Hello, I am new, UGH! Starting on Jan. 1st...

I am so scared! However I am grateful for having found this community. I hope to have someone "out there" to go through this with. I have been sitting at my computer for the last 3.5 hours reading all of these posts and writing down all of the "extras" I will want to have on hand. Thank you all for sharing! You will hear ore from me soon.
meg.

 

On 12/11/2008 meggymeg wrote:

I am so scared! However I am grateful for having found this community. I hope to have someone "out there" to go through this with. I have been sitting at my computer for the last 3.5 hours reading all of these posts and writing down all of the "extras" I will want to have on hand. Thank you all for sharing! You will hear ore from me soon.
meg.

 

 

On 12/11/2008 Kimster007 wrote:

 

On 12/11/2008 meggymeg wrote:

I am so scared! However I am grateful for having found this community. I hope to have someone "out there" to go through this with. I have been sitting at my computer for the last 3.5 hours reading all of these posts and writing down all of the "extras" I will want to have on hand. Thank you all for sharing! You will hear ore from me soon.
meg.

 

 

Meg-

Hang in sister! I have finished up chemo/surgeries for Stage II breast cancer.  Very scared at the beginning.  I kept things to myself for the most part, which didn't help.

I had been petrified but trying to remain positive (sometimes too much to do while continuing to work full time and take care of a 10 year old).  There is comfort being able to talk to someone who has some sort of understanding of being sick.

You take care of yourself and let me know how you are doing~ my prayers are with you, darlin!

xox  Kim

 

On 12/11/2008 meggymeg wrote:

I am so scared! However I am grateful for having found this community. I hope to have someone "out there" to go through this with. I have been sitting at my computer for the last 3.5 hours reading all of these posts and writing down all of the "extras" I will want to have on hand. Thank you all for sharing! You will hear ore from me soon.
meg.

Hello, meggymeg!

This is a great place isn't it?  There are so many very caring people here to talk to and a wealth of info, too.

Of course you are scared.  But the real trick is turning some of that fear into fight!  That will pobably be your biggest job in the next few months.  

I was diagnosed with stage IIA breast cancer into June of this year.  Since then I have had two surgerys, a lumpectomy w/total lymph node desection and then 4 weeks later they went it to remove more questionable tissue around the lump sight.  I took my first round of chemo
starting 9/22 (AC - 4 treatments, 1 every 3 weeks).  Finished that in later October.  I am now in the second round of chemo.  Taking Taxol now.  Once every week for 12 weeks.  I am on treatment #5 today and, all going on schedule, should finish my chemo Jan 30 or so.  6 weeks later I will start radiation for 6 weeks. 

This is the first time a have had anything like this happen.  So, my information is limited compared to many be I will be very happy to answer any question I can.  And, of course, I will be pulling, praying and cheering for you.  God bless you are keep posting. 

Take care,

jodysboys

I am just finishing up 2x/day, four weeks of Efudex 5%. I had minimal reaction for the first two weeks. Like you I was very worried about the treatment after looking at website photos and reading about other experiences. With the lack of an immediate reaction to the Efudex, my worries shifted to wondering whether the medication was working/ whether I was misapplying it.  I've gradually developed spots of irritation and, at 22 days, pronounced redness/irritation on most of my scalp.  After 29 days, it has the look and feel of a blotchy, bad sunburn -- not pretty, but not nearly what I've seen from others on line.  Early on I noticed that my reactions were significantly worsened by any rubbing/touching of the treated area -- and have religiously avoided that despite the itching and discomfort.  

I expected much worse with several years of regular freezing of numerous actinic spots, several BCC and SCC mohs surgeries, photodynamic therapy and Solaraze treatments.  My fingers are crossed that this is a bad as it gets.  I hope all the best for you.  If nothing else it is a temporary exercise in humility and will avoid unnecessary surgeries.  Good luck!

Like you, I was really anxious about the Carac therapy and the potential discomfort, etc.  This website is a valuable resource.  However, you mostly hear from the people that have had a difficult time.  I completed my 4 week treatment 3 weeks ago.  My experience was a Lot easier than I was expecting after reading the horror stories here.  Yes, my face was somewhat uncomfortable at times.  At the end of the day seemed to be the worst.  Putting a salve on it most alleviated that problem.  Itching at the same time was also an annoyance.  The worst was in the 4th week.  Unless you have a much worse experience than I did, you can Easily handle it.

Once the treatment ended, the discomfort lasted another 2 or 3 days but then I quickly recovered.  My doctor prescribed a steroid ointment for me After I completed the treatment.

During the treatment I used a lanolin ointment but others here recommend vaseline or neosporin.  Check with your doctor to see what he recommends.

Good luck, you will like your face after the treatment is over!

 

Pete

(somehow identified my this site as female in error)

 

 

 

 

On 12/14/2008 peteseattle wrote:

Like you, I was really anxious about the Carac therapy and the potential discomfort, etc.  This website is a valuable resource.  However, you mostly hear from the people that have had a difficult time.  I completed my 4 week treatment 3 weeks ago.  My experience was a Lot easier than I was expecting after reading the horror stories here.  Yes, my face was somewhat uncomfortable at times.  At the end of the day seemed to be the worst.  Putting a salve on it most alleviated that problem.  Itching at the same time was also an annoyance.  The worst was in the 4th week.  Unless you have a much worse experience than I did, you can Easily handle it.

Once the treatment ended, the discomfort lasted another 2 or 3 days but then I quickly recovered.  My doctor prescribed a steroid ointment for me After I completed the treatment.

During the treatment I used a lanolin ointment but others here recommend vaseline or neosporin.  Check with your doctor to see what he recommends.

Good luck, you will like your face after the treatment is over!

 

Pete

(somehow identified my this site as female in error)

 

 

 

Pete,

 I'm just starting my Carac tx of 1x daily for 4 wks.  My biggest concern is shaving.  How did the shaving work out for you...........any advice?

 Thanks.

What were you doing wrong when you said you were "misapplying"? I have been on the Efudex for 19 days on my arm and jsut started on my leg. I wonder if I have been misapplying too. My doctor told me to go 21 days, but my are does not look at bad as some of these face spots. The AK spots are scabbed and sore, but my whole arm is not red - yet. Is this something to come with time? Should I stay on it later than recommended?

Thank you.