The Big C

I have been noticing for the past month, a lesion on my face beside my nose under my left eye. It started out looking like a blackhead, which I don't normally have and over a two-week period had grown to the size of a large pea, with a crusty scab.

Sometimes it itches, sometimes it is tender. As it grows, it has become more tender, and more noticeable to others. 

My daughter saw it and said it looked like a skin cancer lesion and has insisted that I get it looked at.  So yesterday, I saw my Primary Care Physician. She peeled the scab off of it and palpated it, then said she was afraid to try to excise it, because of the size and location of it. She is recommending me to a dermatologist and promised to get the appointment set up. So far, I haven't heard back from her. If she doesn't call tomorrow, I will call her again.

My dad had skin cancer lesions on his face and arms. He worked as a farmer and rarely covered his skin while outside in the sun. Back then, it wasn't commonly known that this would cause cancer. 

I worked outside in the sun, too, as a child. My skin never tanned, it would freckle, burn, blister, peel, and start over. The only time I ever tanned was when my freckles became so many that they blended together.  

When we were first married, I would go to the lake with Dennis, and we didn't use skin protection. I got some very serious sunburns back then and the blisters would join together so I had some very large blisters on my shoulders and back. I learned that a tan was not for me, and started using sun block (spf50), and staying in the shade.

If I want a tan now, I use a self-tanning lotion or spray. Usually, I just accept that I will never tan and show my pale skin. Thanks for that gene, Daddy!