“Those cheeks are plump and red enough to be Santa Claus.”
Nobody made that comment that we heard, but it was probably thought by many who saw us at that recent banquet.
Certainly, a photograph taken of us in a small group revealed even bigger and much redder cheeks than usual, and they’ve always carried plenty of a rouge tone.
It was a justifiable remark, as the day before we’d had a special treatment for what the doctor said were too many skin specs that could develop into cancer if not treated.
When he’d diagnosed that a year ago, recommending a personally-applied ointment, we opted for “spot freezes,” which we’ve had done numerous times over the past decade.
It seemed to work, because when we went for a follow-up, nothing else was prescribed. But this time, there were “no if, ands or buts,” as Doc ordered the procedure that required us out of sunlight for two days.
After application of a salve early in the day, we had to go back for the “blue light therapy,” which we sat under for 15 minutes. Wearing eye protection from the rays, it did seem like quite a long time, but there really wasn’t much pain.
Evidently, others have found it unbearable, or nearly so, to the point of requiring heavy sedation. We had a driver bring us home as we shaded our face with a towel as the doctor recommended.
Such problems are not new to us, as we’ve been cautious about that truly-possible severity for several years. At one point, the “little-hangy-down-part” of our left ear was removed for tumors, with skin grafted, so it’s not apparent today.
Sunrays are the demon, with accumulated exposure increasing brutality, especially if one doesn’t wear a hat, sunglasses and suntan lotion. We’ve generally worn a cap, and never even considered the other two, until problems arose.
Freckle-faced, blue-eyed cowboys with light complexion are more prone. Sunrays through the windshield when driving further intensify. We fit all criteria.
Hat, sunglasses, suntan lotion, tinted windshield and regular check-ups hopefully will keep us ahead of more serious measures.
Reminds us of Second Timothy 2:17: “This wicked cancer will eat the body away.” Thus essential, First Corinthians 5:7: “Remove this evil cancer from you.” Then, Proverbs 22:15: “The cure comes through tough-minded discipline.”
+++ALLELUIA+++