Donegal has bathed in several weeks of glorious sunshine so far this summer – such a joy after a long and dreary winter. I have visited the beach as often as possible. Indeed, I have even been SWIMMING in The Atlantic!
The Review
Yesterday, I drove around 30 miles, parked my car then climbed two long flights of stairs to a large waiting room. I felt quite anxious. I was back for a six month review after having a 2 cm wide basal cell carcinoma removed from the bridge of my nose.
I did not want a recurrence.
I have always been respectful of the sun’s rays and applied a good SPF when needed; I now wear a hat for extra protection.
Two red spots had joined my fading scar for a couple of weeks then disappeared. This morning I looked in the mirror and a new red mark had appeared!
Thankfully, the news was good.
“It is just scar tissue,” the efficient Dermatologist announced.
I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief….
A smile filled my face as she continued, “Keep an eye on it and if you notice any other changes, we can treat it very easily.”
I emerged from the building feeling lighter but my nerves still felt somewhat raw.
Back at home, I kept my coat on and went outside to sit in my new cerise pink garden chair.
Mother Nature brought me back to balance.
Staying Safe
I am happy to share that I have had no recurrences, and I continue to wear a high SPF and my hat.
Wishing you all a safe summer in the sunshine.
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
Great news you’re fine! Continue to enjoy mother nature’s beauty and have a great weekend.
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Thank you. The weather is improving so I can go into the garden coatless!
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🙂
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Glad all ended well. Have a nice weekend.
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Thank you so much. Have a lovely weekend too.
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What a relief! I’m so happy that all was positive for you and the best part was you got to sit in your cerise pink garden chair and enjoy Mother Nature!! Wishing you a warm and sunny day to enjoy your chair and nature!! 🙂
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Thanks Deb. I’m in the pink again!
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😊
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Thank God. I held my breath until I read the part of it being scar tissue. Blessed be
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Thank you. It was all a bit nerve wracking but I am soo very grateful for clear skin and great support from all my family, friends and blogging friends. God bless you all.
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It’s so good to hear that everything turned out well for you. Wishing you continued good health. ❤
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And you.
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[…] Related post: Put on your SPF! […]
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Oh i missed this post good news and great advise
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Thanks Bella. Happy weekend. X
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Reblogged this on Kentucky Angel's Reflections on life and commented:
Good and timely advice for us all!
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Many thanks Angie. Sadly, my ex husbands son died aged just 16 from malignant melanoma. So it’s such an important message…
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That is tragic at any age, but for a 16 year old, I can’t even imagine the pain and loss you must feel. I have a great grandson fighting Leukemia at this time and I know what my son is going thru with that one, so it makes my own loss of two babies, one stillborn and the other one day old, seem much easier to live with. Prayers for both of you.
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Life can be so tough at times and I often wonder why? Take care. I shall think and pray for your great grandson and his family.
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Very good advice for everyone here. Several of my friends have made that same trip to their doctor’s offices, so I reblogged this for them all on http://KYAngel'sreflectionsonlife.wordpress.com. I am hoping this one will actually show up in browser’s around the world. Thank you so much for re-posting this one.
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Thanks again Angie. 😊
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🙂 ❤
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I am so plead you did not have a reocurrence and it was just scar tissue. I wear a hat and a light jacket to protect me from the sun. I use Olive Oil as it has a natural sunscreen in it. Take care.
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Thank you. I am greatly relieved too. Take care. 😍
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I’m glad that it turned out okay. This is a good reminder to all to wear that sunscreen. Enjoy the outdoors and stay safe.
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Thanks Ron. You too. 😊
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I am glad all is well. I live in sunscreen and have total respect for the sun. 🌺
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Thanks Eugenia. The sun is a great blessing but it has to be respected. 😊
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What a relief, Brigid. Phew. I was a baby-oil sunbather as a teen to the point of blistering. I’ve been lucky so far, but regret that I didn’t take better care of my skin. It seems that young people are more careful these days, and that’s great! Enjoy the sunshine, lathered up. That hat is better for your eye too! 😀
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Yes Diana. We were smothered in olive oil as children. Glad skin safety is highlighted now. We have a high incidence of melanoma in the south of Ireland with so many fair skins. 😍
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Oh wow! Thank you for the reminder. I am a huge believer in spray tanning for color and using SPF for sun exposure. But I had some suntanning years as a youth and I know they may catch up with me someday.
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I am glad you are sun safe. Unfortunately sunbeds were incredibly popular when I was younger with no spf…
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So glad you had good news!
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Me too. It is so important to take care in the sun.
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So glad to know the checkup turned out okay. Yes, we realize the importance of sunscreen and it is so good to read your re-post on this topic. Right now we are in North Carolina and the sun is blistering hot. The young folks are basking in its rays and if only they truly realized the effects of the suns rays.
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Yes. I think we feel invincible when we are young…
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We think you are so right. We were there once. Don’t want to go back though, lol.
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Thanks for sharing this great news! No matter your pigmentation, you should always wear protection. I certainly do. 😀
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Thanks Michelle. Our skin is so precious. 😊
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I am very glad to hear that everything is still fine with you. My husband had a stage 1 melanoma removed recently and is having further preventative surgery tomorrow.
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I hope all goes well for him Robbie. Take care 😊
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Sending you healing vibes Brigid! 💙
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Thanks Andrea. 😊
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😘😘
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Thank you for the very important reminder. It is easy for me to forget the consequences of time in the sun. Stay well.
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Thank you Ali. I hope this posts reminds many. My ex husbands son died at 16 from malignant melanoma so the message is really important for me. Have a lovely summer. 😎
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Such good news Brigid. And the message is important. Glad you enjoyed the afternoon in your new chair. Reblogging with comment: Important message.
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Thank you Barbara. I did not take as much care of my skin when I was younger but I treat it as very precious now. 😊
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Reblogged this on Create With Barb and commented:
Important message. Just because it is winter here in Australia remember to slip, slop slap.
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Great news! I always dread the visit to the dermatologist, having had several basal cells. That is the reason for my orange hat in yesterday’s blog. Your advice is spot on and well timed. Thanks!
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You are welcome George. I am extra careful now. It was quite a traumatic experience that has thankfully not recurred. 😊
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So happy to hear this good news, Brigid and yes so nice to sit in the garden with nature and be there in balance and love. Take care dear and loved the nice post.
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Thank you Kamal. It was a great relief to have no recurrence. 🌼
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So glad to hear you got the all clear Brigid. A nice, safe summer to you too from sunny Lancashire where firefighters been fighting moorland fires now in west Pennines for over a week. Must be very difficult conditions for them to be working in. Receiving a lot of practical community support which revives ones faith in human nature.
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Absolutely true, Brigid and that feeling and goosebumps that you have. Blessings from the Lord who knows us and saves us. He is always there with us, keep on taking his name and be yourself leaving all tensions of life in the garden of bliss that you so loving have. Do not worry all will be good.
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So pleased you had good news, Brigid. You can’t be too careful and may you have plenty more sunny days to enjoy.
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Thank you Julie. I am still greatly relieved. 🌼
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P.s just quickly looked at other replies & saw your ex husband’s son died at -6 yrs from malignant melanoma, how sad
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Yes. It was very tough. Paul was a lovely young man. 🌼
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How sad
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Such an important reminder. Hope you’re well Brigid.
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Hi Miriam. Yes I am really enjoying the sunshine. A great boost. 🌼
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So glad to hear. I’m missing the sun.
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wonderful news and beautiful weather. so happy to read this news. much love to you Brigid🌺🌺
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Thank you Gina. We had three wet summers in a row so we are thankful for sunshine. 🌼
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the rains seems to have moved to the equator, we have not had such a wet June and July in years, bit not complaining, more rain means no water rationing here.
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The plants will be happy too. Thankfully we had rain showers last night. 🌼
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When I was young, I wanted so badly to spend lots of time sunbathing but didn’t have time. Now I’m glad that didn’t work. My husband (who spent weekends at the river) is working through those issues.
Yep, keep that SPF going!
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You will remain youthful now Jacqui. 🌼
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Very timely indeed, Brigid! I will if you will. Enjoy your swims… I plan on a swim very soon. ~Kim
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Lovely Kim. I feel so much better after a swim in the sea. Happy 4th July. 🌼
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A timely and important reminder Brigid!
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Thank you Terri. People tend to forget that the sun is dangerous. 🌼
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That’s so true. I wish I had known what I know now in my younger days when I was laying out baking in the sun. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of having to have some skin cancer removed also, and the sad thing is that it was probably completely avoidable.
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I think most people think it won’t happen to them… I hope you have no recurrence. 🌼
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I hope the same for you!
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I love your pink chair and your garden Brigid. Stay blessed and enjoy good health. I am so happy for you.
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Thank you Balroop. I would not want another lesion. Very traumatic. 🌼
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I am glad you are well. 🙂
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Thank you for the timely reminder as the days become warmer…I’m glad your surgery went well and that your hat has become your new best friend…as a survivor of the same cancer, I’m very fond of my Kangol fedora and SPF 30!
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You will know how it feels Kimberlee. I got a shock when I visited tge skin specialist as I was under the impression it was keratinised skin! Happy summer. 😎
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Brigid, you must have been filled with anxiety before your visit. I am so glad that all is okay and it turned out to be scar tissue. No wonder you needed to just sit out, begin to find equilibrium again.
I love that you’re swimming in the sea – what a beautiful and serene location and amazing to have such a beach almost to yourself! Enjoy and breathe lightly, with joy! Hugs, xx
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Thank you Annika. It was a nerve wracking appointment! I am so glad to have the all clear. Goodness what a joyful summer it has been Annika. I feel like I am reborn every day that I can swim in the sea. It is such a tonic. X🐬
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Very scary but a good and happy ending and a cautionary tale for all. I am so happy that you are basking in a heatwave and bid you bon continuation is for many weeks to come (with the occasional good fall of rain overnight to keep everything lush and green 😉)
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Thank you. We had a nice heavy fall of rain last night which made the garden and me very happy. It has been such a tonic to have so much sunshine. Everyone is smiling… 😎
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Sunshine has such an uplifting effect – nature’s most efficacious remedy 🙂
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Can’t be said enough. Thanks for this reminder. I envy you your sea swimming. Take care.
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Thank you. It is such an important safety precaution especially for gardeners. 🌼
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So glad to hear everything turned out okay and you didn’t have a reoccurrence!
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Thank you. It was a huge relief. 🌼
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Oh, Brigid, I’m sure that was such a great relief. When I was about 19, I sunburned myself so badly that I even had trouble walking and I didn’t even spend that much time out there. Since that point, I’ve been vigilant and never burned again. I’m big on SPF, wear hats and just really don’t go outside that much on sunny days (OK, I stay in the shade). We’re landlocked so I don’t have any beautiful beaches to tempt me. Take care, Terri xox
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Goodness that was a horrible experience. So many people get caught out when they least expect it. I feel like a different person when the sun shines and it is a long time since I have been able to swim so much in the sea in Ireland – 50 ish! Happy summer. 😎😎😎
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That must have been really scary for you! Goid news that it all turned out well though. The weather has been glorious, hasn’t it? We had a cloudy day in Cavan yesterday, and another today, but generally the outlook is good for another few weeks… long overdue! 🤣
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It was Ali. Glad to be clear. The sunshine has been such a tonic. Long may it last with a bit of rain at night for the plants 🌼
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Yep….wearing mine all the time now. Too bad I was so into tanning as a young adult….
Luckily when my actinic keratosis spots pop up, I used my silver gel. (https://www.jtouchofstyle.com/mays-love-it-leave-it/) I’m always amazed at how well it works on those spots. Luckily even my dermatologist agrees…
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
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I guess we are all learning after our early tanning experiences. Thanks for the silver gel tip. X
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I am so glad Brigid! I had my annual check as well and nothing. Congratulations and yes I have two special hats and lots of my sunscreen! Take care and such good news!
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Thank you Lynn. It is such a relief to get good news. 🌼
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I am sure it is! I was very anxious after my surgery but it has gotten better with each check up! Such good news! Thinking of you xx
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So thankful with you that it was all OK Brigid!! I’ve had some skin cancers cut and stitched and know how important it is to keep on top of it! And– loved that you are fully enjoying the summer there! We walked at the beach last week with friends. take care friend. xo
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You will know what a shock It is to find them and then to get the all clear… I have so enjoyed swimming this summer. It has been quite wonderful. It is hard to beat those beach walks. X 🌼
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So good to be active- especially in the summer! Enjoy every minute Brigid! xox
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So very happy it turned out well! So happy you are enjoying the summer!! 😊
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Thank you Lisa. I am thankful for no recurrences. 🌼
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I’m an over-sunscreen-er .. It drives my kids nuts, but it’s posts like that that remind me to keep it up!! This beach is beautiful too. Great post! 🙂
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Thank you Didi. There were no suncreens when I was a child. Olive oil was slathered on us. 🌼
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Oh man! I can’t imagine life without it! My fair skinned children burn so easy!
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It’s definitely been Factor 50 for my face this summer Brigid – how wonderful it’s been to wake up day after day to glorious sunshine. It definitely puts a smile on my face! x
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It has been terrific. If only every summer was so nice. I am making the most of it. X
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I don’t blame you and looks like you’re in the perfect spot in Ireland to make the most of it. x
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