Look me in the eye…please.
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Look me in the eye…please.

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Look me in the eye…please.

  • Post
    • February 14, 2013 at 2:09 pm
    Colleen66
    Participant

    I'm down in Florida for a much needed break.  Yesterday, I was walking my two miles on the beach.  I had on a bottle of sunscreen, red shorts and my Melanoma Warrior tank top.  I passed many many people on the beach, almost all with severe tans.  They would glance at my shirt and than away.  Not one person I saw would look me in the eye!   Just the day before that during my walk there were "good mornings", "beautiful day" etc. and tons of smiles and eye contact.

    I'm down in Florida for a much needed break.  Yesterday, I was walking my two miles on the beach.  I had on a bottle of sunscreen, red shorts and my Melanoma Warrior tank top.  I passed many many people on the beach, almost all with severe tans.  They would glance at my shirt and than away.  Not one person I saw would look me in the eye!   Just the day before that during my walk there were "good mornings", "beautiful day" etc. and tons of smiles and eye contact.

    I was really disturbed by this and I don't understand why was treated the two different ways.  Has anyone had this type of experience before?  I had actually hoped someone would approach me and maybe ask questions or something.  Gosh, what was I thinking.

    Colleen 

Viewing 17 reply threads
  • Replies
      • February 14, 2013 at 2:30 pm
      lou2
      Participant

      You scared them.

      • February 14, 2013 at 2:30 pm
      lou2
      Participant

      You scared them.

      • February 14, 2013 at 2:30 pm
      lou2
      Participant

      You scared them.

      • February 14, 2013 at 3:01 pm
      Fen
      Participant

      Do you think smokers would approach you and talk if you had a lung cancer awareness t-shirt on?  Tanners know they're not doing the right thing, but want to avoid thinking about it.   Also – cancer makes people uncomfortable.  They may not have known if you had cancer, had lost someone from melanoma – lots of land mines they could step on if they did talk.    

      • February 14, 2013 at 3:01 pm
      Fen
      Participant

      Do you think smokers would approach you and talk if you had a lung cancer awareness t-shirt on?  Tanners know they're not doing the right thing, but want to avoid thinking about it.   Also – cancer makes people uncomfortable.  They may not have known if you had cancer, had lost someone from melanoma – lots of land mines they could step on if they did talk.    

      • February 14, 2013 at 3:01 pm
      Fen
      Participant

      Do you think smokers would approach you and talk if you had a lung cancer awareness t-shirt on?  Tanners know they're not doing the right thing, but want to avoid thinking about it.   Also – cancer makes people uncomfortable.  They may not have known if you had cancer, had lost someone from melanoma – lots of land mines they could step on if they did talk.    

      • February 14, 2013 at 6:49 pm
      Gene_S
      Participant

      I wish that I was able to meet up with you. We could have had a great discussion. Some reasons that they would not talk to you are… possibly they know that there are more melanoma patients in Ohio than in Florida? Also that there is no scientific proof that the sun causes melanoma!  It is such as shame that you could be getting natural vitamin D from the sun and you chose to use poison chemicals (sunscreen) to bake into your skin.   Just my opinion…   Gene

      • February 14, 2013 at 6:49 pm
      Gene_S
      Participant

      I wish that I was able to meet up with you. We could have had a great discussion. Some reasons that they would not talk to you are… possibly they know that there are more melanoma patients in Ohio than in Florida? Also that there is no scientific proof that the sun causes melanoma!  It is such as shame that you could be getting natural vitamin D from the sun and you chose to use poison chemicals (sunscreen) to bake into your skin.   Just my opinion…   Gene

      • February 14, 2013 at 6:49 pm
      Gene_S
      Participant

      I wish that I was able to meet up with you. We could have had a great discussion. Some reasons that they would not talk to you are… possibly they know that there are more melanoma patients in Ohio than in Florida? Also that there is no scientific proof that the sun causes melanoma!  It is such as shame that you could be getting natural vitamin D from the sun and you chose to use poison chemicals (sunscreen) to bake into your skin.   Just my opinion…   Gene

      • February 18, 2013 at 1:19 am
      Gene_S
      Participant

      Sunscreen Statistics

      Two brothers, working as researchers at the University of California, Drs Cedric and Frank Garland, have said that while there is some evidence that sunscreens can prevent some squamous cell cancers, sunscreens cannot prevent basal cell cancer nor cannot it protect you from melanoma.
       

      The brother have also concluded that there is also increasing evidence that in places where chemical sunscreen use is highly touted, such as in Queensland, Australia, that there is a higher incidence of melanoma, and other skin cancers.
       

      • February 18, 2013 at 1:19 am
      Gene_S
      Participant

      Sunscreen Statistics

      Two brothers, working as researchers at the University of California, Drs Cedric and Frank Garland, have said that while there is some evidence that sunscreens can prevent some squamous cell cancers, sunscreens cannot prevent basal cell cancer nor cannot it protect you from melanoma.
       

      The brother have also concluded that there is also increasing evidence that in places where chemical sunscreen use is highly touted, such as in Queensland, Australia, that there is a higher incidence of melanoma, and other skin cancers.
       

      • February 18, 2013 at 1:19 am
      Gene_S
      Participant

      Sunscreen Statistics

      Two brothers, working as researchers at the University of California, Drs Cedric and Frank Garland, have said that while there is some evidence that sunscreens can prevent some squamous cell cancers, sunscreens cannot prevent basal cell cancer nor cannot it protect you from melanoma.
       

      The brother have also concluded that there is also increasing evidence that in places where chemical sunscreen use is highly touted, such as in Queensland, Australia, that there is a higher incidence of melanoma, and other skin cancers.
       

        • February 18, 2013 at 2:38 am
        POW
        Participant

        Was there a higher incidence of melanoma in Australia compared to other countries before the introduction of sunscreen? I bet there was. 

        • February 18, 2013 at 2:38 am
        POW
        Participant

        Was there a higher incidence of melanoma in Australia compared to other countries before the introduction of sunscreen? I bet there was. 

        • February 18, 2013 at 2:38 am
        POW
        Participant

        Was there a higher incidence of melanoma in Australia compared to other countries before the introduction of sunscreen? I bet there was. 

        • February 18, 2013 at 12:37 pm
        Colleen66
        Participant

        The brothers sunscreen debate aside, I burn quickly in the sun so protection is essential for me.  I also wear light clothing and hats when appropriate.   Until my oncologist tells me that burnt leather skin is preferable to sunscreen to protect my skin then I will continue to spray the toxins on, just as I put the toxins in my body to fight melanoma. 

        If we did meet Gene, I would put a big hat on your head and zinc oxide on your nose.  🙂

        You would be happy to know that I am walking about 4-5 miles on the beach everyday (not at the same time) and I was using a cane in November after a surgery.   Not bad eh?

        Colleen 

        • February 18, 2013 at 12:37 pm
        Colleen66
        Participant

        The brothers sunscreen debate aside, I burn quickly in the sun so protection is essential for me.  I also wear light clothing and hats when appropriate.   Until my oncologist tells me that burnt leather skin is preferable to sunscreen to protect my skin then I will continue to spray the toxins on, just as I put the toxins in my body to fight melanoma. 

        If we did meet Gene, I would put a big hat on your head and zinc oxide on your nose.  🙂

        You would be happy to know that I am walking about 4-5 miles on the beach everyday (not at the same time) and I was using a cane in November after a surgery.   Not bad eh?

        Colleen 

        • February 18, 2013 at 12:37 pm
        Colleen66
        Participant

        The brothers sunscreen debate aside, I burn quickly in the sun so protection is essential for me.  I also wear light clothing and hats when appropriate.   Until my oncologist tells me that burnt leather skin is preferable to sunscreen to protect my skin then I will continue to spray the toxins on, just as I put the toxins in my body to fight melanoma. 

        If we did meet Gene, I would put a big hat on your head and zinc oxide on your nose.  🙂

        You would be happy to know that I am walking about 4-5 miles on the beach everyday (not at the same time) and I was using a cane in November after a surgery.   Not bad eh?

        Colleen 

        • February 18, 2013 at 2:02 pm
        susanr
        Participant

        Colleen,

        First, I agree ith one post….they were scared and and people tend to put blinders on when they something about cancer and sometimes they feel bad or know someone who they may have lost to cancer and it hurts that the shirt reminded them.

        I plan on wearing my shirts the entire month of May for my brother who I lost recently.

        I am the type that if I am in the shade…I still burn.  Yes, sunscreen is not 100%.  I have had basal cell removed from my nose.  Yes, the sun gives Vit D but it also is not good in other ways.  Melanoma is caused by sun damage and genetics.  You do what you have to and so many articles about Vit. D, holistic stuff, curcumin, etc, etc, etc…..I can go on and on…It may work for some but not others. It did nothing for my brother.

        Dealing with melanoma and trying to fight it is like a cat chasing its tail…sometimes you get it and sometimes not.

        Good for you on the walking and keep up with your plan that makes you happy. Keep wearing your shirt !!!!!!!!

        Regards

        Sam.

        • February 18, 2013 at 2:02 pm
        susanr
        Participant

        Colleen,

        First, I agree ith one post….they were scared and and people tend to put blinders on when they something about cancer and sometimes they feel bad or know someone who they may have lost to cancer and it hurts that the shirt reminded them.

        I plan on wearing my shirts the entire month of May for my brother who I lost recently.

        I am the type that if I am in the shade…I still burn.  Yes, sunscreen is not 100%.  I have had basal cell removed from my nose.  Yes, the sun gives Vit D but it also is not good in other ways.  Melanoma is caused by sun damage and genetics.  You do what you have to and so many articles about Vit. D, holistic stuff, curcumin, etc, etc, etc…..I can go on and on…It may work for some but not others. It did nothing for my brother.

        Dealing with melanoma and trying to fight it is like a cat chasing its tail…sometimes you get it and sometimes not.

        Good for you on the walking and keep up with your plan that makes you happy. Keep wearing your shirt !!!!!!!!

        Regards

        Sam.

        • February 18, 2013 at 2:02 pm
        susanr
        Participant

        Colleen,

        First, I agree ith one post….they were scared and and people tend to put blinders on when they something about cancer and sometimes they feel bad or know someone who they may have lost to cancer and it hurts that the shirt reminded them.

        I plan on wearing my shirts the entire month of May for my brother who I lost recently.

        I am the type that if I am in the shade…I still burn.  Yes, sunscreen is not 100%.  I have had basal cell removed from my nose.  Yes, the sun gives Vit D but it also is not good in other ways.  Melanoma is caused by sun damage and genetics.  You do what you have to and so many articles about Vit. D, holistic stuff, curcumin, etc, etc, etc…..I can go on and on…It may work for some but not others. It did nothing for my brother.

        Dealing with melanoma and trying to fight it is like a cat chasing its tail…sometimes you get it and sometimes not.

        Good for you on the walking and keep up with your plan that makes you happy. Keep wearing your shirt !!!!!!!!

        Regards

        Sam.

        • February 18, 2013 at 5:30 pm
        Gene_S
        Participant

        Colleen,

        Thanks for your note. If you are going to use chemicals please see the following web site, see:

        http://www.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/sunscreen-and-skin-cancer/

        The following quote is from the above web site and it makes very good since to me.

        "Since scientist do not have definitive answers about sunscreen and skin cancer, it is no wonder that many experts recommend that people rely on clothing and shade, rather than sunscreen, to protect themselves from sun exposure".

        I firmly believe that I would not put anything on my skin that I wouldn't not put into my mouth.

        As you probably know I feel that all readers of this forum group need to have their Vitamin D-3 levels checked.

        Do you know what your Vitamin D-3 levels are?  A good blood test can be bought at http://www.lef.org

        They have an annual blood test sale coming up shortly if you are interested. The other really key point that all

        cancer patients don't realize is that they need  to drink good water and lot of it. No soda pop and avoid all artificial

        sweeteners.

        If we meet someday, the hat would be gladly accepted, and the spring water would be on me.   😉

        Best wishes,

        Gene

        • February 18, 2013 at 5:30 pm
        Gene_S
        Participant

        Colleen,

        Thanks for your note. If you are going to use chemicals please see the following web site, see:

        http://www.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/sunscreen-and-skin-cancer/

        The following quote is from the above web site and it makes very good since to me.

        "Since scientist do not have definitive answers about sunscreen and skin cancer, it is no wonder that many experts recommend that people rely on clothing and shade, rather than sunscreen, to protect themselves from sun exposure".

        I firmly believe that I would not put anything on my skin that I wouldn't not put into my mouth.

        As you probably know I feel that all readers of this forum group need to have their Vitamin D-3 levels checked.

        Do you know what your Vitamin D-3 levels are?  A good blood test can be bought at http://www.lef.org

        They have an annual blood test sale coming up shortly if you are interested. The other really key point that all

        cancer patients don't realize is that they need  to drink good water and lot of it. No soda pop and avoid all artificial

        sweeteners.

        If we meet someday, the hat would be gladly accepted, and the spring water would be on me.   😉

        Best wishes,

        Gene

        • February 18, 2013 at 5:30 pm
        Gene_S
        Participant

        Colleen,

        Thanks for your note. If you are going to use chemicals please see the following web site, see:

        http://www.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/sunscreen-and-skin-cancer/

        The following quote is from the above web site and it makes very good since to me.

        "Since scientist do not have definitive answers about sunscreen and skin cancer, it is no wonder that many experts recommend that people rely on clothing and shade, rather than sunscreen, to protect themselves from sun exposure".

        I firmly believe that I would not put anything on my skin that I wouldn't not put into my mouth.

        As you probably know I feel that all readers of this forum group need to have their Vitamin D-3 levels checked.

        Do you know what your Vitamin D-3 levels are?  A good blood test can be bought at http://www.lef.org

        They have an annual blood test sale coming up shortly if you are interested. The other really key point that all

        cancer patients don't realize is that they need  to drink good water and lot of it. No soda pop and avoid all artificial

        sweeteners.

        If we meet someday, the hat would be gladly accepted, and the spring water would be on me.   😉

        Best wishes,

        Gene

      • February 18, 2013 at 5:57 pm
      JC
      Participant

      first sugar and now avoid all artifical sweetners?  where is the data, the evidence for this?

      • February 18, 2013 at 5:57 pm
      JC
      Participant

      first sugar and now avoid all artifical sweetners?  where is the data, the evidence for this?

      • February 18, 2013 at 5:57 pm
      JC
      Participant

      first sugar and now avoid all artifical sweetners?  where is the data, the evidence for this?

      • February 19, 2013 at 10:59 am
      JC
      Participant

      and Viagra was first developed as blood pressure medication; things often start out for one thing only to be used for another

       

      also, NutraSweet isn't the only artifical sweetner out there, there are many others and they are all different

      • February 19, 2013 at 10:59 am
      JC
      Participant

      and Viagra was first developed as blood pressure medication; things often start out for one thing only to be used for another

       

      also, NutraSweet isn't the only artifical sweetner out there, there are many others and they are all different

      • February 19, 2013 at 10:59 am
      JC
      Participant

      and Viagra was first developed as blood pressure medication; things often start out for one thing only to be used for another

       

      also, NutraSweet isn't the only artifical sweetner out there, there are many others and they are all different

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