I knew it was going to happen someday.

[Riverbound]

Went to go see the dermatologist for a check up. This time the news wasn't so good. [emoji107] all those years of no sunscreen and frying myself to a crisp finally caught up to me. Looks like going forward I will be the guy wearing sunscreen and a big hat as well as a shirt whenever I can. The dr went to town on me cutting all kinds of stuff off. Went in for suture removal and to go over the results. He's gotta cut more out of my back because they didn't get it all out. [emoji107] definitely a real wake up call for me.

I have read tons of these threads over the years about wearing sunscreen and protecting yourself......now I'm the guy posting one of them.

 

[RiverDave]

I need to go see a dermatologist.. I have worn shirts for years but my buddy that was diagnosed said the white shirts do less than I thought as far as protection

 

[Carlson-jet]

You are not alone. I know I have a few spots that don't look good. It's the ones on my face that keep me away from the knife but the alternative really sucks.

 

[Riverbound]

You are not alone. I know I a few spots that don't look good. It's the ones on my face that keep me away from the knife but the alternative really sucks.

I went on for a spot on my nose, that was nothing. While I was in there he asked if I wanted to do a full exam. Now I'm glad I did. They cut 8 off and all but two were bad. One of them they didn't cut enough so he's having me come back in.

 

[Kailuaboy89]

I am investing in a long sleeve UV surf rash guard this year...cant afford to get any other issues, ive had problems already, and im only 46..

 

[boatnam2]

That sucks RB good luck with treatment, my first wife had a bad spot on her face that she ignored and got cut for below her eye to just above chin nice little life scar. With all the sunscreen long sleeve rash guards out there, really great option to greasing up all day, not as cool but good option.

 

[rivermobster]

REI sells long sleeve shirts that have build in UV protection.

I have quite a few of them these days...

:grumble:

 

[BHC Vic]

I've never worn sunblock and never really had an issue. First dam run I did I got fried. weekend before last I went out and didn't put anything on and got fried. Last week I did use sun block but the damage was done. I'm a peely mess right now. My wife has had a bunch of chunks cut off her back so that's why she's not the biggest river fan. I need to start protecting myself. My poor boys are super white skinned. Gonna do the rash guards w them whenever possible

 

[RitcheyRch]

I go in yearly for a check-up and every few years need to get a few moles removed. Thankfully as of now none have been cancerous.

 

[rivergames]

just drink more whiskey! :drink:thumbup:

 

[FROGMAN524]

Wish I was black

 

[HavasuHank]

What made you go to the dermatologist in the first place?

Any pictures from before to see what they looked like?

 

[Boat 405]

Yep a friend of mine at the river has one of those sunscreen type shirts SPF 50. Long sleeve. I always razz him about it, but I'm looking into one myself. :grumble:

 

[76 Hondo]

Glad you got it checked! Same thing happened to me last year one on the shoulder and one on the back, go ahead Doc. You're going to end up with 2 scars one 3 inches and one 4 inches, Holy Shit!! Now after loosing this weight I will be wearing the shirt also.

 

[throttle]

the bimini top has been getting put up more and more each summer, along with an umbrella over my chair on the beach. I am a candidate too for needing to go see dermatologist.

 

[BHC Vic]

the bimini top has been getting put up more and more each summer, along with an umbrella over my chair on the beach. I am a candidate too for needing to go see dermatologist.

Yup as much as I hate it I've been using the Bimini for my wife

 

[28skater]

Skin cancer is the real deal had two areas cut out last year and the fucked thing was because I had Blue Shield Platinum Plan the doctor told me if I had cheaper Insurance they would have cut out both areas on the same visit. But with premium insurance they schedule two visit so they can bill twice and I have stitches in me for a month! :grumble:

 

[Riverbound]

What made you go to the dermatologist in the first place?

Any pictures from before to see what they looked like?

I had a weird spot on my nose. The weird spot was nothing.

Honestly I couldn't see any of them. One was on my scalp. One on each ear two on my back and one in my armpit. The one in my armpit just looked like an out of place freckle.

 

[DLow]

Yep. I'm in the same bote, and so is my wife. Will see the derm every six months for a long time. Long sleeves, wide brim hat with the neck flap and good sunscreen for the rest of our lives. I'm now paying for growing up in Havasu.

Have you received the results from all of your biopsies? One needs more removal? Are they going to do anything else, like check your lymph nodes or lymphatic system?
Good luck with this.

 

[Riverbound]

Yep. I'm in the same bote, and so is my wife. Will see the derm every six months for a long time. Long sleeves, wide brim hat with the neck flap and good sunscreen for the rest of our lives. I'm now paying for growing up in Havasu.

Have you received the results from all of your biopsies? One needs more removal? Are they going to do anything else, like check your lymph nodes or lymphatic system?
Good luck with this.

Yes I received the results today. I'm going to have my wife look at it as to me it was all in a foreign language. Derm was confident the we were good with removing the rest and that's it.

 

[HavasuHank]

I had a weird spot on my nose. The weird spot was nothing.

Honestly I couldn't see any of them. One was on my scalp. One on each ear two on my back and one in my armpit. The one in my armpit just looked like an out of place freckle.

I've always been pretty tolerant with the sun. Always got a pretty good burn at DS and that was the base coat for the summer browning. I use sunscreen in the morning but rarely reapply ... but have made a conscious effort to be better about it.

 

[westair]

Going in tomorrow having a spot cut out after testing positive for melanoma ..... first time having the bad stuff, a little scary

 

[Riverbound]

I've always been pretty tolerant with the sun. Always got a pretty good burn at DS and that was the base coat for the summer browning. I use sunscreen in the morning but rarely reapply ... but have made a conscious effort to be better about it.

That was pretty much my program my entire life. In my baby book it's noted I got my first sun burn at 2 weeks old.

 

[HavasuHank]

That was pretty much my program my entire life. In my baby book it's noted I got my first sun burn at 2 weeks old.

We're going to Punta Cana in a little less than a month and I know the sun will be brutal.

Gonna try my hardest to continue to apply sunscreen.

 

[Ziggy]

We're going to Punta Cana in a little less than a month and I know the sun will be brutal.

Gonna try my hardest to continue to apply sunscreen.

Ask your wife to reapply. Do the same for her. Jan usually just does it without me asking.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

We're going to Punta Cana in a little less than a month and I know the sun will be brutal.

Gonna try my hardest to continue to apply sunscreen.

Tongans don't use no damn sunscreen. :lmao:lmao

 

[Chopperman]

Reading this is a good reminder for me. I've had a few bad spots cut out and stitched up a few years back. I love the sun and like being tan, but forget how harsh the sun really is.

 

[RitcheyRch]

My sister works for a dermatologist which is the one that I see yearly. She tells me that golfers are the most prone to skin cancer since most golfers do not wear sunscreen. Also, another place common for skin cancer is the bottom of your feet from when you lay on your stomach on a towel.

I just had my yearly done about a month ago and had a mole removed from my shoulder as posted earlier in this thread.

 

[Spudsbud]

My older sister. School teacher. Spent her summers on buddys boats. Skin cancer. dead at 42. 1998. I was 36. God Bless you Doodz. RIP.
Dont be stupid people.

 

[propcheck]

I have had my fair share of moles removed and been lucky so far I have a regiment that I stick too now based on my doctors recommendations

I apply a 30+ uva/uvb rub in lotion sunscreen right after I get out of the shower then stay in cool house for about an hour so it is fully absorbed on the skin as immediate sweating will allow it too wipe right off onto your clothes or car seat. Then every hour or so I use the spray on while I am out this has been a true life saver for me also after we drive in the boat I will reapply my back because the sweat and vinyl rub takes off the sunscreen

Also for the face,neck,ears and bald spot I go 70 for the spf cuz shirts don't cover it up

As for a hat no more baseball hat I rock the sweet $10 straw pool cleaner hat from Leslie Pool Supply

I started this 10 years back and no cuttings at the annual checkup since. If anybody has other stuff they do let's hear it.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

Once my beaner ass gets the base coat, I'm usually good to go. I'm not usually crazy about using sunscreen. I just try not to get burnt. I'm sure I should probably use it more though. I ain't got it as bad as you whiteys though.

 

[troostr]

My wife's had spots removed already back in her 20's, she makes us all go for a yearly check up. Us dutch kids are kinda fair skinned. So far for me just suspects removed with no criminals found. A good buddy I went to school with had some spots checked for the first time a few years back, came back as melanoma. They removed it all but it had mastetized into his lymphs. He's clear now, but he'll be doing immunotherapy the rest of his life.
Glad you got checked RB!

 

[SoCalDave]

Just went yesterday as well for my 4 month exam. I've been dealing with Basal Cell Carcinoma for almost 20 years now. Have had probably a dozen or more cut out and get blasted with liquid nitrogen every visit.
I am very fair and as a child would get severely sun burned on vacations to Florida and just being out on the lake where we lived. We didn't have sun block back then and I'm paying the price for it now.
Keep your kids and grand kids well covered and use plenty of sun block when out in the sun.

This was the last one that was cut out about 6 months ago.

 

[Deja_Vu]

Ouch that is no fun. +1 on the long sleeve rash guard.

I've had an area on my shoulder cut out and they had to go back in to get the rest. :grumble:
Every year I go now. They always find something to cut or freeze. :eek

 

[fmo24]

My mom was always chasing these. She said just pray that you don't get it on your nose or ears.

 

[Riverbound]

My mom was always chasing these. She said just pray that you don't get it on your nose or ears.

They removed one from my ear. [emoji107]

 

[Boozer]

I was diagnosed with skin cancer when I was 22, I had over 40 stitches in my beck by the time it was all cut out.

I always wear a hat, use SPF 35+ Sun Screen and now have a ton of SPF shirts that I wear. So far I haven't had anymore skin cancer in the 15 years since my last surgery and I spend a TON of time in the sun.

Take precautions, they work.

 

[Waterjunky]

I am one of the lucky ones that someone just says sun around and I start turning red. Friends and I laugh and joke about it, I have two colors. White and red, no in between. That and I usually have a sheen on the water around me as soon as I jump in for the first time due to the sunscreen. Working outside a lot and loving the water has been a challenge for years. I wear a lot of the UPF rated shirts, many come from places like Cabelas and are for fishermen. I am not real fond of the rash guards as they cling and are difficult to get in and out of especially once wet. The shirts are just button front and loose in any color you can imagine.

40 something and no cancer yet but I started being careful in college just because I burn badly and burns suck......

 

[spectra3279]

Just went yesterday as well for my 4 month exam. I've been dealing with Basal Cell Carcinoma for almost 20 years now. Have had probably a dozen or more cut out and get blasted with liquid nitrogen every visit.
I am very fair and as a child would get severely sun burned on vacations to Florida and just being out on the lake where we lived. We didn't have sun block back then and I'm paying the price for it now.
Keep your kids and grand kids well covered and use plenty of sun block when out in the sun.

This was the last one that was cut out about 6 months ago.

View attachment 563530

View attachment 563531

Looks like you went a round or 2 with George foreman in his day.

 

[Spot]

I read an article once that said if you receive as little as 5 blistering sunburns in your life you tremendously increase your risk for skin cancer. It was pretty eye-opening and has definitely made me more conscience about skin care.

 

[Riverbound]

I read an article once that said if you receive as little as 5 blistering sunburns in your life you tremendously increase your risk for skin cancer. It was pretty eye-opening and has definitely made me more conscience about skin care.

I'm fucked then. Lol.

Seriously though. For years my mom threatened with selling off the river house and getting rid of the boats if we ever got skin cancer. That was all aimed at me specifically, I have been better the last couple years but i always did that first sun burn if the year and generally didn't put on sunscreen until I already had "color". Unfortunately the shot accross the bow has changed my outlook. And as much as I love sitting out in the sun and soaking it up. I'm going to take more precautions. I want to keep my lifestyle.

For those of you that have posted what you do....thanks for the tips. I would love to find some sort of spf clothing that fits better and doesn't look as dorky. I already rock the straw hat so that's not a big change for me. Sunscreen I'm going to have to be religious about though as I dislike the spf shirts considerably more than sunscreen (mostly because I'm fat and they are tight). Lol.

 

[Riverbound]

Just went yesterday as well for my 4 month exam. I've been dealing with Basal Cell Carcinoma for almost 20 years now. Have had probably a dozen or more cut out and get blasted with liquid nitrogen every visit.
I am very fair and as a child would get severely sun burned on vacations to Florida and just being out on the lake where we lived. We didn't have sun block back then and I'm paying the price for it now.
Keep your kids and grand kids well covered and use plenty of sun block when out in the sun.

This was the last one that was cut out about 6 months ago.

View attachment 563530

View attachment 563531

Jeezus. That's motivation right there for me.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Riverbound, sorry to hear about this but glad you are on top of it. With your wife in the line of work she is in I strongly suspect you had some input from her.
One of our grandkids is extremely fair skinned, and his Mom is very much on top of the hat and sunscreen program. The other two girls are not as fair, but we stay on it anyway.

When I was a kid people didn't really think of using it, times change.

We will keep you in our prayers Bill.

 

[plaster dave]

I had a big one on my back cut off 3 years ago. Ever since I wear a shirt. I get a full body exam every 6 months. Since then they haven't cut anything out but have froze a few spots.

 

[westair]

Had some removed today ...... a 3 inch incision for a small spot:eek ..... now I have to wait and see if it was enough, doc seems pretty confident.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

My lady has some moles that I am concerned about but she doesnt want to get them checked out. Anyone have a story I could use for motivation for her?

 

[E4L]

Once my beaner ass gets the base coat, I'm usually good to go. I'm not usually crazy about using sunscreen. I just try not to get burnt. I'm sure I should probably use it more though. I ain't got it as bad as you whiteys though.

You ain't been on a boat in 20 years you better put some sunscreen on.

 

[Scott E]

UV Skinz I've got about 4 of the short sleeve shirts and have been contemplating going to a long sleeve one.

 

[GRADS]

Stage 2 melanoma survivor here. I'm a few lymph nodes lighter but still here. Found out I had it a month after I turned 40. At the time I didn't even go outside for a good 3 months, I kind of figured my outdoor lifestyle was over and a little bit of depression set in. I quickly came to realize I could still do the things I love like boating and paddle boarding but just had to go about it a different way. Sunscreen, shade, hats, bimini's, swim shirts....etc.

I hope it all works out for you.:thumbsup

 

[GRADS]

When someone says they're "throwing shade" on me I'm like thank you. :lmao