Well Here I Am..

I did some research when my Derm prescribed the Carac 05%, back in Nov '06, I visited topicalchemo.com and literally cried at the thought of doing this, to myself much less!   I just discovered this site today...and the sea of information has been very helpful~

 I am on day 6.  Feeling pretty self concious as I have the appearance of a bad facial break out on my nose and cheeks already. Very red and stings upon application and at random moments throughout the day.. and alas, I work in an office so this is becoming more difficult, because there is quite a difference from just two days ago.   My 9 y/o son is taking a daily picture of me and I'm keeping a lighthearted Journal to make it through.  I have to chuckle, I never realized I had so many mirrors in my house.  It's hard not to take a peek at what is happening.. 

 btw- By day 3 the itching was unbearable 2-3 hours after application and I thought I was over reacting but no! - my skin crawls.  My Derm suggested Hydrocortisone.     (Haven't seen anyone else mention this)

The Vaseline will come in handy especially since I want to play this down at work and don't want to bring "more" attention to my face and possibly shedding a tear or two.  Wish I was a turtle!

 What a way to begin the New Year! 

Thanks to all who have written~

Darlene

On 1/7/2007 Jrnygrl wrote:

I did some research when my Derm prescribed the Carac 05%, back in Nov '06, I visited topicalchemo.com and literally cried at the thought of doing this, to myself much less!   I just discovered this site today...and the sea of information has been very helpful~

 I am on day 6.  Feeling pretty self concious as I have the appearance of a bad facial break out on my nose and cheeks already. Very red and stings upon application and at random moments throughout the day.. and alas, I work in an office so this is becoming more difficult, because there is quite a difference from just two days ago.   My 9 y/o son is taking a daily picture of me and I'm keeping a lighthearted Journal to make it through.  I have to chuckle, I never realized I had so many mirrors in my house.  It's hard not to take a peek at what is happening.. 

 btw- By day 3 the itching was unbearable 2-3 hours after application and I thought I was over reacting but no! - my skin crawls.  My Derm suggested Hydrocortisone.     (Haven't seen anyone else mention this)

The Vaseline will come in handy especially since I want to play this down at work and don't want to bring "more" attention to my face and possibly shedding a tear or two.  Wish I was a turtle!

 What a way to begin the New Year! 

Thanks to all who have written~

Darlene

Hi Darlene --

This is my first message to this group, and yours attracted me due to where you were in the process and your determination to keep a "lighthearted journal".  I hadn't seen any postings of yours since day 6, and wondered how it went.  I did the same thing you did -- got the script in December, did enough research to terrify myself (topical chemo site AND this one) and haven't gotten up the nerve to start the process.  My dermotolgist suggested the hydrocortisone out of the gate -- so I guess that's good. . . Having nightmares and anxiety attacks about it and haven't even started!!  I am supposed to do 14 days.  I am a red head - fair, thin, skin and figure that can't be a good think where efudex is concerned!! 

Thanks --

Sharon