Sylvia McGrath's Blog
Posted by Sylvia McGrath
When I first came to live in Canada, I had come from Scotland where the summers were usually cool and damp. I took advantage of the sun with a vengeance. I would sit out and sunbathe for hours at a time whenever I could and I am afraid I did not use a sunscreen to protect my skin. In fact it was all the rage then to apply oil so that you literally cooked your skin. Having red hair and fair skin, I would therefore often have bad sunburns.
I often spent summers that followed, going through the same pattern until years later during a yearly physical check-up my doctor noticed an unusual mark on my knee so she sent me to see a skin specialist. It turned out the mark was nothing however, another mole was checked and it was found to be a malignant melanoma. I was lucky when they removed the mole they also removed the cancer.
After that scare I stopped sitting in the sun and going out without the protection of a sun screen. I always asked the doctor to inspect the moles at the time of my check-up. Everything has been fine now for about twenty year; that was until this April, when my doctor noticed a mole that had changed. So off I went to the specialist. Of course after the last time I thought the worst. Thankfully the biopsy was clear and after having the rest of my skin checked everything was alright...
I always found it a little confusing to know the correct SPF sunscreen to use. For anyone like me that needs a quick chart, the following is a guide set out by dermatologists.
Wear SPF 15, is for limited exposure and skin that rarely burn
Wear SPF 30, is for skin that burns easily and if moderate time is spent on outdoor activities.
Wear SPF 45, is for sensitive skin that burns easily or when extended periods are spent outdoors.
Wear SPF 60, isfor re-active skin that burns easily, for women that are pregnant and people on acne medication.
I shall continue to take care when out in the sun and ensure my loved ones do the same and try to show by example.
Posted by Sylvia McGrath
In North America one person in sixty-two will be diagnosed with melanoma. The increased incidence of melanoma is due to unprotected exposure to the sun.
Sunlight contains ultraviolet rays, UVB and UVC. The UVC rays are usually blocked by the ozone and never reach earth, but the UVB and UVA rays do penetrate the ozone layer and when we are out in the sunlight without sun protection it can do irreversible damage to the skin.
UVB rays make-up five percent of the UV radiation that reaches the earth and mainly responsible for tanning and sunburns.
UVA easy make-up ninety-five per cent of the UV radiation that reaches earth they are more dangerous than they seem since they accelerate aging as the effects are quite visible in long term exposure.
Infrequent exposure to UVA and UVB rays can also cause irreversible damage to our skin. We also need protection while in the shade as UVA rays can reach us there and also behind glass. After sunbathing or sitting in the car for a while it is a good idea to cover-up, for example with a long sleeved shirt.
The sunscreen should be applied generously and on all exposed skin. Apply regularly during the day especially when in and out of the water.
Apply sunscreen and protection to the following exposed areas.
Hair line, hair parting, ears, eye contour, neck, collar bone, back and front of arms, elbows, back of hands, feet, legs, behind knee, protect head with a hat and most important protect eyes with sunglasses.
Cover-up, protect your skin and have a great fun filled safe summer…
Posted by Sylvia McGrath
Since a lot of time can be wasted and the wrong information researched it is important that as much information is obtained from the family doctor about the patient’s specific disease when diagnosed. It is also a good idea to write down any questions for the doctor before an appointment. Since doctors' appointments can be very stressful at the best of times, one can easily get very confused or forget relevant information especially when the doctor may give a lot of information at one appointment. Consider taking a tape recorder with you, so that the full information can be caught and played back at your own convenience.
About a year and a half ago I met a single Mum who had a teenage daughter who was diagnosed with leukemia. Both the Mom and teenage daughter have done a lot of research on the internet, libraries and their local Cancer Society. It was a hard couple of years for the whole family but I was amazed how positive they were about the diagnosis and took each setback in their stride. With all their problems they are a caring family who really do care what is going on in others' lives. The daughter also looked into alternative medicines, and even tried some for herself. Her illness did go into remission for quite a while. She does have the odd few days where she does have recurring problems, but they think positive about the future. A positive outlook really is important with any chronic illness. The more one understands one's illnesses, the treatments and medications available, the easier it is to cope during the rough times.
Posted by Sylvia McGrath
Over the past thirty years the survival rate for ALL Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia has improved considerably. However, that is not comforting when you or your love-ones have been diagnosed with leukemia. Although treatment for leukemia is very successful it can be a long road to travel. It can take from two to three and a half years; the first three to six months the patient must be watched and checked constantly, but during the maintenance stage children can go back to school and live a relatively normal life.
The following are a few coping tricks for parents.
Get to know the health team at the Pediatric Cancer Centers. The team consists of Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Recreation Therapists, Childcare Workers, Teachers, Dietitians, Chaplains and Social Workers. They are there for you to rely on every inch of the long road whether it is explaining procedures to children without scarring them, financial assistance, housing arrangements for parents during their child’s treatments.
Major medical centers and not-for-profit groups provide many different activities and services just for children with cancer and their families. Some include support groups for siblings, summer camps and wish granting programs.
Assists family and friends in understanding your situation and what you are going through. www.caringbridge.org is a free personalized web page (not-for-profit) site. It assists by easing the stress of calling everyone whenever there is something new to report. On this site one can list appointments, treatments, health setbacks and the celebrations. It also allows others to send notes of encouragement even if they are out of town or the country.
Posted by Sylvia McGrath
Legionnaire’s disease is usually caused by inhaling bacteria now called Legionella which flourishes in a damp moist environment such as large air conditioning systems, showers and whirlpool spas etc.
At the present time it is not known why only a few people become affected by this disease. It is believed that people who are more vulnerable are those who have a weakened immune system due to age, illness or smokers.
This disease usually develops between two to fourteen days after exposure to the Legionella bacterium. The symptoms are very similar to the flu and include headaches, muscle pain, chills, high fevers, a cough, shortness of breath chest pains fatigue and loss of appetite due to gastrointestinal symptoms. Legionnaires disease is usually treated with antibiotics; the earlier the treatment the less chances of serious complications or even death.
