On Wednesday I had minor surgery. About 2 months ago I found a spot on my nose that was suspicious, and after a visit to my dermatologist-for I knew the suspicion demanded immediate attention- I had scheduled surgery to remove the squamous skin cancer on the right tip of my nose.

I have had other areas removed, pre-cancer spots that required only minor cuts and stitches. And on my lips I have had chemotherapy cream treatment. Skin cancer I am familiar with, for my mother unfortunately has been cut too many times to count and still has new spots coming up daily. If we only knew that all of those days on the porch, at Pepe's pool, and on Narragansett Beach would result in this.

Surgery went well though, even after the weeks of fear and not knowing what was going to happen. Nathan was the best support crew. The first surgery, the actual removal, took about 3 hours. First they removed a piece of tissue, then they would test it right there in the lab. This is to ensure the full removal of the affected area. Sitting in the waiting room was a challenge. I was one of 7 who were having skin cancer removed, though I was the youngest, and this was pointed out to me several times. I wasn't do so well. My aunt is going through chemo for Breast Cancer and I could not help but think of the worse case scenario and how skin cancer is actually an epidemic and my days of running mid-day or sunbathing on Narragansett Beach are absolutely over. The nurse could not emphasize enough the importance of a hat and sunblock and how we do not use enough block. Did you know that if you spend 6 or more hours on the beach you should go through one bottle of sunblock for that day?

The second part of the surgery was the actual reconstruction of the nose- minor reconstruction, the spot being the size of a pencil eraser. I was sedated twilight style, though I remember nothing, except the fact that I do not have easy veins to tap and that my feet were so cold and I had to pee very badly.

I thought that I would be bandaged, however the 20 plus stitches were visible and staring right back at me in the mirror. It's amazing the expertise of a plastic surgeon, for the doc had said there would be minimal scarring - even though when you look at it now you'd think I will have to explain myself and the scar with every new encounter.

Yesterday was a hard day, as if I was stricken with the worse head cold ever, and was unable to blow my nose. I still felt groggy and from having to lay down for the whole day my shoulder was in excruciating pain, and you would think the Hydrocodone would help but it was barely scratching the surface of discomfort. I ate all day - Green Chili Stew, gummi bears, chocolate covered strawberries, pizza, and more chocolate - and the thought of not being able to workout for weeks did not inhibit the act of emotional eating.

Today I woke up with a black eye and I just thought this was the coolest thing. I like battle scars, and if you have to be out of work for 6 days and refrain from vigorous activity for 2 weeks, I would like to know I looked as if I won the fight.

I am enjoying the time off and the ability to just Facebook and Blog and search the internet. I do hope that this is the only time I will have to go through this, though the first thing the dermatologist stated was that it is possible for this to come back. What to do now?

1. Apply sunblock after the shower every day!
2. Reapply sunblock before taking clients outside and going for a run.
3. Stay out of the sun from 10am - 6pm.
4. Exercise in the shade when possible.
5. Wear a hat that is wide brim and wear a shirt whenever I am outside in the sun.
6. Continue getting a skin check every 6 months.

Call your dermatologist today and schedule a full skin cancer check. Make sure they check you from head to toe, including your scalp and in between your toes and especially those areas that you would never think would be in danger.

Take care of yourself and your health. Be proactive and assertive.