Well, I dont smoke and I dont chew but...

[Captn]

Well, I don’t smoke, and I don’t chew and I don’t go with girls that do. That being said I am about the only one in my family who does not use tobacco.
I, like everyone here, love to get out doors, go fishing, spend the day in the sun and the wind and the rain. No problem-- well there is a bit of a problem.
I was just operated on for Lip Cancer, squamous cell carcinoma. Let me tell you that is not one bit fun. They took a section out of my lip about the size of a larger bay shrimp. That was 3 weeks ago, its healing up very well, no additional surgery or therapy required.
What’s the point? Just a reminder…
Use your sun screen. We are all out there and it can happen to any one of us. It is silly not to protect ourselves when all we have to do us use some sun screen and/or lip balm.
I just ordered a new boat, I plan on using it for a long time, and I want plenty of you guys to fish with me for a long time also. As these pages verify, we loose enough of our fishing buddies to other causes.
Be safe out there.

[corrirod]

You don't smoke or chew and you still got lip cancer? Oh man, maybe I'll just take it back up again if I'm going to get it anyway!!! :blush:

I quit both about 5 years ago. I don't miss the smoke but oh do I miss the chew! I'd pick it back up again in a heartbeat.

Sorry you had to get the surgery but glad you're still around to tell about it. Thanks for the reminder.

[reelbigfish72]

My dad had a precancerous growth removed from his eye a few years back. The doctor said it was probably because he spent alot of time outdoors and rarely wore sunglasses. That particular doctor's advice was wear shades even if it's cloudy. So, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen should be part of your daily wardrobe if you're spending lots of time outdoors.

[Nordic Sun]

Hey, look on the brite side. You don't need lips to catch tuna!

Drinking beer, on the other hand, could be messy.

Good luck on your recovery!

Bob

[lake creek charlie]

Sorry to hear about the squamous cell cancer! Im 59 and have been outdoors all my life, hunting and fishing and working construction. I also have had 4 squamous and over 100 basil cell removed. I wear a hat everywhere and wear sunscreen most of the time. The one i worried about more was the one next to my pupil. Hope everything works out ,every day lost from fishing is bad!!!!

[Pilar]

Captn .. we have more TUNA! to catch. I'm glad you got this found and dealt with. I had the same thing about 16 yrs ago. It'll leave a scar and remind you to wear sunblock.

Scars make for better stories than Tattoos.

[Captn]

John, thats why we like you, you have such a great perspective. Tks.
We will be fishing here in just a few months.

[Hook'd]

Captn:

Glad to hear you found it early and they were able to take care of it completely.

I want to hear more about the new boat. Maybe, at Bend in May.

Have a fast recovery!

[ron m]

Captn, sorry you had it, glad it was found. And thanks for the reminder too, lots of us are susceptible to that, I have an appt every 6 months and am all too familiar with liquid nitrogen and with the surgery to remove the offending cells.

I grossed out a nurse once when I was having one removed by the surgical method. "Uh, I smell barbecue and it's me!" She didn't think it was very funny, but ya know, sometimes even sick humor helps. For those of you that have been lucky enough to not have this experience, the doc will cauterize and scrape, then repeat the sequence twice more. Hence the barbecue. So far I've been lucky though, no carcinoma yet. I'm guessing they use a different surgical method for that.
ron m

[BigB72]

Captn i'm sorry to here about that. same thing happened to me about two years ago. no tobacco use here either. i don't even drink but one beer a month. had half my bottom lip cut off. i keep a huge bottle of sun screen and lip balm on my boat. don't wanna lose any more of my lip.