Just a quick update in response to the recent news about current lifestyles increasing the risk of cancer.

The Guardian have posted a very positive article regarding this, which I think provides an interesting counterpoint:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2145721,00.html

Sorry, still can't seem to get the linking doodad to work.

I'm well and attempting to dodge the late-summer sun. Outdoor meetings and picnics require an explanation as to why I'm lurking in the shadows, but thankfully more people are aware of skin cancer now and attitudes are starting to change...

Keep well

Hi there,

Having trouble with linking items but an interesting article here:

https://www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/health_and_wellbeing/reports/cosmetics_and_beauty/Malignant_melanoma_warning_news_article_557_112071.jsp

Highlighting Brits' attitude to sun burn and skin cancer.

Seems the SunSmart message is just not getting through to people.

Summer weather is here and already I've seen plenty of red faces from sitting in the midday sun.

Mad dogs and English men...

It's been a while, so time for a quick update I think...!

I've got a check-up with my dermatologist next Tuesday morning - hopefully another milestone passed on the rocky melanoma road. I don't feel anxious at the moment; that'll probably come on the morning of the appointment.

I moved into my new home last week so that's keeping my mind busy, which is a blessing.

Just checked in to MPIP to see how everyone's doing and read the incredibly sad news that fellow Melanoma Planet contributer Heather has not bounced back after her turn for the worse. My thoughts are with her husband and family now; what heartbreaking news.

Spring seems to be a long time coming still, it's still so cold out at the moment. But I'm in no rush for summer to get here. I think my days of going on beach holidays are over. I'm really nervous about hot weather, but hopefully it'll get easier over time.

Good health to everyone, and I hope evreyone is going to be SunSmart this year.

An interesting section on the Beeb about "The Science of Sunshine" here:

Sunshine

Contains a table that outlines the pro's and cons of sun exposure.

I've been having dreams where I look around and realise suddenly that I'm sitting on a beach and the sun is beating down on me. I feel an overwhelming sense of panic and then wake up immediately, heart pounding. I'm sure this anxiety will pass, but this summer will be a big test...

A quick note to recommend this interesting article from The Times online, written by Robert Sandall:

Lost in the Cancer Maze

It discusses the relationship between nutrition and cancer. A very even-handed article by a writer and cancer patient who gives equal voice to all sides.

After recently falling off my nutritional high horse, I can report that I feel pretty rubbish. I blame Christmas, and a lack of will power. My completely unscientific conclusion is that I better hurry on back to the daily eating plan. I've gone from feeling envigorated to deflated, and a cold sore on the corner of my mouth clinches the deal.

Goodbye cheese and crackers, hello houmous and carrots.

Keep well, Hx

Happy New Year to everyone first of all - here's to making 2007 a healthy and happy one!

I've just read Lee's update on Ken Macintosh's bill calling for a ban on unsupervised tanning booths and on children using sunbeds in the UK. I never realised they were actually allowed to - I naively assumed that there was an age limit on using sunbeds?

As one of my New Year resolutions I'm going to make it my mission to help to raise awareness of Melanoma. I go to a gym in central London (actually across the road from the Houses of Parliament - nice position eh!), and I'm going to be dropping one of Cancer Research's simple and informative leaflets into the sunbed room for users to read:

Cancer Awareness Leaflets

I'm getting my stuff together for a few days at home with the family for Christmas and I'm so relieved to be going home with a good prognosis from the doctors.

I had my CT last Friday, which I found a little unpleasant, but the good news is that the Dr told me she couldn't see any nasties on my xrays. I also had a call from my mum to say that her appointment at the hospital had gone well and the lump she'd had on her throat was just that: a lump. Or a cyst to be exact - i.e. nothing to be too concerned about. What a huge relief.

It seems like a bit of respite from the last few months' stress. Although auntie Eileen is going in for chemo and radio therapy in the new year for her bowel cancer. I hope it goes as well as possible for her...

I'm really going to miss Dan (and Tilly!) over the next few days, but thankfully I'll be pretty busy, so there won't be too much time for it to drag. Plus it'll be great to see the family again. Diarmaid loves Christmas and it's always such a pleasure to see him with his presents.

I keep checking back on MPIP (the melanoma patients info page) and seeing the usual mix of good and bad news. It's so heartbreaking to see people being taken before their time as a result of skin cancer. It seems so unjust for a parent to have to post about their childs' death - I sincerely hope for a day when we're rid of melanoma.

Merry Christmas to everyone - here's to a peaceful and healthy new year...

x

A quick melanoma status update before I rustle up some dinner... I've been trying to get some time to write for days now but haven't managed to get online.

I had my wide exision stitches out last Thursday and apparently I'm healing well. The incision was quite conservative so it looks pretty good. The doctor warned me to keep an eye out for keloids (?) - the Greek for "crab" he helpfully explained. Apparently unsightly scar tissue was likened by them to a crab's claw. What a bizarre image. My doctor is a little eccentric but really great. Anyway, I see the scar as a battle mark that I'm quite proud of, so as long as I don't end up with something that resembles a crustacean's mitt, I'll be happy.

Next stage is the results of blood tests, and I also have a CT booked for two weeks' time. Apparently its nil by mouth on the day and I'll need to take a pill to "dye" the parts they're scanning. I was also told by the lady on the phone, who seemed to be dividing her time between me and an unruly child in the background, that I'd be given an injection that would make me feel like I needed to "pee". Brilliant. As long as it's just a feeling eh...

On the nutrition front, I'm feeling great after a few really rubbish days of missing wheat-based food tremendously. I have to admit that the chocolate so far hasn't been obliterated from my diet, but it's the next thing to go... I've already denied myself chips, pizza, take away curry, and countless other goodies. Choccie is the last bastion. It'll be a sad day if i have to say goodbye to something that's given me so much pleasure over the years. Maybe just a chunk a day will be OK...

More soon... good to read other contributors' entries - hope everyone's doing ok x

I had an appointment with a nutritionist last night. Not something I'd ever thought I'd hear myself say! While I agree that eating healthily is important, I've always been a bit cynical about the somewhat 'sexed-up' claims of some healthy eating plans.

Headlines that scream "this diet cured my cancer" really get my back up because, although I'm happy for the person who benefitted from the plan, I wonder how many people tried it and didn't get the results they'd hoped for...

I feel a palpable shift in attitude these days towards self-medicating, and the mindset that we are somehow cabable of warding off life-threatening illnesses, if we'd only eat the right stuff.

With respect, b*££*($! There are so many factors that conspire to bring on conditions, diseases and illness. It's not realistic to think that we can be well from diet alone...

That said, I put my reservations aside because, as I say, I do think what we eat is obviously important. It's a no-brainer. So... the consultation went well. I was given a day-to-day plan of things I can and can't eat (no chocolate, no wheat - what the...?!) and bundled off with an armful of supplements to give my flagging system the boost it needs.

I'm following a low GI plan, with extra-strength liquid vits thrown in to soup up my energy levels. A blood test indicated that this was best for my type, also taking into account other minor ails such as PCOS, IBS and high cholesterol - all of which are a nuisance but within my power to manage, apparently.

So if nothing else, this plan should mop up the more niggly worries, leaving me better able to deal with the ongoing malignant melanoma schtuff.

I'll keep monitoring how I feel over the next few weeks and see if, while living the nutritional dream, I actually notice any change. It would be good to feel better because I feel a bit pants at the moment. I saw an old aquaintence on the bus tonight and she looked fabulous. i know it's a trivial thing, but I felt so self-conscious about how scruffy and haggared I looked, I avoided her. Duh!

Bring on the radiant, carrot-munching new me!

Just a quick update today – finally back online after nearly a week without access. Amazing how dependent you become, eh!

I had the wide exision last Wednesday – the boyfriend was away working in sunny California (armed with liberal quantities of sun block) – so my friend Marnie took up the reins of chief nerve-calmer.

The procedure went fine although, as ever, I went as shaky as a leaf at the sight of the equipment trolley rolling towards me. A lovely nurse chatted to me throughout the op to stop me leaping up and running out the room, half-stitched.

Predictably the first few days have been uncomfortable – not sleeping on my back is a pain in the *&£%£! But I’m back at work this week and I’ll be getting the stitches out in a couple of weeks.

Next step is the visual check of my entire body for more nasties, blood tests and CT – feels like one last hurdle to go now…

Yesterday, a big envelope arrived containing a whole load of info about the flat my boyfriend and I had put an offer in on. It’d all been swept under the carpet a bit since the melanoma diagnosis. A contract has come through and it looks like it might just go ahead!

It would be wonderful to move in to a new home at the start of 2007.

Bring on the New Year, and some good news for anyone effected by Mel.