This is where things stand with my surgeries up to Mile #16.
Mile 15 set me down fairly hard. We expected 4 spots with stitches. We got two with stitches. Both sites on my cheek with stitches were clear and stitches removed on February 11, 2014. The smallest spot on the rear of my head was clear after 3 stages. The spot in front of my ear was clear after 5 stages. Mile #3 (7/2/13) is the sealed new skin at the top of the new site in front of my ear. Mile #7 (9/10/13) is the site healing towards the top of the photo. Mile #9 (10/8/13) is the small area healing above the new site behind my ear. The dates in parenthesis are the original surgery dates.
The spot behind my ear was still not clear after the 5 stages taken. The site will get revisited late summer or early fall. If I am reading the surgery maps correctly it is the lower edge that still shows cancer on the slides.
My surgeon and I decide to do only the small area in front of my left ear. Since Mile #15 gave us so many surprises we are attempting to keep Mile #16 simple.
Mile #16 appears innocent enough. The new skin above the site is Mile #6 (8/20/13). The thin scar down the front of my ear is Mile #8 (9/24/13) .
Celebration!! Mile #16 is one stage and done. This site will get stitches. Notice my hairline is almost back to normal down the left side of my face. I am very grateful. Above Mile #8, barely visible through my bangs, is Mile #6 (8/20/13).
With Mile #16 so close to my hair line my doctor opted for stitches that will dissolve. Therefore 7-10 days from now Mile #16 will be just a memory. WooHoo!!!!!
Regarding my face, the only other area of concern is my forehead. My surgeon is working to coordinate this procedure with the same surgeon that fixed my eyes. We are thinking April 2014 for the surgery.
Speaking of 2014, I will be having procedures 4-6 weeks apart after my forehead. In addition, we will begin my alternative therapies as well.
We are beginning the topical cream Efudex in a 5% strength. I am blessed this cream comes in generic form, Flourouracil, it's $276.00. My insurance covers it with only a $4.00 copay. I will be using it for the next 4 weeks twice a day on an area on my shoulder. The idea is to see how my body reacts/tolerates this treatment. I can easily monitor the area on my shoulder myself.
This area of my shoulder has 4 basals appearing to be superficial and one at the top right that is most likely a deeper tumor. I will use the cream twice a day for four weeks then the doctor will reexamine the site. He asked me to wait until my stitches are gone and I do not require any pain management for Miles #15 & 16 to begin the treatment. He asked me to monitor this area even more diligently than my surgery sites. I am hoping to begin the treatment by March 1, 2014. My husband and I asked why I should wait to start the cream. The answer is that like all drugs there are a host of side effects that can accompany this cream. When the stitches are out and I am no longer needing pain management there will be no confusion as to what is causing any side effects that may arise.
All that being said, I am heading to Texas once again for a sabbatical of sorts. I am leaving Saturday, March 1. The week of March 23 my husband is flying down to join me. We will get to celebrate 19 years of marriage with my family in Texas. I will keep you up to date on the Efudex therapy.
Take Away Nugget: Live Truly and You Will Truly Live
Mile 15 set me down fairly hard. We expected 4 spots with stitches. We got two with stitches. Both sites on my cheek with stitches were clear and stitches removed on February 11, 2014. The smallest spot on the rear of my head was clear after 3 stages. The spot in front of my ear was clear after 5 stages. Mile #3 (7/2/13) is the sealed new skin at the top of the new site in front of my ear. Mile #7 (9/10/13) is the site healing towards the top of the photo. Mile #9 (10/8/13) is the small area healing above the new site behind my ear. The dates in parenthesis are the original surgery dates.
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| Mile #15 two weeks post op |
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| Mile #16 pre op |
Mile #16 appears innocent enough. The new skin above the site is Mile #6 (8/20/13). The thin scar down the front of my ear is Mile #8 (9/24/13) .
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| Mile #16 post op |
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| Mile #16 with stitches |
With Mile #16 so close to my hair line my doctor opted for stitches that will dissolve. Therefore 7-10 days from now Mile #16 will be just a memory. WooHoo!!!!!
Regarding my face, the only other area of concern is my forehead. My surgeon is working to coordinate this procedure with the same surgeon that fixed my eyes. We are thinking April 2014 for the surgery.
Speaking of 2014, I will be having procedures 4-6 weeks apart after my forehead. In addition, we will begin my alternative therapies as well.
We are beginning the topical cream Efudex in a 5% strength. I am blessed this cream comes in generic form, Flourouracil, it's $276.00. My insurance covers it with only a $4.00 copay. I will be using it for the next 4 weeks twice a day on an area on my shoulder. The idea is to see how my body reacts/tolerates this treatment. I can easily monitor the area on my shoulder myself.
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| Trial area for Efudex |
This area of my shoulder has 4 basals appearing to be superficial and one at the top right that is most likely a deeper tumor. I will use the cream twice a day for four weeks then the doctor will reexamine the site. He asked me to wait until my stitches are gone and I do not require any pain management for Miles #15 & 16 to begin the treatment. He asked me to monitor this area even more diligently than my surgery sites. I am hoping to begin the treatment by March 1, 2014. My husband and I asked why I should wait to start the cream. The answer is that like all drugs there are a host of side effects that can accompany this cream. When the stitches are out and I am no longer needing pain management there will be no confusion as to what is causing any side effects that may arise.
All that being said, I am heading to Texas once again for a sabbatical of sorts. I am leaving Saturday, March 1. The week of March 23 my husband is flying down to join me. We will get to celebrate 19 years of marriage with my family in Texas. I will keep you up to date on the Efudex therapy.
Take Away Nugget: Live Truly and You Will Truly Live
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