I’ve been on a crusade lately to get my husband P to take better care of himself. There was the strict diet early this year and recently I’ve been on his case to get various medical checkups to ensure that his hectic lifestyle isn’t taking too much of a toll on his health.
So he went to the dentist and the doctor – all good, except he needs to do more exercise and take a holiday some time. I can handle that – Fiji, maybe? Might have a bit more convincing to do there 🙂
Then just before Easter I dragged both of us off to the skin cancer clinic to get our skin examined for the first time.
Long story short, P had skin cancer.
Made for a nervous wait over the Easter break, but thankfully not melanoma – a squamous cell carcinoma. Funny thing is, nothing about the particular spot raised any suspicion with us, and without a check up, it may have gone years without being detected. By then it could have been far more serious.
They have now removed a significant chunk out of the side of his face and I’m feeling very thankful that my Dad encouraged me to go get my skin checked.
So everyone – particularly other Aussies – please get your skin checked. P is only 32 and I thought we had years before we needed to worry about this stuff.
500m2 in Sydney 
That’s good that you caught it early. Prayers being sent your way for P’s surgery.
Thanks Lilian 🙂
Scary stuff L. A very good friend of mine lost her father quite recently to melanoma, so I am very aware of the potential harm of the Australian sun. Having said that I thought I was a little young to have to worry just yet, perhaps I’m wrong.
I too nagged my husband to get various health checks done recently – he is a bit over weight (perhaps I should instigate your strict diet, but he has no will power and I’m sure will break it outside the house), has a family history of diabetes and lost his father last year to stomach cancer. I was hoping the doctor would scare him into looking after himself a bit more, but apparently he is in perfect health except for the weight thing. I know that’s good news, but it seems to have made him even more complacent than before.
Oh, so frustrating Barbara! I was a bit strategic (read sneaky) in this regard – I made an appointment with a GP that I knew had a particular interest in men’s health. I knew he’d give P a kick up the bum ;P
P asked me to book the holiday today, so he’s certainly taken the doctor seriously.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your father in law. Must have been terribly difficult for Mr Good.
Dad’s can be useful sometimes can’t they? Glad its not too serious, but as I get older I have to admit I find myself increasingly worrying about the smallest thing – sometimes it certainly pays to get these things checked out. This has been a good prompt for me to go for a skin checkup.
It’s “be alert, not alarmed” right? Like all things it’s a matter of balance, I guess. I’m certainly a ‘she’ll be right’ personality type, but getting it checked out is really simple.
L, sometimes words are inadequate, but I’m so very glad it was picked up early and that P is OK (and that your check was clear).
Thanks Sara 🙂 I’m very thankful too, and surprisingly at peace with it all. I’m not in control, but I know Him who is.
Thank goodness he’s ok. Great reminder – thank you.
Well done… well caught. It is really important for aussies. Funny thing is it doesn’t always go as you think it might. I am pale and freckly and the lad is olive skinned. Yet, it is HE who has moles that need cheking at the skin cancer clinic each year. I just get little harmless nasties burt off. So all this while I have been the one slapping on the sunscreen when he is in more danger!
Bottom line is we all need to be alret but not alarmed.
Good luck with your birth!