2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "What's Next"

Legomaster225–. Super happy for your great news!!! Enjoy your weekend!!!

saw my dermatologist last week. Showed the Dr. The spot on my forearm that had been scraped and cauterized twice before in the last 9 months as it seemed to me to still look flaky. Dr. agreed and took another sample for a 3rd biopsy. Got the call yesterday. It’s still skin cancer. Crap. Words no one wants to hear.

Now it is early skin cancer. Epidermis layers only. It’s been cut out twice now and back again. And, this is my cancer side arm so I worry about lymphedema as the last biopsy resulted in cording.

With the diagnosis came the new treatment plan. I have 5FU cream (Chemotherapy) to apply twice a day for at least 4 weeks. Hoping this is the treatment that kills that cancer forever!!

Directions make it sound like the skin will burn and flake off and continue for 1-2 months after treatment ends. Hoping for no other SE. If I am honest with myself, I will admit I am a bit timid at the thought of applying chemo cream directly on a biopsy site that hasn’t fully scabbed over. Will feel better after learning how that process goes tonight.

In the big picture of it all, this is a little issue. But kinda tired of treatments. Have only been out of the clinical trial for 2 months... back to chemo. Sigh.

Thanks for listening!!

so today is day 1 of my 4 week treatment. It is so weird when you are applying a cream chemo to yourself. It’s one thing when you sit there and a professional gives you chemo. It’s a different feeling when you do it to yourself.

The chemo cream is 5% FU cream. 5 FU is/was a breast cancer treatment not all that long ago. I am not sure if it is still used or not here in the states. My SIL was on 5FU back in the early 80s. And it is part of a line of chemo called FEC in breast cancer. It’s also used as tx for other cancers. Ahhhh the stuff we learn as we navigate life.

Washed off the wound and let air dry for 10 mins (per instructions). Looked at the wound and was happy to see it does look scabbed over. I don’t see a wound opening! Ok, I can do this.

Took the tube out of the box. Removed the lid and punctured the protective seal. Here we go.

I squeezed out a small dab. Thinking about “clear margins”, I applied the cream a good inch beyond the wound.

Next, washed my hands and rinsed well.

I paused and just looked at my arm. Area was white like happens with some sunscreen lotions. Then I could see it being absorbed into my skin. No pain or burning but it does itch. Have to remind my subconscious self not to scratch!

Ok. I can do this.

Thanks for the kind comments. Sure hope this does the trick!! Cancer GO AWAY!!!!

here’s my update: started the chemo cream Wednesday, twice a day. So far it itches but nothing more. Reminds me of radiation where early rads were without incident but more sessions of rads brought side affects. I read on line how others who have had to use this cream on their face said people wouldn’t look at them due to what the cream was doing to their skin. Applying this cream everyday wondering when the fun begins. Not really PTSD but a reminder that it’s chemo and there will be impacts at some point. I am scheduled to see my dermatologist towards the end of July.

Pink_is_my_colour— thanks for the candle