Six more months and still in remission

I got the all clear six month check up news this week. The CAT scans were all negative and the blood work looked good. No lumps or bumps detected. So I've been clear for a year now. My next checkup is in another six months.

My very favorite season, summertime, hasn't been quite as much fun this year since I was very diligent avoiding the sun. I do miss napping on a float in the pool, but have to also say in the same breath that I'd rather give that up and still be alive to enjoy a sunny day. I had my fun in the sun, and now I've got to play it safe. I wish I had been smart enough to play it safe a lot sooner.

"Healthy tan" is an oxymoron. Co-workers who know my cancer story look at me with guilt and make up excuses when they come in to work on a Monday with their skin yet another shade darker. "I was careful not to burn." "I used sunblock." Whatever. I'm not trying to lay a guilt trip on anyone. After all, I was the one who was not careful enough not to burn, and hardly ever used sunblock. I really don't want to hear excuses either - it's their life and they'll only understand if and when they have to deal with skin cancer. I hope they never do.