Friendships on the line.

I have always known that you find out who in your life really cares when the time comes that the support is needed.  I personally experienced this over the past few months, and it is not a nice feeling when you realise there are people in your life who are just plain nasty.  Most of my friends have been amazing, mainly through Facebook.  Old school friends, friends I haven't seen for a long time and even online friends I have never personally met have shown that they care in different ways.  Whether it be just liking a status, or sending me messages, it has made me feel, well, warm and fuzzy.

Alas, there are always the ones who are just too damn self centered to bother with anything.  All it takes is a click of a button to like a status, or just a quick "how are you" message.  Apparently, this requires too much effort for some.  My last blog was about a so-called friend who told me that I have never had Cancer and to get over it.  Yes, people like this really do exist.  This short horrid bastard never wants to cross paths with Paul or myself.  Nobody makes me feel like that.  Nobody should ever have to feel like that, unless your a short horrid bastard in a loveless marriage such as that dickless asshole.

Well, I have woken up to the reality that someone who I have known for well over a decade also does not give a shit.  I looked back over my Facebook posts from when I was first diagnosed with Melanoma and there were alot of virtual hugs and lovely written words from almost everyone who mattered.  Except for this one girl.  I have always known her to be a little bit selfish, it is just who she is, but I have always been there for her when needed.  She has not once been there for me since this disease fought its way into my life.

I know I talk alot about Melanoma, but it is a huge part of my life and it is part of who I am.  I will not back down from something I care passionately about and I will not stop raising awareness wherever and whenever I can.  You don't need to comment, but even just a simple click on the like button from time to time will show me that you care, even just a little.

You really do find out who your true friends are when your life is on the line.  And it sucks.

Not a killer? Don't I wish!

I am stumped.  There are places in this strange world of ours that are promoting Breast Cancer awareness with tanning!

People are going to support breast cancer awareness by getting a damn tan?  By using sunbeds? So we're going to fight one cancer by encouraging people to get another?  Oh how the mind boggles!

Is that to say that there are those out there who do not believe Melanoma is a serious disease?  Oh wait, there actually are those who think Melanoma is not that great a threat.  And I know a few like that!

In the past couple of days I have read status updates on facebook about how fantastic it is having the sun out so it can be enjoyed by either getting sunburnt or tanned.  I asked one friend if he had used sunscreen and the answer was not impressive.  He said "Sunscreen? Umm, no I did not, I Usually use things that will help me tan".  Another friend and I had a massive debate through private messaging and the end result was me in tears and my partner wanting to throttle the bastard who had me that upset.  It started with him stating "You have had a couple cut out ... Don't stress, get over it. You don't have cancer.... Not even close to it."  Um, so stage 2 Melanoma is apparently not a cancer  *rolls eyes*  Oh, the ignorance of some people.  I was then told by this person not to push the whole summer sun sucks shit, that the sun may or may not cause it.  I let him know that it is not the sun itself, it is the UV rays etc.

I will NOT stand by and keep quiet about the dangers of tanning!  New Zealand is primitive when it comes to the treatment of Melanoma, and alas just as many people die from this killer disease each year as those that die on our roads.

So, Melanoma is not a cancer and tanning is perfectly safe.  What kind of fucked up world have I fallen into?