Introduction to Melissa’s Blog
September 28th, 2010
My name is Melissa.
Me and my children
I’m in my 30 years of living, I’ve never had any sort of surgery. I delivered all of my 3 children naturally and nursed all of them for a full year. I would say I took pretty good care of myself while pregnant. I exercised. I ate decently. But there was still a little side of my body that never reverted back to my pre-mommy days. My husband and I decided quite quickly after we had our third child, with a count of 1 girl and 2 boys, all under the age of 5, that we were DONE! The chapter of baby-making was closing and the “Restoring of me” chapter was beginning. In fact, the wind was blowing the pages open.
I never ever second-guessed my decision to nurse my children. I went 14 months with my first-born, 8 months with my middle child and a full year with my last born. I even used a breast pump as well, to keep the supply and demand up. And now 5 years later, I look in the mirror and look for the missing boobs I once had. I long for those days when I was nursing, because my breasts were at their prettiest. I had cleavage… I had shape… I had my husband’s eyes locked on me… Now fast forward 5 years and I’ve got nothing!
At the time I came to terms with pursuing breast augmentation, my husband, as well, was pursuing a new HOME THEATER!
My Husband’s New Flat Screen TV
A new 52 inch flat screen TV, with a 5 speaker surround sound system. “Wow honey, isn’t the television we currently have just 5 years old?” Of course it was! “And so we’re getting all new everything because why?” I asked. Oh, because he wanted to. And then that is when it became clear to me. I, too, can have something I want and it certainly wasn’t going to be anything flat!
Check back for my story.
New Tan Tax in Effect July 1
July 6th, 2010
10% tax on individuals receiving indoor tanning services was added to the new US Healthcare Bill and it is expected to generate $2.7 billion in revenue over the next ten years to help fund the $940 billion overhaul. Taxpayers are likely to feel the pinch one way or another, as new revenue needs skyrocket. I discussed this on KMSP-TV.
According to CNN’s Money, the average tanning customer spends about $15 to $20 per visit. But for those customers hooked on the look of being tan, I seriously doubt that they will forgo the indoor tanning practice. Maybe a more effective deterrent might be an educational campaign emphasizing the risks associated with tanning.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, indoor tanning before the age of 35 is linked to a 75% increase in the risk of melanoma. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It is only a guess as to whether teenagers will change their attitudes toward tanning and alter their behavior just because of this new tax.
Research has proven that exposure to UV radiation, whether from the sun or indoor tanning beds, can cause serious health concerns. Educating teens on the risks and dangers might prove to be a more useful tool. These concerns include:
Skin burns- frequent burns may lead to skin cancer; significant burns may lead to scarring.
Premature skin aging- wear your sunscreen everyday
Eye damage (short and long-term)- wear good sunglasses, a visor or hat during outdoor activity.
Skin cancer, including melanoma, again I recommend wearing sunscreen and to minimize sun exposure especially during mid-day when the suns rays are most direct.
The US currently spends about $1.8 billion on treating skin cancers each year and $300 million on melanoma alone. This new tax might reduce the future costs of treating skin cancers, if perhaps indoor tanning usage actually declines. I would like to see the socially accepted notion of sporting a tan eventually dispelled as a sign of being healthy and beautiful. In the meantime, certainly self-tanning lotions and potions might offer the best alternative for that bronzy summertime glow.
Next: What to do with skin already damaged by too much sun?
Follow Us!
