SWARTHOS

The sun, that big inferno in the sky, has left its mark on me. A mark that goes by the name of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. I never saw it coming, not in a million years. I thought the freckles and the occasional sunburn were just part of the deal when it comes to living in a place where the sun shines as if it’s got something to prove.

But, as it turns out, the sun has a cruel sense of humor. And so does my body, apparently. I went to the doc for what appeared to be a rash of some concern, a red patch of skin on my forehead that seemed to be getting bigger and more inflamed by the day. The Egyptian, a beautiful woman, my doc, said “That looks bad!” and told me to get my ass to a dermatologist, a mysterious man from Africa.

I wasn’t too concerned, to be honest. I mean, it’s just a rash, right? But the dermatologist, he wasn’t so sure. He took one look at my forehead and said “We need to biopsy this.” I didn’t know what that meant, but it sounded serious. And it was. A needle injection to the forehead, a sample sent to the lab, and a wait for the results. When they came back, it was cancer. Squamous Cell Carcinoma, to be exact.

I was stunned. I didn’t know what to say, or think, or feel. All I could do was stare at the dermatologist, waiting for him to tell me it was all just a big mistake. But he didn’t. Instead, he told me I needed to have the cancerous lesion cut out of my skin as soon as possible. The date was set for September 16th, and I was left to wait, and wonder, and worry.

But I’m a firm believer in Jesus Christ, and I turn to Him in all matters. So, I’ve been praying. A lot. I’ve also been doing what I can to combat the spread of this disease. The good Lord has provided me with a bottle of Vitamin C skin oil, and I’ve been applying it to the infected area, hoping and praying that it will help.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the sun lately. About how it’s both a blessing and a curse. It gives us light and warmth, but it can also cause damage, and even death. I never thought I would be one of the unlucky ones, but here I am, facing down the barrel of a cancer diagnosis.

I’ve been doing my research, trying to learn as much as I can about this disease. And what I’ve found is both fascinating and terrifying. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer, but it can be deadly if it’s not caught and treated early. It’s caused by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays damaging the cells in the skin. And while it’s more common in people with fair skin, anyone can get it.

I’ve also been thinking about the sunscreen I used to wear. Or rather, the sunscreen I didn’t wear. I was one of those people who thought that a base tan would protect me from the sun’s harmful rays. But I was wrong. Dead wrong. And now I’m paying the price.

But I’m not alone. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. And while most forms of skin cancer are highly treatable if caught early, melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, can be fatal.

I’m lucky. I caught my cancer early. I’m lucky to have access to excellent medical care. And I’m lucky to have a loving family and a supportive community. But I’m also angry. Angry that I let this happen. Angry that I didn’t take better care of myself. And angry that the sun, that big inferno in the sky, could be so cruel.

But I’m not giving up. I’m fighting this thing with everything I’ve got. I’m praying, and I’m taking my Vitamin C skin oil, and I’m following my dermatologist’s orders. I’m also spreading the word, trying to raise awareness about the dangers of the sun and the importance of protecting yourself.

So, I’m asking you, dear reader, to do the same. Wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. Seek shade when the sun’s rays are strongest. And get regular skin checks from a dermatologist. Because the sun, that big inferno in the sky, may be beautiful, but it’s also dangerous. And it’s up to us to protect ourselves.

I may have Squamous Cell Carcinoma, but I’m not going to let it define me. I’m still the same person I was before I got the diagnosis. I’m still a writer, a husband, and a friend. I’m still a believer in Jesus Christ, and I still have faith that everything will be according to the will of God.

So, as I wait for September 16th, I’ll keep praying, and I’ll keep applying my Vitamin C skin oil. And I’ll keep writing, because that’s what I do.