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Open Poetry #38
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Hurry Up and Wait
| Open Poetry #38 |
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Hurry Up and Wait |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA 
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Each worried thought lost to a false smile. For evil strikes the aging skins as the blistering sun’s rays lay down a carpet of cells once pristine and pure, now grievously harmed and dormant, awaiting the surgeon’s skilled hands. Hoping the race can be won, for the footsteps, though light, are weary of this trek, a trek taken too often...If only the eyes were not fair as the skin that surrounds them. Soon the land of my soil shall be furrowed and the reap of microscopic scurrying menaces shall bring peace again to the valley of a mind that knows that one word shall never be.. The word of “Nevermore”. I continuously battle skin cancers that are malignant and have to be surgically removed.... All are products of too much sun over a long period of time. It took 40 years before they started becoming noticeable and for the past three years I have endured 3 surgeries and a fourth is forthcoming....each procedure has removed 2 or 3 malignancies. Any one who thinks tanning booths are neat are in for a rude awakening as they start aging... Sun Screens, especially for children of all ages is highly recommended... Believe me, I know too well....and people who are fair complected are dessert to our dear friend Sol.... |
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| © Copyright 2006 Barry J. Tackett - All Rights Reserved | |||
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
Barry, how well do I know for I worked in my early years at a swim club when prevention wasn't heard of and people lathered up with iodine and baby oil and actually fried themselves in the sunshine just to look dark. Today, although I look better in a tan, I have used those fake ones (luckily never turning orange)And last year I was at the ocean and only out in the sun a total of 3 hours, broke out in a very itchy rash all over when I came home and it was determined to be sun poisoning. So I guess my body can no longer absorb the sun's rays without some sort of punishment from them. I go to the beach at the end of this week and will probably come home just as pale as I am now. Besides it has been raining here so much I will be lucky to see the sun  Good luck to you ... I know it's hard enough just to deal with the so called age spots.  M |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Dear Barry, your words go straight to the heart. I am sorry to hear of this. It's my turn to send a prayer to heaven for you, my friend. The race will be won! Love and hugs. Margherita  |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Thank you Margherita, don't worry, it will all work it self out over time...thanx for the thoughts...I just want to share this so that maybe others will be more conscious of the sun's damage that can be caused and never comes to light until many years later. |
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Serena Junior Member
since 2006-06-25
Posts 47 |
As much as I've been told that sun bathing is bad for me, I've done it pretty hard core for the last two years of my life. My natural color is very pale, almost literally white, but I tan to a.. relatively dark natural color. I have noticed since I started tanning frequently that the freckles I had on my skin that were minor have gotten more prevelent. But I like having a tan.. so I might start going for the "paint on's" providing they don't end in a yellow color. |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Serena, I spent many hours out of doors. At one time, was in the Navy onboard submarines that stay submerged for about 65 days at a time...Of course we lost our tans during those two months, came back looking like ghosts...then we would have to be in the sun, without proper skin protection, burn miserably and the cycle would repeat itself. All of the years of damage cause the cells to change from being normal skin cells to spots and blemishes that are sometime not malignant, but at other times they are. I strongly recommend anyone that is fair complected should take proper care of their skin and see a dermatologist for a screening. |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Barry, thank you for posting this write. I hope many read it. My thoughts are with you, too. I always burned, so I did not stay in the sun much as a child. Experience is probably the best teacher, but I hope many read your poem and take it to heart! So glad you share your experience with this. (I'm always after my daughter about 'baking' herself.) ~ Klassy |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Barry, I am so sorry to here this. A profound and timely write m'friend. With this hair and fair skin I have not gone out in the sun for many a year. I'd rather stay fair or be laughed at for using the 'indoor tan' kind. You take care ya hear me!! I'll send healing prayers up for you tonight. Heart hugs~Nancy ~Somewhere in my heart I'm always |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
BJ, I am glad you let us know through your thoughtful words about this. I'm keeping you in my prayers if that's alright with you. *hugs*....jo |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Nancy,Iliana... I know what you mean about the indoor tan...that is what I do..Unfortunately, I waited too long before I consistently used skin protection and now I am paying for it with all of the areas that continue to crop up about once a year, sometimes only a few months... I have 3 areas that need removal via surgery that have come to light in the past 5 months...because it hasn't been much longer than that since the last surgery which required a skin graft in one area and about 30 stitches in two other areas...all done the same day... This next one won't be too much different and sadly, you can bet that within about a year I will have others.... But, don't worry...I will recover....and I will continue to pray that each one can be removed without disfiguring me...(loss of part of an ear or something along that line) Yes, I want many others to read and if a few take heed early...that will be the greatest gift I can give someone. |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Klassy, sorry I jumped over you. Yes, and I hope that your daughter will take better care of her skin...Kids always think they are bullet proof... |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
I had my share of desire of wanting to be tan and went for about a year to the tanning bed...I hope that doesn't come up years from now to bite me in the rear yaknow? Sending hugs your way my friend |
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Patricia Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160Missouri |
Barry, I have several friends who are sun and tanning booth worshippers. I have hinted to them they should stay out of these deadly rays, but I think tannning almost becomes an addiction. I watch my best friend's skin turn to shoe leather. She cannot see what is happening. My father worked outdoors in escavation for 30 years. He has had several incidences of skin cancer. As for my children and me, we wear sunscreen and sunglasses when we go outdoors. I carry sunscreen in my purse during the summer months. My older daughter and I, have selected some very pretty artificial bronzers to give us that subtle tan and glow. Thank you for sharing this with us. Your words need to be heard by all. Pat |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Dixie, a lot depends on the amount of exposure...It is sort of like a bank account that you continue to put money in to and eventually WHAM, it fills up and cells start to change and some become skin cancers, of which, not all are malignant. The best advise I can give is if you find anything on your body that you are concerned about, or it is changing shape or size, changing color or symmetry....have it looked at by your physician and if necessary, go to a dermatologist.... Sun Screens and limited exposure are two of the best prevention tools there are to keep from having skin cancer at some point in life.... IF I were in a room with 40 people that all had episodes of skin cancer, most all of them would probably be in their 40s or later and not many children would be within the numbers....though children can be susceptible to having skin cancer. Wanta get more intelligent...do a little surfing and go to a site that has a lot of educational material about skin cancers...pre cancerous areas, so forth... But don't get fearful of it, just learn about it and this tool will help you greatly over time. Patricia... I am pleased to hear all that you are doing....you are taking the smart route and that is the best way to go. Barry.... And I hope more read and become more aware. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
You are a very kind, compassionate man, Magnus. Thank you for all that you are doing to prevent other people suffering what you have suffered. My son and grandson sometimes go fishing on a boat of a friend and colleague of my son's, and they always are grilled by me as to whether they have applied sunscreen. Most times they have, but I have heard that it is possible to get skin cancer from one long exposure to the sun, in these days in which the hole in the O-Zone layer is getting bigger. I will point out the dangers to more people now, and quote your experience. I thought that you had said when you were having the surgery the first time I read your poem (but didn't have time to respond to it then). However I see you didn't - just that it is soon. When will it be? You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope it will all go even better than expected. Hugs - Owl |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Diana, thanx much...all should go well, these guys are pros at this type of surgery and plastic surgery...they sometimes have to be creative to make an area where tissue has been removed look "normal" again. But, other than that, I think it will go well. July 13th is the date of the surgery...My better half will go with me cause I am not allowed to drive after the surgery...all local, not general anesthesia but sometimes you come away from it a little bit in shock and certainly not 100 percent.... the dressings are a pain, have to change them daily for about 3 weeks until they can be removed and the area allowed to have some air and sunlight, so to speak. I cannot express seriously enough to others that prevention is certainly necessary in these times when the incidences of skin cancer are on the rise... Thanx for caring, fret not, I'll be okay. Barry |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Thank you for this Barry. Too many of us have taken big chances. I will keep you in my mind and heart. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
I promise not to fret, but it must be scary just having a local anaesthetic with all that going on. I will still think of you on 13 July and hope and pray that all goes well (but I won't fret)! Glad you won't be driving after that. I am amazed that you go home the same day. - Owl |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Although not what I was expecting to read I want to thank you for sharing this. It is always a constant and present danger and more people should be made aware of it. My thoughts and prayers are with you for your upcoming surgery and recuperation. I have a good friend who lives with the threat of this and so ... I know. Regards Helen |
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Cari07 Junior Member
since 2006-06-28
Posts 33Missouri, US of A |
The story behind this piece (that I have picked up from the other comments) is truly touching. Its a painful thing, but keep the faith and nothing can bring you down. |
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