In The Sun

[tmberwoof]

So how bad is stay out of the sun treatment. I like Being outside, whether its for walks with my dog or what ever. I live in Arizona and like to go 4wheeling in the mountains, go rock hounding or just wander about. Am I going to have to severely limit those activities and stay inside only? Does long sleeve shirts and "safari" hats ()wide brimmed) help any? and is this just thru treatment or would this be a "forever thing"? there are so many questions and so little time.

Yes these could probably be answered by my onc but would like to9 hear from you who have true experience with such things.

Tmberwoof

[NHMike]

I went to the beach yesterday and it was sunny.

I wore long sleeve dress shirt, mirrored sunglasses, long pants, socks, running shorts, light vest and a baseball cap. I did this before cancer as well and my wife generally covers up though in loose, flowing clothes. Too many stories of skin cancer when I was growing up.

[JudiB]

Hi NHNike,
I just put on lots of factor 50 sunscreen and try not to sit out in the sun too long but we have a little farm and the animals still need attention! We too love to walk and spend time outdoors and at the start if chemo, I wore hats, jackets etc but it soon got too hot so good sunscreen it is!! Covering up as best you can makes sense even without the chemo stuff and there are some great sunscreens that rub right in!
I hope you have lots of happy...sun-safe days in the wild! Doing the things we love is even more important now ... good for the morale so enjoy your time outdoors. .sure it will do you more good than harm!
Hope the chemo is going ok now.
Love across the miles!
Xx

[tmberwoof]

I suppose I should have stated not yet started chemo, just trying to get as much info I can Before I start. Will be on Folfox as soon as my surgeon can schedule an appointment for the port. Not returning my calls, hmmmm..

[Ron50]

Hi tmbrwoof,
Dodging the sun has become a way of life for me. I had 48 weekly sessions of 5fu and I was warned by my onc to avoid the sun and if I must go out layer on the sunscreen and protective clothing. It has not helped living in the tropics and being a mad keen fisherman. Unfortunately for me my cancer and chemo legacy has been a raft of auto immune problems. It has necessitated the use of powerful immuno- suppressants including methotrexate, prednisone ,arava and now cyclosporine. I have to see the skin cancer specialist every six months and am enduring the death of a thousand cuts or at least that is what it seems like. Skin cancer is the same as any cancer , ignore it at your peril. I took all the advised precautions during and since chemo but I have still had more than my share of cut and burn since then. ( This is my twentieth year of survival ex stage 3 c colon cancer)Ron.