feeling pink fatigue

I suffer from pink fatigue quite often.  I can't believe someone actually said that !  I should because when I was diagnosed my best friend mostly prattled on and on about her breast cancer…..which was by the way stage 1.  I love the term "pink fatigue".

Mary

Stage

I suffer from pink fatigue quite often.  I can't believe someone actually said that !  I should because when I was diagnosed my best friend mostly prattled on and on about her breast cancer…..which was by the way stage 1.  I love the term "pink fatigue".

Mary

Stage

I love the term awareness unfairness!  I was made aware of my situation because of a lump in my armpit (the lymph node all swelled with mel) and I was really scared it would be breast cancer.  When my doctor called to give me my diagnosis…she said "I wish I were telling you its breast cancer.  That would be better.  You have advanced melanoma".  Nice.  I think I started this journey with pink fatigue!

I love the term awareness unfairness!  I was made aware of my situation because of a lump in my armpit (the lymph node all swelled with mel) and I was really scared it would be breast cancer.  When my doctor called to give me my diagnosis…she said "I wish I were telling you its breast cancer.  That would be better.  You have advanced melanoma".  Nice.  I think I started this journey with pink fatigue!

I've been peeved at pink for a long time now, particularly since becoming aware the indoor tanning industry is cosying up..

https://smarttan.com/store/-p-192.html?osCsid=fbyeozrpmesp

another pink campaign…

http://d-featbreastcancer.com/index.htm

Canadian salon – tanning minutes = BC donation

http://www.fabutan.com/about-fabutan/press-releases/20091123-ray-of-hope.aspx

On Jan 20, Smart Tan's Vice President states here https://smarttan.com/blog/index.php/category/headlines/page/10/ that "sunshine is the only source of vitamin D"

The VitD sales pitch is outlined below  (Don't get me wrong, I am interested in VitD – I just don't want to get it from a tanning bed!)

https://smarttan.com/conference/detail.php

TECHNICAL
2011: The Year of Sunlight, Vitamin D and Beyond
Dr. Marc Sorenson, The Sunlight Institute
Saturday, 10:00 – 10:50

The perception of sunlight as essential to human life is changing, driven by a storm of consistent pro-sun, pro-vitamin D research that is making it impossible (outside of dermatology and chemical sunscreen pharmaceutical circles) to ignore the fact that humans need regular sun exposure to function properly. Independent sunlight advocate Dr. Marc Sorenson, author of "Vitamin D3 and Solar Power for Optimal Health" founded The Sunlight Institute in 2010 because sunshine is free, no one sells it and it has no marketing team. Yet the benefits of regular sun exposure – highlighted by, but not limited to, vitamin D production – are still among the most underappreciated of all preventive health measures available today. Sorenson, a published health education expert and founder of one of the nation's most successful fitness institutes in Utah, has made being a champion of sun exposure one of his primary missions. He's joined by Smart Tan's Joseph Levy review why research in the past year has painted a sunnier picture for UV and what role indoor tanning facilities can play in being part of the pro-sun movement.

SUNDAY, OCT. 24

New 2011 'D-Angel' Vitamin D Action Empowerment Certification Training
Joseph Levy International Smart Tan Network
Sunday, 9:00 – 11:00 am

Widely regarded in 2010 as the most powerful grassroots market growth and employee empowerment program Smart Tan has ever created, the "D-Angel" certification program is an emotionally charged multi-media presentation that makes your blood boil — empowering indoor tanning employees to become your most effective tanning ambassadors and to use the power of social networking to change your community's perceptions about UV exposure and tanning. And we've updated the course with even more powerful material for 2011. This class teaches you how the vitamin D message has vindicated Smart Tanning and why it's important for your employees to share what they know with their friends and your community. Most importantly, the course gives your staff simple tools and the desire to spread the good word about UV light, turning the tanning community's 160,000 employees into the most effective "army" delivering our core message: that UV exposure is natural and intended, and that indoor tanning is part of the solution – not part of the problem. Those who complete the class receive weekly updates from the D-Angel staff that are easily forwarded to friends via social networks so their memory of the message stays alive all year. There is a separate fee for this bonus course.

I've been peeved at pink for a long time now, particularly since becoming aware the indoor tanning industry is cosying up..

https://smarttan.com/store/-p-192.html?osCsid=fbyeozrpmesp

another pink campaign…

http://d-featbreastcancer.com/index.htm

Canadian salon – tanning minutes = BC donation

http://www.fabutan.com/about-fabutan/press-releases/20091123-ray-of-hope.aspx

On Jan 20, Smart Tan's Vice President states here https://smarttan.com/blog/index.php/category/headlines/page/10/ that "sunshine is the only source of vitamin D"

The VitD sales pitch is outlined below  (Don't get me wrong, I am interested in VitD – I just don't want to get it from a tanning bed!)

https://smarttan.com/conference/detail.php

TECHNICAL
2011: The Year of Sunlight, Vitamin D and Beyond
Dr. Marc Sorenson, The Sunlight Institute
Saturday, 10:00 – 10:50

The perception of sunlight as essential to human life is changing, driven by a storm of consistent pro-sun, pro-vitamin D research that is making it impossible (outside of dermatology and chemical sunscreen pharmaceutical circles) to ignore the fact that humans need regular sun exposure to function properly. Independent sunlight advocate Dr. Marc Sorenson, author of "Vitamin D3 and Solar Power for Optimal Health" founded The Sunlight Institute in 2010 because sunshine is free, no one sells it and it has no marketing team. Yet the benefits of regular sun exposure – highlighted by, but not limited to, vitamin D production – are still among the most underappreciated of all preventive health measures available today. Sorenson, a published health education expert and founder of one of the nation's most successful fitness institutes in Utah, has made being a champion of sun exposure one of his primary missions. He's joined by Smart Tan's Joseph Levy review why research in the past year has painted a sunnier picture for UV and what role indoor tanning facilities can play in being part of the pro-sun movement.

SUNDAY, OCT. 24

New 2011 'D-Angel' Vitamin D Action Empowerment Certification Training
Joseph Levy International Smart Tan Network
Sunday, 9:00 – 11:00 am

Widely regarded in 2010 as the most powerful grassroots market growth and employee empowerment program Smart Tan has ever created, the "D-Angel" certification program is an emotionally charged multi-media presentation that makes your blood boil — empowering indoor tanning employees to become your most effective tanning ambassadors and to use the power of social networking to change your community's perceptions about UV exposure and tanning. And we've updated the course with even more powerful material for 2011. This class teaches you how the vitamin D message has vindicated Smart Tanning and why it's important for your employees to share what they know with their friends and your community. Most importantly, the course gives your staff simple tools and the desire to spread the good word about UV light, turning the tanning community's 160,000 employees into the most effective "army" delivering our core message: that UV exposure is natural and intended, and that indoor tanning is part of the solution – not part of the problem. Those who complete the class receive weekly updates from the D-Angel staff that are easily forwarded to friends via social networks so their memory of the message stays alive all year. There is a separate fee for this bonus course.

Rich,

I have to tell you that I love your blog and how you've kept it light! I read it last week in the wee hours of the night.  I've had pink fatigue since the beginning. My melanoma originated and recurred on the breast.  You have no idea of what it's been like explaining that one to the pink world…….   I sat in the derms office as he's excising this huge lump that had come up over night. I'm silently praying that it's breast cancer and not melanoma. That's saying a lot since in 06 my mom had just passed 6 years earlier from…… you got it, breast cancer.

So here I am now having issues with my other breast and have had to go through rounds of tests. They think it's benign but aren't sure. I had lymph nodes removed a few months ago and I could be having a partially blocked lymphatic path. BUT, there I was in a radiology center and everything around me was pink and all the radiologist wanted to talk about was possible breast cancer.  Yes, I was wearing a pink gown. Not saying he shouldn't have had this discussion with me but here I am a stage IV mel patient with multiple recurrances and he's not even thinking of a recurrance…. hmmmmm  What's interesting is he is sending me to my dermatologist to have some punch biopsies of the "pink' areas but his suspicions are possible inflammatory breast cancer. 

The only pink I have bought in many years is for my precious granddaughter. Little girls should wear pink!

Linda

stage IV since 06

Rich,

I have to tell you that I love your blog and how you've kept it light! I read it last week in the wee hours of the night.  I've had pink fatigue since the beginning. My melanoma originated and recurred on the breast.  You have no idea of what it's been like explaining that one to the pink world…….   I sat in the derms office as he's excising this huge lump that had come up over night. I'm silently praying that it's breast cancer and not melanoma. That's saying a lot since in 06 my mom had just passed 6 years earlier from…… you got it, breast cancer.

So here I am now having issues with my other breast and have had to go through rounds of tests. They think it's benign but aren't sure. I had lymph nodes removed a few months ago and I could be having a partially blocked lymphatic path. BUT, there I was in a radiology center and everything around me was pink and all the radiologist wanted to talk about was possible breast cancer.  Yes, I was wearing a pink gown. Not saying he shouldn't have had this discussion with me but here I am a stage IV mel patient with multiple recurrances and he's not even thinking of a recurrance…. hmmmmm  What's interesting is he is sending me to my dermatologist to have some punch biopsies of the "pink' areas but his suspicions are possible inflammatory breast cancer. 

The only pink I have bought in many years is for my precious granddaughter. Little girls should wear pink!

Linda

stage IV since 06

I LOVE your blog – especially Hotel Melanoma – ha!

I had a similar experience to someone who posted above.  It was actually a lump in my breast that took me to a doctor to see what was going on.  My very thin stage 1A "lucky you caught it so early" melanoma had been six years before and I never thought it would return.  I believed the doctors who did not say it's unlikely to return but told me it WOULD not return, ah well.  Anyway, when these new doctors found enlarged nodes on the same side as the breast lump I asked them if they thought it might be breast cancer.  They said we hope it is breast cancer.  I was just shocked at this and asked what they meant.  They said "it would be so much better than if it was the melanoma back again because we have a lot more treatments for breast cancer".  That sure put things in perspective for me.  Anyway, the breast lump turned out to be nothing but the lymphnodes were melanoma.

When I went for a second opinion that doctor told me there aren't enough clinical trials for melanoma because everything was going for breast cancer – very frustrating, and on top of that, you dare not say anything about this or you'll be seen as a terrible person.  This is the only place I feel I can vent on this politically touchy subject.  I used to be quite fond of the color pink but these days I won't buy anything pink for any reason.  Ah well….

DebbieH, stage IIIC, NED 9 1/2 years after interferon and no scans

I LOVE your blog – especially Hotel Melanoma – ha!

I had a similar experience to someone who posted above.  It was actually a lump in my breast that took me to a doctor to see what was going on.  My very thin stage 1A "lucky you caught it so early" melanoma had been six years before and I never thought it would return.  I believed the doctors who did not say it's unlikely to return but told me it WOULD not return, ah well.  Anyway, when these new doctors found enlarged nodes on the same side as the breast lump I asked them if they thought it might be breast cancer.  They said we hope it is breast cancer.  I was just shocked at this and asked what they meant.  They said "it would be so much better than if it was the melanoma back again because we have a lot more treatments for breast cancer".  That sure put things in perspective for me.  Anyway, the breast lump turned out to be nothing but the lymphnodes were melanoma.

When I went for a second opinion that doctor told me there aren't enough clinical trials for melanoma because everything was going for breast cancer – very frustrating, and on top of that, you dare not say anything about this or you'll be seen as a terrible person.  This is the only place I feel I can vent on this politically touchy subject.  I used to be quite fond of the color pink but these days I won't buy anything pink for any reason.  Ah well….

DebbieH, stage IIIC, NED 9 1/2 years after interferon and no scans

I guess I am sort of having black fatigue…sick of melanoma…with everything and everyone it touches…

I am all about cure…melanoma, for breast cancer, lung cancer and even HIV/AIDS. It is interesting that much of the science to treat melanoma came out of HIV/AIDS research and how not long ago people thought it wasn't worth the money for those "evil homosexuals"…

You are correct tho-there is more pink ribbons on products and services then any other colored ribbon…I want to change the color from black as does many of my friends who have melanoma…when you see a black ribbon you just sort of attach death and dying to it…..=;o)  Lynn

I guess I am sort of having black fatigue…sick of melanoma…with everything and everyone it touches…

I am all about cure…melanoma, for breast cancer, lung cancer and even HIV/AIDS. It is interesting that much of the science to treat melanoma came out of HIV/AIDS research and how not long ago people thought it wasn't worth the money for those "evil homosexuals"…

You are correct tho-there is more pink ribbons on products and services then any other colored ribbon…I want to change the color from black as does many of my friends who have melanoma…when you see a black ribbon you just sort of attach death and dying to it…..=;o)  Lynn

Loved the "Hotel Melanoma" lyrics, well done.  

Discriminating against people with cancer based on color is racist.

Loved the "Hotel Melanoma" lyrics, well done.  

Discriminating against people with cancer based on color is racist.

I so enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on this.  Mad me mad at times, made me laugh at other times.  But it shows what a great group of fighters we have hear.  Keep it up.  Too bad we are scattered all over the globe, but thank god we have the internet now.

I so enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on this.  Mad me mad at times, made me laugh at other times.  But it shows what a great group of fighters we have hear.  Keep it up.  Too bad we are scattered all over the globe, but thank god we have the internet now.

LOVED your blog entry.  And absolutely love the expression "awareness unfairness"!!!  I'll have to try to remember it – if the chemo brain allows me to, that is. 😉

This is a topic near & dear to my heart ever since my melanoma recurred.  After they biopsied my lymph node, I too heard the words "it would have been better if it had been breast cancer".  Hearing it was melanoma took my breath away.  (I had researched possible diagnoses, and melanoma was dead LAST on my list – after "I DON'T KNOW" and several blank lines!  It had been 17 years since my initial incidence of melanoma, I wasn't expecting it to recur.)

Anyway, so TOTALLY over the pink thing.  I used to love wearing pink – for the most part, I've replaced it with any color OTHER than pink.  Just on general principle.  (Especially when visiting the cancer center.)

I'd be delighted to see the remaining forms of cancer get even a FRACTION of the attention and sponsorship that breast cancer does.  Unfortunately, a "Save the boobies" campaign is a lot more catchy and immediate than discussing the long term effects of sun exposure.  You would like to think sunscreen manufacturers would be willing to support melanoma awareness.  In fact, any manufacturer that provides some sort of suncreening technology (umbrellas, hats, clothing, etc) would seem to be a logical supporter.

I've always wanted to see our own version of the pink ribbon campaign.  Only replace the ribbon so we don't EVER accidentally risk their wrath.  (How about a black umbrella or black hat – or some other random symbol?)    Find our own corporate sponsors, etc. 

I believe our awareness month is May – opportunities to raise public awareness/educate people about melanoma:  beautiful spring weather throughout much of the country for outdoor events (with proper sun protection, of course!), automotive racing (NASCAR, Indy500), baseball, school is still in session (educate the kids before they head out for the summer).

LOVED your blog entry.  And absolutely love the expression "awareness unfairness"!!!  I'll have to try to remember it – if the chemo brain allows me to, that is. 😉

This is a topic near & dear to my heart ever since my melanoma recurred.  After they biopsied my lymph node, I too heard the words "it would have been better if it had been breast cancer".  Hearing it was melanoma took my breath away.  (I had researched possible diagnoses, and melanoma was dead LAST on my list – after "I DON'T KNOW" and several blank lines!  It had been 17 years since my initial incidence of melanoma, I wasn't expecting it to recur.)

Anyway, so TOTALLY over the pink thing.  I used to love wearing pink – for the most part, I've replaced it with any color OTHER than pink.  Just on general principle.  (Especially when visiting the cancer center.)

I'd be delighted to see the remaining forms of cancer get even a FRACTION of the attention and sponsorship that breast cancer does.  Unfortunately, a "Save the boobies" campaign is a lot more catchy and immediate than discussing the long term effects of sun exposure.  You would like to think sunscreen manufacturers would be willing to support melanoma awareness.  In fact, any manufacturer that provides some sort of suncreening technology (umbrellas, hats, clothing, etc) would seem to be a logical supporter.

I've always wanted to see our own version of the pink ribbon campaign.  Only replace the ribbon so we don't EVER accidentally risk their wrath.  (How about a black umbrella or black hat – or some other random symbol?)    Find our own corporate sponsors, etc. 

I believe our awareness month is May – opportunities to raise public awareness/educate people about melanoma:  beautiful spring weather throughout much of the country for outdoor events (with proper sun protection, of course!), automotive racing (NASCAR, Indy500), baseball, school is still in session (educate the kids before they head out for the summer).

I have had breast cancer, in 2008 and yes everyone was pink this and pink that. i am so sick of  pink. Not that im saying i dont care about breast cancer patients. Cancer is cancer no matter who has it. But i would love to be able to by a mel shirt or bracelet to be able to let people see what exactly it really is. Most people i meet ask to see it. Well its kinda hard to show metastatic melanoma. Peoople should know the damage that tanning beds can do. Even laying out in the sun is harmful, but people get melanoma where the sun dont shine also. well thats just all my opinions about it that i can think of right now anyway. stage IV metastatic melanoma currently on interleukin2….Carol Bellinger

I have had breast cancer, in 2008 and yes everyone was pink this and pink that. i am so sick of  pink. Not that im saying i dont care about breast cancer patients. Cancer is cancer no matter who has it. But i would love to be able to by a mel shirt or bracelet to be able to let people see what exactly it really is. Most people i meet ask to see it. Well its kinda hard to show metastatic melanoma. Peoople should know the damage that tanning beds can do. Even laying out in the sun is harmful, but people get melanoma where the sun dont shine also. well thats just all my opinions about it that i can think of right now anyway. stage IV metastatic melanoma currently on interleukin2….Carol Bellinger

Thanks for making my day! I now have your blog page in my favorites. Love the dog.

Cynthia C  IIIb, NED 10 years, Castle Rock

Thanks for making my day! I now have your blog page in my favorites. Love the dog.

Cynthia C  IIIb, NED 10 years, Castle Rock

Pink Fatigue?  You mean all those Susan Komen things that are in your face at every store you walk into and on numerous TV commericals?  Yes I suffer from Pink fatigue, and that's not to diminish the importance of breast cancer awarness as my mother is a breast cancer survivor…..but I sometimes feel really slighted that Melanoma the fastest growing cancer in the world is not given any type of awarness or probably super serious research funding like breast cancer. 

Melanoma is a seriously nasty disease and the treatments are just as nasty, we need research money just like Breast Cancer to come up with early detection and other means of fighting the disease.  And the Public needs awarness….maybe with a slogan that says:

"It's not just skin cancer its your life!" and do a commercial with melanoma patients and survivors lots of them and make it international.   They could be placed so they make the shape of a globe and wear different colored shirts to depict the countries in the world with the people.  I don't know does any one get this?   So the public gets the picture is isn't some benign skin thing that no one will every get and there by  not to worry about cancer.

But funding that is critical.

Thats all,

C

Pink Fatigue?  You mean all those Susan Komen things that are in your face at every store you walk into and on numerous TV commericals?  Yes I suffer from Pink fatigue, and that's not to diminish the importance of breast cancer awarness as my mother is a breast cancer survivor…..but I sometimes feel really slighted that Melanoma the fastest growing cancer in the world is not given any type of awarness or probably super serious research funding like breast cancer. 

Melanoma is a seriously nasty disease and the treatments are just as nasty, we need research money just like Breast Cancer to come up with early detection and other means of fighting the disease.  And the Public needs awarness….maybe with a slogan that says:

"It's not just skin cancer its your life!" and do a commercial with melanoma patients and survivors lots of them and make it international.   They could be placed so they make the shape of a globe and wear different colored shirts to depict the countries in the world with the people.  I don't know does any one get this?   So the public gets the picture is isn't some benign skin thing that no one will every get and there by  not to worry about cancer.

But funding that is critical.

Thats all,

C

I also dislike that they have a fun bubbly colored ribbon and we have a stinkin black one. I understand our guys wouldn’t be so thrilled about pink, but why not baby blue or something? I agree that black ribbons make you think of death, or a big black nasty mole. We need a more HOPEFUL color!

I also dislike that they have a fun bubbly colored ribbon and we have a stinkin black one. I understand our guys wouldn’t be so thrilled about pink, but why not baby blue or something? I agree that black ribbons make you think of death, or a big black nasty mole. We need a more HOPEFUL color!

Face it folks, melanoma will never win the Cancer Olympics. Melanoma literally means "black tumor." Not good PR. Breast cancer, on the other hand, involves an organ with quite a reputation. No wonder the "pink" campaign is so popular. Life isn't fair. Let's move on.

Face it folks, melanoma will never win the Cancer Olympics. Melanoma literally means "black tumor." Not good PR. Breast cancer, on the other hand, involves an organ with quite a reputation. No wonder the "pink" campaign is so popular. Life isn't fair. Let's move on.

Ha!, I only WISH it could be breast cancer….! and i am BRCA so you know I AM INFORMED….at least with breast cancer they can put you on tamoxophen…

Ha!, I only WISH it could be breast cancer….! and i am BRCA so you know I AM INFORMED….at least with breast cancer they can put you on tamoxophen…

Yes everyone who doesn't have breast cancer and some other type of cancer has "Pink Fatigue".  But then not every breast cancer patient is related to a multi-millionaire who lives on Palm Beach and has created this probably in the billions of dollars foundation.  I really wonder how much of the money goes to research and how much goes to advertising and administration costs.

Relatives with Breast Cancer, but Anti Pink explotation.

Yes everyone who doesn't have breast cancer and some other type of cancer has "Pink Fatigue".  But then not every breast cancer patient is related to a multi-millionaire who lives on Palm Beach and has created this probably in the billions of dollars foundation.  I really wonder how much of the money goes to research and how much goes to advertising and administration costs.

Relatives with Breast Cancer, but Anti Pink explotation.

[email protected]
Hi Dear
How are you today, I hope all is well. My name is  miss sonia, I am very good looking perfect body figure Girl kind,sincere and trusted, God fearing.And,I saw your advert was delighted to contact you, I hope you will be the true loving, honest and caring Man that I have been looking for, And I have something special to tell you about me, So please contact me directly through my private email address at : ([email protected]) so that I can also send my picture directly to you. Remember that love has,no colour barrier, religious,nationality or distance barrier, but love matters most,my happiness,my joy all is in your hands,please don't let me down ok. I will never stop loving you, regards i kiss you, I will be waiting for your response
([email protected])

[email protected]
Hi Dear
How are you today, I hope all is well. My name is  miss sonia, I am very good looking perfect body figure Girl kind,sincere and trusted, God fearing.And,I saw your advert was delighted to contact you, I hope you will be the true loving, honest and caring Man that I have been looking for, And I have something special to tell you about me, So please contact me directly through my private email address at : ([email protected]) so that I can also send my picture directly to you. Remember that love has,no colour barrier, religious,nationality or distance barrier, but love matters most,my happiness,my joy all is in your hands,please don't let me down ok. I will never stop loving you, regards i kiss you, I will be waiting for your response
([email protected])