We Need to Block the Sun

[Sam]

I receives some bad news about a good friend today.  His cancer has spread to his bones and he will be going to the National Cancer Institute for more treatments.

Two years ago he had a "wart" on the bottom of his foot.  His family physican called it a Planters Wart and treated it with creams and freezing it.

After six (6) months and the "wart" not improving or gone, the family physician told him to see a dermotologist. The dermotologist took one look at the "wart" and sent him directly to the hospital for surgery the next day.

Too late.  After six (6) months of incorrect diagnosis the "wart" turned out to be a melanoma.  Skin cancer.

Yes, on the bottom of his foot.

Dermotologist told him that skin cancer will appear at the skin's weakest spot, be it on the bottom of your foot all the way up your body to behind your ears or on the top of your head.

He has three boys. The twins are four (4) and the baby is one (1).

His wife has opend a page on Caringbridge, which is not good.  She said that she will be posting updates for everyone to read and do not call the house.

So far he is in good spirits.  He is such a nice guy that you would love just being with him.  He is smart, funny, easy going and you will get "warm fuzzies" being around him. There is not a nasty bone in his body.

He is the kind of guy who will tell you where to fish; what baits to use; and then let you go to the place before him.  He is always has a smile on his face and a kind word to say about everyone.

To say the least I am very upset.  Why him?  Why destroy a beatutiful family?

We all need to closley check our bodies for "funny looking" moles or other blemishes that look nasty on a monthly basis.  And don't wait to see a dermotologist.  Go immediately if you find anything that looks suspicious.

I now know why I fish.  Mental health reasons.  At least we can forget our troubles and cares for a few hours a week.

So please use sunscreen.  Wear long sleeve shirts designed to protect you from the sun. Wear a cap with a flap over your neck. And long pants.  This is the least we can do to protect ourselves.

The Medical College of Virginia killed a good friend last year during back surgery and now this.  It just is not fair.

[btcprince]

sorry to hear this. it does seem that the good ones get the shaft a lot of the time.

skin cancer is no joke, i am all too familiar with it personnally but got lucky and it was 'basal cell carcinoma' and was treated over a 2 month period with a chemical that ate the cancer cells away slowly and havent had a problem since. being a mix of swede and french cajun, i love the outdoors but just dont have the skin for it. spf 60 at least guys. wear that sunscreen, yall, your families need you around.

[Gatorbassman]

My wife lost her grandfather to skin cancer a few years ago. My dad has cancer spots cut out every year. I'm not taking any chances.

The first part of this video is me wearing my sun clothes. The hat looks crazy and people give me a strange look when I am wearing long pants and long sleaves on hot sunny days but I don't care. I don't like putting on sun screen so I wear them with pride. They are a little expensive but worth every penny. I have yet to get a sunburn while wearing them and they aren't hot at all.

[skillet]

Ancestors were mostly English and Irish. Have never had a tan that I couldn't sunburn! My dermatologist doesn't have to worry about college for her kids. Folks like me have already paid for it. Have had basil cell and melanoma removed. Straight from the horse's mouth "cover up or use sunscreen"....

                           As Ever,

                            skillet

[Dan:]

Sorry to hear that, Sam. I never knew that melanoma would do something like that.

I used to never wear sunscreen because I never burn. I have naturally dark skin and the worst that ever happens is my skin turns red but then the next day it is brown. I don't know if that means I'm less susceptible to skin cancer, but recently I started realizing that later in my life I might pay for all my sun exposure, even if it isn't burning me. So now I use sunscreen when I am out for long periods of time.

[FD.]

Sorry to hear about your friend Sam.  I hear stories like this and wonder to myself, why?  I work outside and fish every chance I get but don't use sunscreen often enough.  I will now.

[32251]

I went to have a suspicious place on my arm looked at the other day. My skin doctor took one look at it and told me to lie down and cut it out right there!  No problems.  Skin cancer is the worst. It will travel to the rest of your body. Protect your self in the sun.

[txguy87]

That is rough to hear Sam, but I thank you for sharing. My grandma has been fighting melanoma for the past three years. It is a definite subject that we need to be aware of considering our passion. I hope your friend can get better, skin cancer is a nasty one.

[Popeye]

I too am extremely saddened to hear about your friend's melanoma! My wife has been badgering me to put on sunscreen every time I come back from an outting with another sunburn! I fully intend to DO THAT and wear more protective clothing from now on!

[simplejoe]

sorry to hear about your friend, it seems like it always happens to the good people, not the bad. I lost my uncle at age 52 because of bone cancer just too young to die, he was full of life too. My wife makes me put sunscreen on she's got a couple different types of sunscreen on my boat for the kids and I

[Big-O]

Yes Sam we do need to pay more attention to making sure to wear sun block and other types of shade protection at all times when out in it. I too am a example of the damage that occurs for not being more considerate of the dangers. Just last year during the filming of a fishing show, one of our camera men ask me about a dark spot on my face and I told him I hadn't noticed it. A week later, I went to the dermatologist and found out it was melanoma. After they cut off half of my cheek, they said to stay out of the sun at all cost. Now I am a believer.  If you look on my website on the Chunk Product page, you will see that I am fishing nights now.This needs to be a regular thread so pls keep it in the forefront.

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[32251]

The first part of this video is me wearing my sun clothes. The hat looks crazy and people give me a strange look when I am wearing long pants and long sleaves on hot sunny days but I don't care. I don't like putting on sun screen so I wear them with pride. They are a little expensive but worth every penny. I have yet to get a sunburn while wearing them and they aren't hot at all.

Where did you get that hat?