CancerCompass message board discussion started by Hamburgerface on 11/22/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,18239,0.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hello, I just found this group and was wondering if anyone could post a web site showing the different stages of efudex treatment?  I just finished 3 weeks at twice a day of the stuff and would like to know how long it takes to get back to normal. Hamburgerface Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT Here is a link  for pictures and a log of the entire process.http://web.mac.com/aks2/Site/About_Me.html  Go to the top of the page and click on "Blog" then at the bottom of that page click on "Go to archive" and you can start at the beginning. It was helpful to me. Good Luck. geeknee Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 11/22/2007 Hamburgerface wrote:Hello, I just found this group and was wondering if anyone could post a web site showing the different stages of efudex treatment?  I just finished 3 weeks at twice a day of the stuff and would like to know how long it takes to get back to normal.BTW...I finished it on my legs arms and chest on Oct. 8th and am still spotted. It has lightened dramatically but still looks bad enough to make me want to stay covered.   geeknee Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thanks for sending the link to those photos.  I looked like Heidi for way too long!  My 3 week (two a day) Efudex treatment ended on 11/21/07 and continued to get worse for a couple of days then gradually went a way.  It is now 10 days later and almost back to normal.  About 3 days ago I started using my wife's fake tan lotion (Jergens Natural Glow) to add a little color and cover up any splotchiness and it seems to be working.  It's not a sunscreen so that goes on after. I do want to pass on one thing that really helped with the pain and itching was fresh aloe vera leaf.  Cut a piece or two and put it in the fridge, then when it is cold you split it open and rub the gel inside the leaf on the efudex area.  AAAHHH it was like being kissed by an angel! Hamburgerface Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hamburgerface, (aren't you glad that name doesn't match you now!) Thank you for the fresh Aloe Leaf gel suggestion!I bought an Aloe Vera leaf in the grocery store just waiting in the fridge to try when the time comes.  I also have Jojoba oil standing by.  I think I'll do each on one half of my face to see which helps the pain & inflamation and soothes best.  I'll mix them together to put on my forehead or chin, whichever needs it most.  I'll report to the board members on the three once I use them.    ButterflySwimmer Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 12/1/2007 geeknee wrote:Here is a link  for pictures and a log of the entire process.http://web.mac.com/aks2/Site/About_Me.html  Go to the top of the page and click on "Blog" then at the bottom of that page click on "Go to archive" and you can start at the beginning. It was helpful to me. Good Luck. Does everyone else get the pictures past day 16?  My Mac stops at day 16.  I'm on day 6 and geeknee's photos are helpful.  He only used .05%.  I'm on 5% Efudex and look like he did at this point.  I can't (don't want to) imagine what I'm in for for three weeks of 5%.  Has anyone else gone through my course of therapy that is willing to give a helping hand?  Thank you.   ButterflySwimmer Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 12/2/2007 Hamburgerface wrote:Thanks for sending the link to those photos.  I looked like Heidi for way too long!  My 3 week (two a day) Efudex treatment ended on 11/21/07 and continued to get worse for a couple of days then gradually went a way.  It is now 10 days later and almost back to normal.  About 3 days ago I started using my wife's fake tan lotion (Jergens Natural Glow) to add a little color and cover up any splotchiness and it seems to be working.  It's not a sunscreen so that goes on after. I do want to pass on one thing that really helped with the pain and itching was fresh aloe vera leaf.  Cut a piece or two and put it in the fridge, then when it is cold you split it open and rub the gel inside the leaf on the efudex area.  AAAHHH it was like being kissed by an angel!Hamburgerface,  (I hate calling you that since I'm sure your face is beautiful now) how long did the relief last from the fresh Aloe Vera gel?  Did it relieve the burning or itching?  Do you think that could have helped your skin heal faster, too?  Thank you.     ButterflySwimmer Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 12/9/2007 ButterflySwimmer wrote: Does everyone else get the pictures past day 16?  My Mac stops at day 16.  I'm on day 6 and geeknee's photos are helpful.  He only used .05%.  I'm on 5% Efudex and look like he did at this point.  I can't (don't want to) imagine what I'm in for for three weeks of 5%.  Has anyone else gone through my course of therapy that is willing to give a helping hand?  Thank you.  I was on the 5% twice a day for 3 weeks.  Here is a site with photos of a guy on 5% for 4 weeks. www.sannerud.com/people/efudex  Mine never got this bad.  I never got to the bleeding stage.  But it probably would have if I didn't stop putting it on after day 21.  Mine was a darker red than his and covered my whole face.  It didn't start to get itchy and painful until the last week.  The dermatologist said to keep it covered in vaseline which did help with itch and pain.  An herbalist friend also recommended aloe vera (listed in previous email) and 100% vitamin E oil.  Make sure it is 100% and not mixed with any other oils.  Walgreens did not carry it but Smiths grocery store did.  I'm sure that both of these are healthier for the skin than vaseline but the relief did not last as long.  Now the good news, I've had so many compliments on my "new skin."  I think it actually looks younger and my wife likes it.  I'm 47 and have always worked outdoors so it's comforting to know that my chances of getting skin cancer on my face are greatly reduced.  My doctor told me that in the past some people have used an Efudex treatment for purely cosmetic reasons, they believed it reduced wrinkles!  I can't imagine going through all that for cosmetic reasons, but then I'm a guy.  Just remember this is all temporary and what's on the other side is worth it.   "THIS TOO SHALL PASS"Hope that helps.    Hamburgerface Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT The Sannerud site is good. I haven't been able to see anything at all on the Mac site posted earlier in this thread, and I have been trying for two weeks, so I think that site is dead.I am working on my own site, journal entries are up to date and I am taking daily photos but not quite caught up with posting the photos.http:///FunWithEfudex.comI do have links to a couple of other online journals and will add more as I find them. If you know of any, let me know.Best,Fritz 1Fritz Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT I see my link isn't clickable...I'll try again, with apologies for cluttering up the board a little:<a href="http://FunWithEfudex.com">http ://FunWithEfudex.com</a>  1Fritz Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT