Today is Full of Surprises, Three So Far, One Good, One Bad, One Just Plain Weird

Well, it's only 2:00 p.m., but I've already had three surprises. I wonder what else is in store. It's been an interesting week, so, we'll see.

Surprise #1: Enjoyed a pleasant trail run on my favorite wooded trail today, a trail I've run hundreds of times, so imagine my surprise when I turned around to see what appeared to be a fox. On closer examination, I determined that it was, in fact, plastic, tethered to a tree with a padlock, and wearing military style dog tags which dangled from its right ear.

Completely creeped out by this evil looking creature, I resumed my run.

Surprise #2: Got a phone call from my dermatologist's office. I had had a biopsy of a suspicious spot on my lip and another one at the base of my neck three weeks ago. I had gone in because I thought the spot at the base of my neck looked suspicious.

In fact, it fit several of the criteria for skin cancer, so, having already had one basal cell carcinoma and several other suspicious spots removed, I knew to have it checked.

Variations in pigment, larger than the head of a pencil eraser, incongruous shape, etc.

But, of course the doc did a thorough inspection, and as he looked at my face, he asked about the barely visible red spot on my lip. I had stopped worrying about that years ago after having it frozen a couple of times.

He said, "Mind if I biopsy that, too?"

When the doctor left the room, he said, "I'll see you in six months."

I said, "You mean if these come back normal?"

He said, "Oh, yes."

Well, the nurse explained today that the spot on my lip was a squamous cell carcinoma. I wasn't sure how bad this was, but I do know that 'melanoma' is the word you really don't want to hear. She said this was not too serious if it's caught early and would not require surgery if they take care of it now. It would simply involve scraping off the top layers of skin and would leave a scar about like a cigarette burn.

Hmm. This is my lip we're talking about, and I have to tell you, the biopsy left a scar that still looks like a cigarette burn. So, this sounds like it's going to be pretty ugly.

But, what can I do? I wish I could travel back in time to those carefree years when I swam for hours in the middle of the day, every day, and years later when I worked as a lifeguard, proud of the gorgeous bronze tan I earned with 8 hours a day on the pool deck.

Even when I was ten, I remember my mom telling me that I would get skin cancer if I didn't stop getting sunburned. When I think back over my lifetime, I think about how many times she was just so incredibly right. Why didn't I learn to listen sooner?

So, now I pay. I will have the spot removed; it will look ugly, but I will think about all the people who experience disfiguring burns and other such things and remember that I brought this on myself.

You may wonder why I am discussing this personal matter here, but I have spent a huge number of hours in the sun in my life. Yes, the most intense timeframe was when I was a teen, but I have, indeed, spent too many hours running in the sun as well. I'm careful to always wear sunscreen, but the damage I did years ago cannot be undone. If anyone reading this is more careful because they've read this, then it's worth telling, and as a running coach, if I can guide anyone to a healthier, safer running career, then  it's my responsibility to do that.

Surprise #3: I've been publishing articles on Ezine.com for several months, and most of them are about running, so you might want to check them out. I posted most of them here, first, but if you've missed any, you can see them all by Googling ezine and Debbie Voiles.

Anyway, the surprise is that I received a package in the mail from ezine.com today. A few days ago, when I submitted Article #10, I received an email saying they had promoted me from 'Basic Author' status to 'Expert Author' status. I didn't exactly jump up and down because I do have degrees in English and Journalism. I guess I should be able to write reasonably well, and I have published many pieces over the years, online and off. Still, it was a nice surprise when the package arrived. It was a mug to commemorate my Expert Author status. It's not exactly a Pulitzer, but it's much better than skin cancer.

Everything's relative, right.

I'm guessing that's the last surprise for today, but it's early still, so we'll see.

Comments

[Laura McClain]

Hi Debbie,
I've been meaning to read and comment on this post since June 4, whew, life gets in the way, don't it? Anyway, what a day you had! The fox bit is just plain weird, but I've seen weird things on my run too that have creeped me out. This last weekend, I was running under some huge powerlines (the gigantic kind with all the big framework and thick cables). Anyway, the buzzing and crackling coming from those things freaked me out. Hurrying to get out from under those, I glanced down and almost stepped on a big, dead raccoon. Shivers!

I'm sorry to hear about your lip. You are the third person I know this month with similar sun-stories and biopsies. Growing up in Southern California lathering baby oil on myself with my girlfriends to get our perfect tans will probably catch up with me too. I do the dermo once a year for a body scan.

And, congrats on the advancement to expert, not that we didn't already know that! I enjoy your writing, Debbie. Keep up the great work.
~Laura

[Debbie Voiles]

Thanks, Laura. The noise from the power lines would have worried me, too. Amazing how things like that can result in unplanned spontaneous speed work. Imagine if you'd stepped on that raccoon! Yikes!

I did learn some more about that creature. Turns out the park rangers put it there as part of a self-guided nature tour. Apparently there is also an artificial deer somewhere. Good idea, but that thing really didn't look anything like a real animal. Hope the deer is more realistic.

Had the skin cancer it removed, it's almost healed, and there will only be a slight scar. Good that you're getting regular derm checkups. I've read that these things are easily curable when caught early. Feeling lucky the doc found it when he did.

Take care.

[Melanie Higgins]

I've had several basal cell carcinomas removed from my face and am now extra cautious with sunscreen. Run before sun up most of the time, but still golf and that's alot of sun. Fortunately we can load up on screen and stay in the shade as much as possible. I warn all my young friends to check their skim often. Skin cancer is showing up earlier and earlier - the ozone layer has alot to do with it too. Thanks for the post - this is really important!

[Debbie Voiles]

Thanks for the input, Melanie. I think you're exactly right. I'm very pleased that I had it removed, and the scar is barely visible. That's just one more reason to catch them early when removal isn't invasive.