Melanoma has been in the news heavily recently. I had three spots zapped last week. Can finally shave near the left jawbone now after one of them has settled down a bit.
Just a reminder for all to consider making a booking, as at our (respective) ages, it is a critical medical visit I think.
These things are dangerous and of course so very common in our environment. It is surprising the stats on the number of young people who believe they are immune. I guess at the same age we had similar attitudes.
Watched a movie till late last night. "Outback". Two U.S. tourists redirected their holiday from Sydney going north up the coast to Uluru (Ayers Rock in the movie). They relied on their GPS and got lost, the bloke was too gung ho about the qualities of his GPS to listen to common sense. It was a true story and is in some ways a documentary on what NOT TO DO in the Aussie Outback. I couldn't leave it alone as I had to catch the ending, so a bit jaded this morning.
A creature of habit I guess, but after living in Sydney for a few years, if I have a complex route to take, I have always sat down and mapped out the primary points on a piece of A4 paper or the like. Now I just plot my course on a laptop in Google Maps and if there are a few tricky turns I make notes and plot the trip using my "cheat sheet".
The one thing I did pick up in the movie last night was the two of them not owning a hat. I don't walk out the door without one!!!! The two Septic Tanks in the film last night got nicely crisped in the outback for six days. Also broke two rules, wander a distance from the vehicle and sufficient water.
Pays to keep on top of it. With modern medical science and treatments being evolved constantly, it is important to take advantage of our brilliant heath system. As I commented on here last week, I am perplexed that some sections of our society go on with a spoiled kid mentality when in fact they should bend down and kiss the very country we walk on every day (like the Windies fast bowler did yesterday, good on him, he appreciates coming from a poor, tough social background to what modern society can bring and offer to a battler like him). Unlike the pack of whingers we have to tolerate.
My late dad had a major battle with melanoma, he was in New Guinea WWII and in some photos he was nearly as dark from the tropical sunshine as the fuzzy wuzzy latrine diggers. He also played a lot of cricket and tennis in those little tennis visors of the time. He lost a NSW hardcourt title final once to Adrian Quist who went on to win Wimbeldon. So, after watching him go through the struggles in the late 90's with this dastardly condition, as a result, I have learned, and as a result never go outside without a cap or wide brimmed hat.
I am soon off to the South Coast of NSW for a spot of fishing and relaxation by the water with a good book and an esky full of Zero beers that one of the many varieties of Leukaemia does not allow one to drink the full strength any more. Will also be out in the kayak checking my crab pots and leisurely drifting around chasing the elusive flathead, usually all covered up and a towel on the legs and feet covered with "creek shoes" on. Hey, a relative told me flathead was $74.99 a kilo at the Christmas fish markets. I usually kiss and return Murray Cod and recently returned a very big flattie (they are the breeders), but at that cost, any unlucky enough to get on my line may well end up on the pull-out barbie in the new ute canopy !!!!!
