Welcome to Tween's Journal

You tell your parents you don%u2019t want to be treated like a kid anymore, but saying that means you%u2019re ready to take responsibility for yourself. That includes taking your medication.

Sure, no one wants to have to need medication, but think how different life would be without it. Without asthma meds, running track, playing tennis and anything else that triggers an attack would be impossible. Not taking allergy medicine could mean getting rid of Rufus, the family dog, and being unable to participate in outdoor sports. Refusing insulin, well, there%u2019s no way that would end well. Being healthy means being smart%u2014you can do this. Start by getting answers to your medication questions, such as what to do if you miss a dose. Then find ways to stay on schedule, like these:

· Make taking your medication part of your routine. If you take pills, put them in a seven-day organizer so a glance will tell you what you%u2019ve taken.

· Keep your meds in plain sight so you can%u2019t forget. For insurance, set the alarm on your cell phone or computer.

· Mark your calendar to be sure you renew your prescription on time. Try to get a three-month supply.

You may think you look really amazing with a tan, but you know experts have been saying for years that tanning is dangerous. Whether you do it indoors or outdoors, there's no safe way to tan %u2013even if you start out by getting a base tan, which is a nice way of saying skin damage.

It may take years before you see the consequences of tanning. If you're lucky, you'll just have wrinkled, leathery, freckled, dark-spotted skin. If you're not lucky, you'll end up with melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can kill you if it's not caught early.

Can't resist being tan? Go sunless. Today's self-tanners are better than ever, are completely safe, take less time than it does to get a real tan and are inexpensive. Better yet, you can get a fake tan all over and don't have to worry about tan lines or strap marks. But if you're still determined to zap your skin with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, follow these tips:

%u2022 Avoid the sun, or hang out in the shade, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
%u2022 Make sure you use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that's SPF 15 or higher, and reapply according to label instructions.
%u2022 Apply an even coat of sunscreen over all exposed skin%u2014including your lips, nose, ears, neck, hands and feet %u2013 30 minutes before you go outside so your skin can absorb it for the best protection.
%u2022 Wear a wide-brimmed hat and protect your eyes with sunglasses that have a UV protection of at least 99 percent.
%u2022 Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether you%u2019re taking medications that will make you more sensitive to the sun and more likely to burn.

Kids don't get cancer, right? Wrong. Kids do get cancer, which is pretty scary. But it's a billion times scarier when your best friend gets it. It's OK to be scared and sad, confused, angry, worried and guilty, too, but to be the ultimate BFF, you should:
Learn. Understanding about your friend%u2019s type of cancer lets you talk about it together.
Listen. Sometimes BFFs can share feelings with each other they can%u2019t share with anyone else.
Get involved. Go with your friend to appointments, maybe even treatments. Talk about things going on at school or whatever you think may help keep your BFF%u2019s mind occupied with something other than what%u2019s going on at the moment.
Be loyal. Some kids who are afraid or don%u2019t understand what your BFF is going through may react by teasing. Stay close by and be supportive when someone says something hurtful.
Be positive. Don%u2019t say things you don%u2019t believe, but staying upbeat will help you both.
Don%u2019t change. Cancer is a disease, but it%u2019s not contagious, and though treatment sometimes changes the way a person looks, it can%u2019t change the person your friend is inside%u2014and it shouldn%u2019t change the way you treat your BFF!