ended with a reminder to wear sunscreen.

"Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now."

While not Vonnegut's, these words become powerful when you learn the treatment options for skin cancer. A friend who's beginning topical chemo for the second time in his adult life joked that at least he'd come out of it with "a new face." He says that because at least seven layers of skin will be removed by the chemical that will be applied to his face.

"Don't make me laugh" he warned because making facial expressions are extremely painful.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and many cases are linked to exposure and sun burns when we were children. To prevent cancer apply sunscreen at least every two hours. This is true for those with or without a tan. A tan is no
protection from skin cancer.

Also, be sure you sunscreen is fresh. Sunscreen loses its potency after a year. With a bit of planning and protection, you can enjoy summer for years to come.

Second Time Around

I received a call from a friend. "Carol I need another copy of the book. My friend is facing her second bout with Breast Cancer." Then I received a link to the blog "Life's Funny Like That." The top story is about Mary, who's facing Breast Cancer for the second time. Whoa! That will give a survivor pause.

So let's pause for a moment ladies. Step away from the computer - the vacuum or whatever task you're engaged in and take a moment to celebrate your life.

The Shortest Distance Between Two Points

So often we shake our heads or our fists, wondering what’s wrong with God. We’ve asked him for help - to take away some pain or to help us achieve a goal - and yet the opposite has happened.

“Lord,” I prayed “please let this lump be benign.” Then I was told “You have Stage 3 Breast Cancer.”

Wait a minute here, I asked God for help. I had been clear and it was a straight line between me and health. This shouldn't be hard for him. After all, God had cured a lot of people and brought some back from the dead. Even the Cancer Centers of America can’t do that! So what had happened? Was his Prayer Mail Box full? Why didn’t he answer my prayer?

Now as I look back from the perspective of several years, I see the flaws in my thinking . First, prayers were answered. Taking the journey through cancer, I received gifts along the way. I learned new coping skills, deepened some relationships, began new friendships, and had the opportunity to help people.

Second, and maybe most importantly, there was a flaw with my geometry. I believed that I was the first point along the route - that I was at the center of the universe. Now when I pray, I remind myself of three things:

• The shortest distance between two points is a straight line
• There are gifts and answered prayers along that line
• The point in the middle isn’t me

Digging for a Cure

It's officially Spring. For those of you in the Midwest and Northern climates, you know this is a time of miracles. Trees are beginning to bud and bloom, bulbs are emerging and everything smells better.

For those of us who are Cancer Survivors, this time of miracles is all the more poignant. I've talked with many women who tell me that post-Cancer, gardening has become almost an obsession. Everything is better when we're on our knees, face to face with some good black dirt, and welcoming a fragile plant into the world. Why do you think that is?

The Gettysburg Address of Love

When you first hear the news that a friend has been diagnosed with cancer, you’re likely to think of a variety of ways you intend to step up and help. Perhaps you’ll bring food, send funny cards or offer to clean her house. Before you have the opportunity to do any of these things, you actually have to say something. This is where the problems begin.

So many of us claim we don’t know what to say when we’re told someone’s facing a challenge. As a result, we put off having that conversation until so much time has passed that now we’re MIA.

For most of you, my counsel is “Don’t worry about what you say - just say something.” Your friend just wants to know you care. Sometimes, three words said with real sincerity can become the Gettysburg Address of Love.

For the rest of you, may I suggest that you keep away from anything that suggests:

1) It’s no big deal
2) It’s somehow the fault of the person facing the challenge, or
3) It’s a punishment from God

It’s also a good idea to refrain from sharing hospital horror stories.

Once you get your mouth under control, you can let your heart take over.

What’s the nicest thing anyone every said to you when you were down?

You Don't Know What You Can Do

Breast Cancer has taught me to try new things and Never say Never.

As a child I was art-challenged. Coloring in the lines and manipulating those little scissors just wasn't going to happen. In middle school I thought I could manage some paper-mache. I set out to create a cute little mouse for art class. What resulted was an out of balance, 4 foot glob of wet, gray newsprint with whiskers. I thought "I am no artist. I will never try this again."

However, as an adult, a friend gave me a coloring book and some pencils. I found it relaxing to blend the colors and, yes, I often managed to stay in the lines. During chemo I often reached for those colored pencils to create a bit of beauty. I found myself thinking of new ways to incorporate art and color in my recovery. With a coat of paint and some embellishments, small pieces of cast-off furniture became islands of color. They made me smile.

I don't know what possessed me, but when I heard that The Reading Group was raising funds by selling chairs painted by local artists, I called them and volunteered.

Me! An Artist? Never say never ladies. If we can make it through Breast Cancer, we can get past the old programming that's holding us back. You don't know what you can do until you try.

Book Signings

Hi friends:

I am scheduling several more book signings. If you have a cancer-related fundraiser, let me know.

Friday, July 25 - - Relay for Life of North Naperville/Lisle. 20% of all proceeds will be donated to the Relay for Life of North Naperville/Lisle.

August 9 - - Lombard

October 3 - - Gallery 510 in Decatur

Past Events

Sunday, June 22 - - Wind Water & Light Gallery, Downtown Champaign from 1-3 p.m.