Round Two: Day 8 Cold

 

Round Two: Day 8 - 7/15/2014

 



I'm starting to feel uncomfortable.  This morning I set up the dining room for my 6 year old's birthday party (family only) tonight, ran to Walmart and did a few chores.  I ran into a friend in Walmart who saw my face and asked if it hurt. 

 

I'm in Florida remember, notice my sweatshirt.  I'm freezing again.  My face hurts, stings hurts, and I feel very nauseas today as well.  I cringe if a child, pet or hugging person gets too close to my face. I'm cracking around my lips, and  starting to get small red spots.  Red dots randomly decorate my cheeks, eye browns and jawline like bulbs on a Christmas tree.  I wore a hat outdoors today, and tried to run quickly from inside the car to inside a business.  I don't think I can go out much longer, if the sun hits me it hurts, and makes me pretty red. 

 

So far I'm still not as bad as last time.  It did take a little determination to apply the fluorouracil cream this AM.  It's like putting salt in a wound.  I must thank the other bloggers out there for sharing your own stories.  It's helpful to read other's experiences, because we all hit different hurdles and find different methods to get over them.  

Round Two: Not As Bad As The First Time

Day 6, July 13, 2014

This morning I was pleasantly surprised that I'm not looking or feeling too bad yet.  I felt a little nauseous still, and my skin feels sensitive but not painful yet, much like how a sunburn feels. Eating seems to help the nausea, and iced coffee tastes great.  About an hour or so after applying my morning dose of fluorouracil I got the chills really bad again.  I put on a heavy sweatshirt and socks and watched TV for an hour and it seemed to subside.  I'm pretty comfortable at the moment.  I have not had the headache for a couple of days now and I am grateful for that.  The most soothing thing is my EOS lip balm.  I am not currently applying any products to my face other than the fluorouracil twice daily.  It makes my skin look oily all day, but I can't really complain about that, its not suppose to be a spa treatment.  Every day that I'm not in pain and can sleep is a blessing, one less day than I had to endure the first round, so I'm a happy camper. 

Round Two: Then and Now

Day 5 - July 12, 2014

I was extremely glad I went to the concert last night.  Who doesn't love reggae, and it did succeed in getting my mind off my face and not feeling well.  Staying busy with other things is really important. Luckily the lights at the venue were red so I blended right in.  The AC was cranked and the cool air felt soothing on my face.  I didn't wear any makeup, except for eye liner and mascara.  This AM I noticed that there is a huge difference in my skin from day 5 of this 2nd round vs day 5 of my initial treatment three years ago. 

I'm putting plenty of medication on and even getting into my eyebrows and the edges of my lips this time because I could feel the rough skin, which is the manifestation of the precancerous cells, in those areas.  I realize it is probably really going to suck, but treatment with fluorouracil is really going to suck anyway, so I might as well get it now rather than have to deal with needles and stuff later.  Why am I not looking as bad as last time?  My doctor told me during my appointment that he didn't expect this round to be as severe as last time.  When I reread my blog from three years ago, I noticed that he had mentioned doing a lighter dose in the future, but that he actually prescribed the same therapy this time as last time. I also noticed something else, when I looked back at my blog this morning my day 5 photo from this treatment looks nowhere near as red or inflamed.  My day 4 photos look more similar.  In my blog entry from day 5, 2011 I mentioned that I had put on make up for a photo shoot at a wedding on the 4th night, then on day 5 I was considerably more red.  I'm relieved that I chose not to wear makeup last night.  Its not for certain, but it does seem that perhaps the makeup made things much worse.  I'll pass on testing that theory.

I'm starting to develop an aversion to spicy food and hot food (temperature wise) in general.  In the first few days of my treatment I made sure to get those in, so I should be good for the next few weeks.  Normally I drink coffee every morning and love spicy food.  The past two mornings I chose to skip my coffee, I just can't stand the idea of anything hot near my face or lips. 

My headache has been gone today, which is a huge relief. Today I still felt a little nauseous, but its nothing I can't handle.  Getting out of the house now as much as possible, before it gets bad has been a priority.  Today I had a great lunch out with tons of sweet tea, which tasted so wonderful, cool and soothing.  Later I went to a movie, in which the theater had the AC cranked and it was nice and dark.  I got the chills really bad between the two and felt totally exhausted.  After a nap buried under many blankets and I felt much better.  I've been getting spells where I feel very cold every afternoon.  No one else is feeling cold though, it seems to come a couple of hours after applying the fluorouracil. 

Yesterday I bought one of those EOS lip balms , it feels WONDERFUL!!

Round Two: Nearly Three Years Later

Before my 1st application of Florouracil 5% cream for my 2nd Round of topical chemotherapy on my entire face 7/7/14. It's been nearly 3 years since my first round. I've been instructed by my doctor to apply a small amount twice daily.

Day 1 -1st morning after one treatment the night before 7/8/14.  Not much happening yet, just a tad bit of pink in my cheeks.  I reread my Blog to refresh my memory and get ready for the next month.

Day 2 - 7/9/14 feeling a little sensitive like a light sunburn, just a little more pink.  Today I got a headache that wouldn't go away for anything and felt a little sick at my stomach.

Day 3  - 7/10/14 Some light red spots are starting to stand out.  My skin burns if I go outside, it's July here in Florida and in the 90s.  The headache is back with a vengeance.  I took ibuprofen and Tylenol which didn't help.  My skin is just a tad bit red still, I'm pulling my hair out of my face because it feels irritating on my face.

Day 4 - 7/11/14 I'm getting some red spots on my cheeks and a few spots around my lips.  Today water made me feel sick, but in the evening the headache and nausea seemed to subside a bit.  I don't look too bad yet, I'm going to brave it while I can and head downtown to a reggae concert tonight for a bit.  Hopefully they have the AC cranked and maybe in the dark no one will notice how red I am. 

Well.... it's January 30th so here I go!

I had a really hard time getting myself motivated to make the appointment for today, but I'm goin in!  Part of it for me is that I HATE needles, and I know if my dermatologist sees any weird spots it means needles.  I think I'd rather go another round of the topical chemo than take a shot.  I'm a wuss.

My life has been totally busy, my husband has had kidney failure and needs a transplant, I'm teaching full time, taking care of our house, three boys etc.  I can think of a million excuses to avoid this appointment today, but the fact is that it's important.  Very important.  I'd much rather keep up with this stuff than find out it's gotten out of hand and I could die.  My youngest is only 4, he needs me around for awhile, especially now with my husband's illness.  So... hi ho hi ho it's off to my dermatologist I go.  I'll update you all soon of course.  Cross your fingers, toes, legs, arms etc for me!!!

No Dermatologist until January 2013 NO MATTER WHAT!

I really appreciate the email and comments I've received from readers of my blog.  I hope it has been helpful to some of you as to what to expect from topical chemotherapy.  I really hope it inspires and educates rather than frightens anyone.  I'll willingly do it again, but I'll be a little better prepared next time. I reread my blog for the first time in a long time today, and much of the experience I have totally forgotten.  I will need to reread it again before I start my next course so that I have all the proper lotions on hand, and I will never forget to talk to my doctor about pain management in advance. 

My dermatologist says I don't have to go back and see him again until January 2013.  I have to tell you that in early June I broke out in a rash/hives on my arms and legs and flew to California for my sister's wedding. Perfect timing of course!  I just could  not bring myself to go back in to the dermatologist, and luckily it cleared up and went away on it's own.  He is one of the nicest doctors on the face of the Earth, but I just couldn't stand the thought of seeing him again before January. 

It's Summertime here on the Gulf Coast of Florida.  This summer I've played outdoors with my kids quite a bit.  I wear lots of hats, and sunglasses, and my sunblock everyday.  We go to the beach!  Yep, and I wear a swimsuit!!  We go early around 9 or 10 AM  or later in the afternoon, around 5PM.  Not too early or too late though because everyone around here knows that sharks eat breakfast at sunrise and dinner at sunset and I already have enough to worry about.  I apply sunblock to my kids and myself before we even leave the house, that way it gives it lots of time to soak in.  We don't stay at the beach all day, an hour or two is plenty for the kids to swim and play.  No sunburns or over exposure on any of us this year using this method.  It's possible to still enjoy summertime, the beach etc, without getting so many of the sun's harmful rays.  No more sunbathing, but it's more fun to play with my children anyway. 

One of the best things happening is it seems that the days of getting those dark tans is quickly becoming a thing of the past.  It no longer seems so cool to have a dark tan.  In my eyes I see that and I see damaged skin, much the way I see someone with a face wrinkled from years of smoking.  It doesn't look healthy in fact, it looks unhealthy. I really dark tan looks, well......nasty.   I don't mind my legs being white anymore either, I once tried to have the darkest legs on the beach, I'm now quite satisfied with my white legs.  I'm satisfied to have another summer of playing with my kids and being here to love them and laugh with them.  I still pray the skin cancer stays at bay so I will be here for my children for many years to come.  I don't expect you will hear much from me until January 2013. 

A final note......I am really interested in all of the media about tanning beds lately.  I started tanning beds around 12 or 13 years old, until a few years ago. I always thought I was bulletproof and they would have a cure for skin cancer before I got old.  I totally support legislation that bans minors from using sunbeds.  I found it rather amusing that one state had a stipulation that they must have signed parental permission.  I wondered if parents could sign for their children to purchase a carton of cigarettes in this state.   Just a thought. 

Keep me posted on things.  I read all of your emails and posts, and keep you all in my prayers. 

Christina

I'm Doing Well

It's been awhile since I posted, I've been really busy with work and my kids.  I started the school year out looking like I did in the photos. I know it wasn't easy for everyone around me to look at me, but they handled it well and were very supportive.  The treatment was difficult, and at the time I didn't know how I could ever even imagine going through it again.  My doctor keeps a close on me, and has told me it could be as often as every year  for the rest of my life, or maybe every few years.  When it's time, I will do it again. 

How am I feeling now?  I feel great.  The experience led me to evaluate my life.  I ended up closing my gallery and photography business to spend more time with my family.  I still stay super busy teaching and getting my boys to all their extra curricular activities. 

My skin looks better than ever.  I get compliments on it all the time.  I think some people think that what I went through was more of a cosmetic procedure like Retin A or something. They're nuts! Topical Chemotherapy is not a cosmetic procedure, although it is healing up rather nicely.  The pain and discomfort are only a distant memory now.  I've done so much living since then and it does not feel like it is the center of my life anymore, as it did when I was going through it.  It does end and it does get better!

My life has changed for the better in a few different ways.  I have more of a desire to be healthy.  I've lost over 30 lbs after I ended my treatment.   I've changed my diet, and that of my family so that we eat a lot more fresh veggies and lean meat etc.  I've started running again which makes me feel wonderful, (for the most part on the treadmill out of the sun)!  For me it's Spring Break and for the first time that I can remember I am avoiding the sun.  I went to a beach restaurant with my friends and kids and found a beautiful table in the shade.  My kids get slathered in 50 SPF, and I am quickly accumulating the cutest hat collection in town. 

So hang in there.  Trust me, if I can do this you sure can!  I'll update my photo one of these days.  Prayers to you in your journeys.  Don't let this experience get you down.  It sucks!  No question about that, but grow and learn from it, help others learn about skin cancer prevention, or figure out what is really important in your life.  While you are hiding at home in the cool shade you should get some extra time to think about these things. Don't dwell on the past, think positive about what you can do now and in the future.  If you know someone else going through this, understand they may be a bit irritable, give them your support, and bring them some ice cream!