HATS

Let’s talk hats….

It has now been over a year ago that my Dermatologist said something that I never wanted to hear a Doctor say, “Cancer.”  Life certainly has a way of surprising a person, and this was without question a “surprise”.   He then went on to explain it in a “I’ve got good new, and bad news” sort of way.  The bad news was that a biopsy had revealed cancer. The good news was that it wasn’t going to kill me!   I’m a BIG fan of good news.

We then had a lengthy conversation with both the Dermatologist and his PA about further procedures and prevention.  They outlined for me some strong recommendations on how to proceed with “living”.  Joni and I have always enjoyed being outside in the sunshine, and now it seemed that sunshine was my enemy.  What about boating at the lake?  What about riding the motorcycle?  What about our love of being at sea?   What about my love for sitting beneath the sun on some beautiful tropical stretch of sand?  Their answer was a very simple 2-fold reply: Wear a hat… and use 100+ SPF sunscreen.

Really?   That’s it?  A hat?...  And sunscreen?   I have cancer and that’s what you’ve got to offer me?  You spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and a decade of your life getting your medical degree so that you could tell me to, “Wear a hat”?????  

You're asking, "Did you really say that?" 

Of course not.  But you have to wonder about it; yes?

So now I’m a bit of a hat expert.   And additionally I now have a bit of experience with sunscreens.  If you are a fan of spending time lounging on the open decks of a modern cruise ship… if you love being at sea… here is what I’ve learned.

I really like “Cov-er” brand hats.  They are exceptionally well made.  I really like this “Hood River Organic Cotton Mesh Hat” http://www.adventurehat.com/p-891-hood-river-organic-cotton-mesh-hat.aspx .  It has a very wide 3.25 inch brim which provides very good shade for the face and ears.   Its full mesh crown provides amazing ventilation.  I have worn this hat in full sun 90 degree weather and it was very comfortable.  It is also packable.  I have on many occasions packed it in the front zipper compartment of our Briggs and Riley luggage (I will post about luggage later).  This is my current favorite “go-to” hat.

I also highly recommend www.ADVENTUREHat.com .  Their customer service is fantastic.  They offer free shipping and returns.  They put their money where there mouth is.  When they say 100% satisfaction guaranteed, they mean it.  My size is somewhere between a Large and an Extra-large.  So… because of their help and recommendations, I purchase an XL and they include small strips of adhesive backed felt to place inside the headband for a personalized custom fit.  Their pricing is very reasonable.  And… they feature a huge selection from which to choose.

I picked up a Panama Jack style hat while at the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, Florida last summer.  It is a little smaller overall profile for those times when I don’t need a full-coverage hat.  And then there’s the waterproof camo boonie hat for working out in the yard.  This is the one I wear when I don’t want to have to worry about dirt and sweat and such.

So… here’s the skinny on big hats.  In my case, my physician tells me the cancer was caused by a lifetime of accumulated exposure to the sun.  I am now limiting my direct exposure by two very simple and inexpensive methods.  Why not join me in this journey.  Begin to limit your exposure.  Find a hat that suits your style and wear it!  Don't worry for a second about "hats aren't cool".  Let's stop for a moment and put this into perspective.  Answer for yourself where does a hat rate on the "cool scale", and where does cancer rate.  Yeah, that's the same answer I came up with...  

So... sometime, years from now, if you are on a cruise and you see an old guy sitting out on deck on a gorgeous warm and sunny day, his face hidden beneath of shade provided by a wide brimmed hat… say, “Hello”.  It may just be me.