Man On Fire: The Vampire In Me

   As part of this ongoing Efudex treatment I am currently in the middle of, one of the things my dermatologist has told me is that I should avoid direct sunlight.
   I guess this sort of makes sense, when you're talking about an area of skin which is slowly being stripped of its protective covering then keeping it out of the sun seems like a really good idea.

   What I have found is that it's a little tricky avoiding direct sunlight. Almost impossible, actually, short of carrying around a Hallowe'en mask or some frilly little parasol. What I do know is that you are definitely very aware of whether you're in the sun or not when you've been on Efudex for a few days. As I mentioned in a previous post, the sensation is almost exactly the same as a bad sunburn and we all know how it feels walking around in the sun when you already have a nasty burn.

A vampire fries---not for ME, thanks!

   So now I am even more conscious of the sun than I was before. I am vampire-conscious of the sun, in fact! I have seen way too many B-movies where the lords of the undead either melted in the sun, sizzled in the sun or simply exploded in the sun as they found themselves trapped beneath its solar rays. Not for me!
   I do now find myself thinking back to how I ended up in this uncomfortable situation. I believe the biggest part of my mistake was thinking that a ball cap was protecting my entire head from the harmful effects of the sun. I am quite religious about carrying head protection around with me (just in case) and I wear a cap even if I'm just walking down to the corner.
   The problem, however, is that a ball cap will cover the top of your head nicely and keep the sun out of your eyes but that's about it.
   Over the years, in retrospect, I think my weekly game of golf has been the biggest culprit. I can't tell you how many times I would get back from an hour and a half of golfing with a bit of a ruddy glow on my cheeks and chest, where my shirt falls open. I never considered myself having been burned by the sun but the cumulative effect now has me where I am.
   Stupid me! It's not like I didn't know the sun was dangerous! But I have still gone out and done an inadequate job of protecting myself and this must change.


Hmm...this Tilley cap seems to be shading
not only ME but part of the boat as well!

   I will be getting a new hat, and wearing it for any protracted stays out in the sunshine. No more golfing with just a ball cap on! The new hat will have a broader rim which will go all the way around, something like the one to the right. No more of the standard (and way cooler) golfing ball cap, pictured below.


Shades my eyes---not my face!

   More sunscreen than I normally apply will be the order of the day, as well. And not just the head and face will get it!
   Obviously, this has all been a bit of a wake-up call for me and I'm hoping that it will resonate a little with anyone reading or hearing about it. I can't say that I am particularly worried about it right at the moment but that's not to say that it isn't worrisome!