May is "Melanoma Awareness Month." Today is "Melanoma Monday." And because I have survived melanoma twice now, it is a cause that is particularly near and dear to my heart. The oncologist I used to work for would always say "Melanoma is what gives cancer a bad name." because it is one of the sneakiest and deadliest cancers of all.
More than a million cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. And it is estimated that in the U.S. one person dies from melanoma every hour of every day. That's a pretty startling statistic. But, the good news is this: if detected early it is usually very treatable. Many people go on to live full, productive lives for many years following diagnosis and treatment of the worst type of skin cancer possible - melanoma.
In honor Melanoma Awareness Month, I'm posting this little quiz for you to determine if you are at risk of developing melanoma at some point in the future. Take the quiz - it could save your life. Use sunscreen every single day. And see your dermatologist if you have any suspicious moles or marks on your skin.
SKIN CANCER RISK FACTOR QUIZ by the American Melanoma Foundation
Exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun is the most important fact in determining a person's risk of skin cancer. Past sunburns, sun exposure at young ages, genetics and immune system deficiencies may also play a part.
The following quiz can help determine your risk for developing skin cancer.
After you add up your total points, match your score with those noted below to find your risk level:
Hair ColorBlond/red =4
Brown = 3
Black = 1
Eye ColorBlue/green = 4
Hazel = 3
Brown = 2
When exposed to one hour of summer sun, you.. Burn, and sometimes blister = 4
Burn, then tan = 3
Tan = 1
Where is your job? Outdoors = 4
Mixed = 3
Indoors = 2
Do you have freckles? Many = 5
Some = 3
None = 1
Has anyone in your family had skin cancer? Yes = 5
No = 1
Where in the U.S. did you live most before the age of 18?South = 4
Midwest = 3
North = 2
Risk Levels
10 _ 15 Below average risk
16 _ 22 Average risk
23 _ 25 High risk
26 _ 30 Very high risk
People with the following characteristics have the highest risk for melanoma:
Fair complexions that burn or blister easily
Blond or red hair
Blue, green or gray eyes
Excessive sun exposure during childhood and teen years, blistering and sunburns before age 18
Family history of melanoma
More than 100 moles; 50 if you are under age 20
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Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Raw / Uncensored Thoughts......
There are some thoughts that probably need to stay in one's private journal "For My Eyes Only" sort of thing.... and what follows more than likely fits that bill... but, I am here to write a journal entry for today - May 1, 2011 and this is what is on my mind.... so, allow me to comment on my own rambling thoughts -- permit me to just wonder out loud -- don't feel that my questions beg an answer or response - they were just begging to be spoken.....
It has never been my intent to turn this blog into a religious or political forum -- but let's face it, religious beliefs, political actions, world situations and such do impact how Lee and her muse can, in fact, make the most of each day...
That being said, I find myself typing this as an NBC Special News Report is being promised: "Osama bin Laden has been killed and the US has his body."....
I find myself wondering what this will mean in the days, weeks, months to come -- to the world, to the people in that region, to the U.S. and to my own family where I have two sons-in-law who are in the military, to me personally.
Will this be the "turning point" in things in the Middle East that some predict? Or, will it be a lightening rod that fuels even more upheaval? Will it mean a opportunity for peace to finally have a chance? Will it mean that my sons-in-law and the many others who serve our country are going to face even more time, more danger, more war?
I also find myself wrestling with the idea that we as a nation are responsible for breaking one of the Ten Commandments - "Thou Shall Not Kill"... all in the name of bringing peace to the world.... I find myself wondering where in the Bible it says that it's okay to kill someone if it fulfills the country's political interests... Yes, horrible things happened to many many innocent people under the hand of this man... Yes, justice needs to be sought in such cases... But still I wrestle with all of it.... I don't feel any safer knowing that the US claims to have killed him.
What is to come as a result of all of this?
Only time will tell...
And in the meantime, my prayers continue ......
The Lord's Will Be Done In All Things..........
It has never been my intent to turn this blog into a religious or political forum -- but let's face it, religious beliefs, political actions, world situations and such do impact how Lee and her muse can, in fact, make the most of each day...
That being said, I find myself typing this as an NBC Special News Report is being promised: "Osama bin Laden has been killed and the US has his body."....
I find myself wondering what this will mean in the days, weeks, months to come -- to the world, to the people in that region, to the U.S. and to my own family where I have two sons-in-law who are in the military, to me personally.
Will this be the "turning point" in things in the Middle East that some predict? Or, will it be a lightening rod that fuels even more upheaval? Will it mean a opportunity for peace to finally have a chance? Will it mean that my sons-in-law and the many others who serve our country are going to face even more time, more danger, more war?
I also find myself wrestling with the idea that we as a nation are responsible for breaking one of the Ten Commandments - "Thou Shall Not Kill"... all in the name of bringing peace to the world.... I find myself wondering where in the Bible it says that it's okay to kill someone if it fulfills the country's political interests... Yes, horrible things happened to many many innocent people under the hand of this man... Yes, justice needs to be sought in such cases... But still I wrestle with all of it.... I don't feel any safer knowing that the US claims to have killed him.
What is to come as a result of all of this?
Only time will tell...
And in the meantime, my prayers continue ......
The Lord's Will Be Done In All Things..........
Friday, April 29, 2011
Royal Wedding
Today, Prince William & Kate Middleton were married with all the stuff of fairy tales. British monarchy knows how to throw a wedding! Full of pomp and circumstance! But then, I knew that.... I remember watching the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
But, what I remember even more than the fact that I was watching is that I did so during my evening med pass at a nursing home in Southern New Jersey. Many of the residents of the facility were gathered in the community / tv room. I could barely make my rounds to get the medicines to each of them...wheelchairs, walkers, and motorized chairs cluttered the room. The residents - men and women alike - were in awe... Their excitement was palpable. Their silence said it all. This usual chatty bunch sat silently as the two exchanged their vows - glued to the set.
The women oooo'ed and awed over the princess and her wedding dress but they also made quite a commmotion about the prince's dress uniform. The men, well, they'd never be caught commenting on the dress but they had a few things to say about his uniform too.
When all was said and done, most of "my" residents agreed that this was a fairytale come true... Of course, how were they to know then what we know now -- all of the disappointments, the tragedy that would evolve in the years after that magical day.
As the days leading up to today's royal wedding ticked by, I began hearing rumblings of speculation: What would she wear? How would this wedding compare to that of William's parents'? What would Diana think?
Today's web-based news at stuff.co states William pays tribute to Diana at wedding . It's interesting to read about the ways in which people felt Diana's inclusion in the day - afterall, it's undeniable, her presence was both felt and yet missed today... And, if you're like me, you stopped and reflected on where you were the day that Diana and Charles married.
So, I ask you - Where were you and how aware of that ceremony were you? Do you have any special memories of that day? And, how do you compare today with that day long ago?
But, what I remember even more than the fact that I was watching is that I did so during my evening med pass at a nursing home in Southern New Jersey. Many of the residents of the facility were gathered in the community / tv room. I could barely make my rounds to get the medicines to each of them...wheelchairs, walkers, and motorized chairs cluttered the room. The residents - men and women alike - were in awe... Their excitement was palpable. Their silence said it all. This usual chatty bunch sat silently as the two exchanged their vows - glued to the set.
When all was said and done, most of "my" residents agreed that this was a fairytale come true... Of course, how were they to know then what we know now -- all of the disappointments, the tragedy that would evolve in the years after that magical day.
As the days leading up to today's royal wedding ticked by, I began hearing rumblings of speculation: What would she wear? How would this wedding compare to that of William's parents'? What would Diana think?
Today's web-based news at stuff.co states William pays tribute to Diana at wedding . It's interesting to read about the ways in which people felt Diana's inclusion in the day - afterall, it's undeniable, her presence was both felt and yet missed today... And, if you're like me, you stopped and reflected on where you were the day that Diana and Charles married.
So, I ask you - Where were you and how aware of that ceremony were you? Do you have any special memories of that day? And, how do you compare today with that day long ago?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Aftermath
Last night, while covering the tornado activity here in NE Tennessee, the meteorologists spouted off town after town up the I-81 corridor... all in the line of the tornados. It was as if I was watching the signs for each exit along the route that Caleb and I travel each time we go from here to his place or vice versa.
They kept saying that it would be highly unusual for the tornado to remain intact as it approached the mountains.... Well, highly unusual doesn't quite get it when discussing last night's weather activity! The tornado debunked that myth - tornados can - and do - stay intact and do serious damage in the mountains.
Last night Caleb and I went to sleep to the sounds of hard driving rain and hail and the sights of flashes of lightening. This morning, the sun was shining and the birds were singing. As I listened to the news, I realized that there were reports of devastation in communities along my route back to Caleb's house. I worried about what awaited us on the drive.
I'd driven up interstate routes following hurricanes in Florida. Passage on the highway was safe but the sights to the left and right were disturbing to say the least. Would it be like that today?
Much to my surprise, the entire way down the interstate was unemcumbered. The bucolic scenes of llamas, sheep, cattle and horses grazing in pastures would lead one to believe that all was well in Greene County, TN. But far from it... beyond those pastures and peaceful scenes, people have lost their lives, and those who survived have lost their homes and a lifetime of possessions.
My heart breaks for those who have suffered the loss of loved ones to Mother Nature's wrath. I find myself grateful for my own safety and heartbroken for what they've had to endure. They say that this is the most active tornadic month in US history... and April is not even the traditional month for high activity... that's May! One can only wonder if, perhaps, Mother Nature has worn herself out and will allow everyone to take a deep breath next month...... or if there is more of the same in store.......
They kept saying that it would be highly unusual for the tornado to remain intact as it approached the mountains.... Well, highly unusual doesn't quite get it when discussing last night's weather activity! The tornado debunked that myth - tornados can - and do - stay intact and do serious damage in the mountains.
Last night Caleb and I went to sleep to the sounds of hard driving rain and hail and the sights of flashes of lightening. This morning, the sun was shining and the birds were singing. As I listened to the news, I realized that there were reports of devastation in communities along my route back to Caleb's house. I worried about what awaited us on the drive.
I'd driven up interstate routes following hurricanes in Florida. Passage on the highway was safe but the sights to the left and right were disturbing to say the least. Would it be like that today?
Much to my surprise, the entire way down the interstate was unemcumbered. The bucolic scenes of llamas, sheep, cattle and horses grazing in pastures would lead one to believe that all was well in Greene County, TN. But far from it... beyond those pastures and peaceful scenes, people have lost their lives, and those who survived have lost their homes and a lifetime of possessions.
My heart breaks for those who have suffered the loss of loved ones to Mother Nature's wrath. I find myself grateful for my own safety and heartbroken for what they've had to endure. They say that this is the most active tornadic month in US history... and April is not even the traditional month for high activity... that's May! One can only wonder if, perhaps, Mother Nature has worn herself out and will allow everyone to take a deep breath next month...... or if there is more of the same in store.......
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Weather Watches and Warnings
April 27, 2011 - Times-News
Having lived along the Southern Gulf Coast of Florida for over 30 years, I am very familiar with the whole concept of weather watches and warnings. Likewise, I have had plenty of practice keeping a cautious ear and eye tuned into the weather radio.
For the first time since I left that area about six years ago, I've spent most of the evening doing just that here in NE Tennessee. I just tried to listen to the weather forecasters giving updates as the large hail pounded on their rooftop - drowning out their audio feed. That's a first for me!
I have a healthy respect for the potential for severe damage from nature's wrath but I also learned a long time ago that I needed to keep a level head while watching the events unfold. That point is underscored by the fact that I have grandson Caleb here with me -- which means staying calm for his sake is of utmost importance. He is the worry wort in our family -- even more so than his Nan! (And I thought I took the prize on that front!) So I have had my hands full reassuring him that we are in a safe location and that the storm will soon pass.
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| Right in the upper northeast corner of TN at the VA state line is the Tri-Cities area including Kingsport TN map courtesy of Times-News online |
I'd much rather be here with him than worrying about him if he were in his home which is one of the more at risk manufactured homes.
And so, we are going to ride out the rest of the tornado activity in this area here in the safety of my home.... and tomorrow, we'll hopefully enjoy the sunshine that usually seems to follow such weather events!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Who is Sybil Ludington?
Today is the anniversary of Sybil Ludington's Ride. In 1777, she was the 16 year old eldest daughter of Colnel H. Ludington. Known as "The Female Paul Revere" she rode from New York to Connecticut to warn her father's militia that the British were burning the town . Her ride over unmarked terrain in the damp darkness was more than 40 miles which is more than twice the distance of the ride made by Paul Revere.
Each April since 1979, a 50-K foot race takes place to commemorate her 1777 ride. The course of this hilly road race approximates Sybil's historic ride, and finishes near her statue on the shore of Lake Gleneida, Carmel, New York.
Monday, April 25, 2011
This Week's Poem in Honor of Poetry Month
Forgetfulness
By Billie Collins
The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read,
never even heard of,
as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.
Long ago you kissed the names of the nine Muses goodbye
and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag,
and even now as you memorize the order of the planets,
something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps,
the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay.
Whatever it is you are struggling to remember,
it is not poised on the tip of your tongue,
not even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen.
It has floated away down a dark mythological river
whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall,
well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those
who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle.
No wonder you rise in the middle of the night
to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war.
No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted
out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.
By Billie Collins
The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read,
never even heard of,
as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.
Long ago you kissed the names of the nine Muses goodbye
and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag,
and even now as you memorize the order of the planets,
something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps,
the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay.
Whatever it is you are struggling to remember,
it is not poised on the tip of your tongue,
not even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen.
It has floated away down a dark mythological river
whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall,
well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those
who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle.
No wonder you rise in the middle of the night
to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war.
No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted
out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.
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