Day 16-17

Things are definitely healing at this point, it doesn't sting as much as it did, and I feel better. 

My eyes burn and are puffy, and still very sensitive to bright light and my whole head is now starting to crack open, bleed and peel. 

I have to be very careful if I haven't applied the aquaphor not to strain my face or scratch it, so that it doesn't break open and create an open wound.

Also, you know when you have a bad sunburn and it peels after? And you peel it just a little too early? Yeah, that is my whole head right now, picking at it is definitely not a good idea.

The ointment serves its purpose very well, it stays slippery throughout the day, and moisturizes all of the spots that itch and crack.

I find myself washing my hands then placing my face in my hands, and gently rubbing soothes some of the itching and burning, I do this several times daily.

    I feel like I am healing faster than most other people, I have read several other blogs, and at this point I consider myself extremely blessed, and contribute it to taking diligent care of myself and following every prompting that I have from the spirit, and those around me who  care for me.

The Priesthood blessing that I received through my Sons' in law is obviously in effect, and as I follow that divine advice, and continue in my faith, no doubt all will be well with this affliction, and it will be nothing more than a memory and a life lesson soon. :-)

 

Day 14, day 2 healing

These pictures were taken yesterday on my first day of applying the aquaphor instead of the efudex.

This ointment is very uncomfortable to me to wear because it is like an oil that doesn't soak in...ICK.

 Dont get me wrong, I'm grateful for it, and hopefully it's healing powers, it's just going to take some getting used to. 

 My face without it is extremely dry, and cracky, and even with it on is really itchy. It's actually good to have it on so that I don't scratch and bleed.

So far so good on the healing, looking forward to turning the corner soon and starting to get better rather than worse.

Day 11-12

Ok, just talked to Dr Gallegos, and apparently I am Way ahead if schedule!!! He says the reaction to the medicine takes longer in some than others, and he thinks the reaction I have had is sufficient to wipe out all of the actinic keratosis, which should also include any or most of the more dangerous cells squamous or basal, and if not, they should be few, and easy to treat.

LET THE HEALING BEGIN!!

From what I understand, this process is normally more painful and uglier than the actual treatment, so we'll see.

There is no doubt in my mind that I have been blessed with a short treatment time due to the blessing I received before I started, and the prayers being answered since I started the treatment. I will ask my sons in law to give me a blessing this evening and ask all of you who have been praying for me to continue to pray for success in this treatment, as well as a short, and problem free healing period.

It is so awesome to be able to rely on my Heavenly Father to answer my own prayers as well as the prayers of those around me who love and care for me the way that they do.I definitely feel ministered to!

Day 10

So day 10 brings with it the spreading of the rash. It seems to be filling in, and becoming one big burn.

The application of the efudex is so painful that it seems ridiculous to continue to do it. I have no desire to stop though, I am determined to never have to go through this again. 

Some of the blistering seems to have burst, I am seeing some scaley areas that I did not see yesterday, and they are super sensitive to the touch. 

I still find that the best medicine is to be busy, occupying myself so I "forget" about the discomfort. 

Having the kids around, and listening to their busy days, and their projects and plans have the right kind of effect, I feel better when we are all together playing a game, or just hanging out.

Several times over the last couple of days  I have felt the spirit so strongly when the pain has been the worst, it is such a comfort to know that the pain that would otherwise be unbearable is being taken up by my Savior at those times. I am so grateful for the Atonement, and for my faith in God.

Day 8-9

Today is Sunday, I've had a great couple of days spent with Staci and the kids. All of us being together to watch the different conference sessions has been awesome, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the time together.

My skin is on fire! Pins and needles are the new thing, sharp shooting pains that subside only with gently pressing a soft cloth, or the palm if my hand against the surface of the skin that burns the worst. As you can see in the pictures, I look like crap! I am really, really glad at this point that I am able to stay out of the public eye. We went thru the drive thru at taco time yesterday and I swear the kid flinched when he looked at me the first time.

I texted the Dr Gallegos today, and he said he thought that the reaction was looking good in the pictures. He also said "keep going for a few more days, and we'll see how it looks"...I really hope that means he is going to tell me I'm almost done with the treatment and can start the healing process, it would be awesome to only have to do 2 weeks of each instead of 3 then 2.

Either way, I am certain that all will end well with this, and so far all faith and no fear.

Day 6

Ok, today is Friday, had to skip a couple posts while we moved to Utah. We have arrived, and have unloaded the truck, and have been surrounded by family, friends, and wonderful new neighbors since we got here. 

As you can see, the markings on my face and scalp are getting larger, redder, and way more painful by the day. It is becoming more difficult to apply the medicine to the point of tears. It it like rubbing alcohol on an open wound, only it continues to sting all day.

It is way worse when I am idle, doing nothing to pass the time, so luckily, with the move, there is a lot to do, and as long as I do it slowly so that I don't sweat AT ALL  I do ok.

I have been extremely conscious about the way I look, but the people that I am surrounded by here are so understanding and non judge mental that I actually forget that I look this way( which is such a blessing) I want no part of going out in public at this point, and feel truly blessed to have this time off of work to spend getting better, around my Family and getting our new home live able.

Both of the neighbors I met today have had experience first hand with skin cancers, one of which actually used efudex successfully a few years back, he was very sympathetic and tried to be as encouraging as he could knowing what I still have left to go through.

The lesson to take from today for those who have to use this stuff, don't sweat! It hurts! Don't get dirty! Washing your face hurts! And above any other advice...have a wonderful relationship with your family , and make friends that you consider part of that family, otherwise you may not have the motivation you WILL need to put this stuff on your skin.

Tomorrow, general conference starts, I am more excited for this semi annual event than I have ever been! To be able to listen to the Prophetic words of the leaders of this wonderful church, after they have counseled with The Lord on the things pertaining to my familys' eternal well being and salvation is such a blessing for each of us. I hope you all are able to take something away from these sessions that will help you become closer to our Savior. 

Thank you all for your prayers, I am heavy in faith and supprisingly light in fear. This must be Gods hand, because I'm normally a scaredy cat.

Day 4

 

Today was my last day of work until this this is all finished, and probably a good thing, because I am really starting to look red and splotchy. My nose is bright red and my eyes are pretty puffy.
As you can see, I shaved the beard and goatee off today at the doctors request, its been years since I have been clean shaven on the chin. I guess it will be easier to apply the medicine when my face gets really raw without the facial hair.
I feel like I have a pretty bad sunburn, especially on my forehead and scalp, and I have now become pretty self conscious about my looks. I don't look forward to being around anyone other than my family anymore, the pictures don't do the splotchiness justice.
Luckily, I actually feel pretty good. I've had a lot of sunburns in my life, so I can tolerate the soreness so far. We rented the 24' budget truck today, and I was able to load our storage unit and our shed and all of the boxes we have packed so far, so we made a lot of headway today and are ahead of schedule by a full day.
I cannot stress to those who read this enough to WEAR SUNSCREEN and a HAT! You do not want to have to deal with this kind of stuff when you are older. I hope my Daughters especially pay attention...Girls, you have my genes, Take care of, and protect your skin, and make sure your husbands and future children do the same!
My doctor gave me some pamplets on skin cancer and after reading them I am certain that my 25 years of smoking cigarettes didn't help either, but ultimately, the sun exposure is the biggest factor.
  Please continue to keep us in your prayers, I need all of the help I can get!

Day 3

Ok, well day 3 has been a little more of an adjustment than day 2. I learned today that you do NOT want to sweat, and have the sweat with the efudex in it get in your eyes. I thought sunscreen burned your eyes, doesn't even compare to this stuff on the pain-o-meter.
As you can see, I got a buzz cut today, and the application of the medicine is a lot easier, and I feel like I am able to actually cover the entire scalp fairly evenly now. There are quite a few red splotches showing up this evening, mostly on my forehead, but also on my neck and in my beard. my nose has also gone pretty red.
I noticed today, even this morning on my way to work, that the sun seemed really bright, and the thought of allowing it to hit my skin was repulsing. When I did have to go outside today and the sun hit my head, it felt like my skin would tighten up and start on fire. I am going to keep my head out of the sun.
I also felt a bit nauseous today both times I applied the medicine, but only for about ten or fifteen minutes. I am going to ask my doctor if this is normal.
Overall, today was ok, but I see the progression of this happening faster than I want it to. We are going to try and move out of here a day early, and we may need to drive at night if my eyes and skin are going to be this sensitive to the sun.
I will see how tomorrow goes and report again.
For those of you reading this blog, I need your prayers, I knew from the beginning I wouldn't be able to do this without the blessings only my Heavenly Father can offer and through the atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ. I am keeping the faith.

Day 2

Today was pretty much uneventful, two applications 12 hours apart, no change in my complexion
today so I didn't take a new picture. I have decided to cut my hair off though because applying on my scalp is tedious and messy with a full head of hair. I had grown my facial hair out to avoid the itchy part of the beard during the worst time of the healing, and I didn't want to have to shave a scabby face to avoid the itching, I am going to stick with that plan for now as my beard is beyond the itchy stage.

Day 1

Ok, well, I've never made a blog before so this will be another first for me.

A little background to start I guess. I am 43 years old, and have been battling with skin cancers and keratosis for 15 years or so. I have had the MOH's surgery 4 different times on my lower lip, and have had lots and lots of smaller cancers cryo'd or biopsied off of my face and head over those years.

Recently, I had 4 different biopsy's taken from my forehead and scalp, and after determining the type of cancer and its malignance, it has been deemed necessary for me to go through this process of topical chemotherapy known as efudex treatment.

My doctor has prescribed this treatment to be self administered twice daily for the next 3-4 weeks on my entire face, scalp, the sides of my neck, and ears.

He has asked me to document the progress with photo's and my remarks, as we are moving back to Utah in 5 days and he will have to look after me through the pictures I take and send to him.

I also wanted to document this process, and my progress through it, as a way to pass  the the lessons that I learn through this process on to those who might be able to use it during their own battle with this nasty cure for this nasty disease.

I applied the first treatment about an hour ago and it is Saturday the 28th of sept. 2013

I will tell you that I am afraid of the next few weeks, but that I have faith that my father in heaven will be with me throughout this treatment, and that I will be blessed with good health when I am finished.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) and tonight before my first treatment, I was given a Priesthood blessing by my former Bishop and my Elders Quorum President,(both very good friends of mine) and I am feeling very confident that no matter what comes over the next 6 weeks, my Savior, Jesus Christ will take from me that which I cannot handle myself.

I will update this blog daily, or as things change, whichever seems appropriate.

Darren