Hi. My name is SPF 55.
Our good friend Christine told me that she met a lady with melanoma yesterday who introduced her little boy as "Joe, SPF 75." It's amazing how this disease changes the way we perceive simple things, like the HARMFUL rays of the sun. Someday I’ll be able to say, “This is Dani, SPF 100.” My baby will NOT be sunburned (if I have anything to do with it). She will NOT get near a tanning bed. EVER. I will do everything I can to make sure she survives (and looks pretty!!). Thank goodness our legislative friends have made it possible for parents to save their kids’ lives by requiring parental consent for fake baking. I thought at one point that previous tanning passes were grandfathered in before the law took effect, but I think I was wrong. Parents: YANK, DESTROY, SNATCH, OBLITERATE, BOGART, OR SWIPE YOUR KIDS’ TANNING PASSES. You’ll probably catch an earful, but you are saving the life of someone who naively deems himself invincible. Do it for Bryce, for me, and for our precious baby girl who could lose her daddy because of SKIN CANCER.
I have had 5 moles removed, none of them entirely benign. They all had atypical architecture, and one was misdiagnosed as melanoma. That misdiagnosis was two months after Dani’s birth, and four months before Bryce’s metastatic cancer was discovered. What kind of horrible, karmic alignment of the stars, moons and planets would take both of Dani’s parents from her, all because of sun exposure? I was an IDIOT in my early 20’s, and I worked at a tanning salon where I used the beds frequently. I looked nice and dark pink, as I don’t actually “tan”. Having naturally dark blonde hair, green eyes and fair skin, I didn’t tan to a golden brown (or orange, as most artificial tans appear). My parents warned me, especially my dad, who is a surgeon and has seen the horrible and deadly effects of the sun firsthand. “Tammy, you KNOW that only ONE sunburn or ONE trip to the tanning salon can give you HIDEOUS WRINKLES.” My youthful, narcissistic, indomitable mind wouldn’t even consider death, but (gasp!) wrinkles—no thanks!! I’m now praying that my misdiagnosis was just that, and that my numerous moles don’t threaten my life. I’m trying to reverse the damage I CAUSED MYSELF that has crinkled the skin around my eyes and speckled and scarred my previously alabaster skin. That relatively drop-in-the-bucket of time when I didn’t care about long-term effects as already reared its ugly head, and I’m only in my early 30’s. Not cool.
Bryce is fair to medium skinned with green eyes and brown hair. He has a lot of moles of various sizes. He burns a little at first then tans beautifully, almost effortlessly. He is like most European Americans. He isn’t a redhead. He isn’t blonde. He isn’t pasty-white. He is very likely YOU. He is being KILLED.
10 Comments So Far!
Hi Bryce and Tammy-
Sorry I haven't commented in a while, but I have been checking your blog everyday (it’s actually my browser’s start page). I also find myself saying little prayers for you many times a day. Since I am not sure how to help or what you need, I figure the little prayers are the least I can do. I want to do more though. So if you think of anything else I can do, please just let me know! You know how to reach me.
I have to admit that I am guilty of using a tanning bed too. Fortunately, the smell of the things was nauseating, as was the yucky film left on them from other users, and the feeling like I was trapped in a human panini machine. I soon abandoned my unlimited tanning for a month “deal”, and hoped that the small handful of times that I had gone tanning was not enough to do any harm. Well, we all know that it only takes one time to do the damage.
I have quite a few moles too. I get them checked out regularly… and even more regularly now that I am married to Carrie. She takes better care of me than I do of myself, and will not let me go more than a year without getting the moles rechecked. I strongly recommend to anyone reading this to be checked out by a dermatologist at least once a year. It is quick and painless, and is well worth it.
I hope you are gettimg some rest. The pictures of the both of you and Dani are great! It's so good to see the smile on your faces. You are the 1%!!!
-Dave
The Saints in Snowflake and Mesa Arizona are now praying for you and Bryce too. We love your family.
Sally
Bryce it was great to see you yesterday! Do you even remember? Ha Ha Ha! I had to check out the blog, I've never looked at a blog before, sad I know. I was so impressed with how great of spirits you were both in when we saw you. It sucks, I know, but you are giving so many people strength that are going through the same thing. I think it's great! There are so many people who love you and are pulling for you! I'll have to keep checking the blog for how you are doing. Good luck today at the Dr! I'll be praying for you! Misty
Bryce, Tammy,
"I said a prayer for you today,I asked for happiness for you In all things great and small. But it was for His loving care I prayed the most of all."
I love this prayer and want you to know that I think of you and have you in all my prayers.
Please know that if Mike and I can do anything for you please do not hesitate to call on us.
I consider you two of the special people that have touched my life. I admirer your strength!
Gods Blessings,
Deborah Bailey
Tammy- ugh. I remember our tanning days, now the thought makes me sick. Pale is the new beautiful. What could possibly be bad about looking 40 when you're 60? Can't think of a thing!
Love you guys, I check in several times a day, and continue to send you everything positive that I have.
Christy
Tammy,
It was really great to see you yesterday! I know the girls were also very happy to see you! You rock my world!!!
Susie
Bryce and Tammi,
I am the sister in-law of Amy Jones. When she told me about your situation I just cried and went home and prayed for you. I have been praying for you sense I found out about Bryce having cancer. I know that you don't know me but our family has been though alot and know what prayers can do to help motivate us and build our faith. I pray for you, Bryce and Dani everyday. I hope you know that there are so many people that don't know you that pray for you. I will always pray for you. Good like KICKING CANCERS BUTT!! We are ALL PULLING for you.
With love
Erin Herrin
Bryce,
Lee just told me about the cancer. I don't know if you know, but we've moved from SLC - we're living in South Africa at the moment. Just in case prayers need "line of sight", I wanted you to know that we're pushing them upwards from this side of globe. You've always been a fighter and a survivor - good luck in this next challenge. We're pulling for you. I'm glad we got to have lunch together before I moved away.
John Graham, of BOB and MFFB fame
Hi Tammy,
Bryce and I were good friends in high school, though I hate to say I haven't seen him in years. He's always been the life of the party! I am so sad to hear of his sickness! But also SO glad to hear that he has such an incredible wife and adorable baby daughter to help get him through this. Please let him know I am thinking of him and your whole family is in my prayers!
Steph Ridges
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Amen, Tammy!!!!!!!!! As we said when we talked, I hope to education as many young people as I can about the dangers of tanning and tanning beds. My 15 year old son will not be allowed to do that to himself. Keep up the good work, we have a long way to go. Hope Bryce is feeling better since he got home. It always make you feel better at home. I picked up the blanket this morning and it will be on the way tomorrow.
Hugs,
Suzan