Started Chemo Today
Rocky Raab
Member Posts: 14,429 ✭✭✭✭
Now, that's true, and the way some posters here are, they'd be thinking that I'm near death.
But I'm not.
Skin cancer has returned to my left ear, in the same place it was a few years ago. They took a biopsy and it came up as some kind of polysyllabic "transitional" thing. It was a carcinoma before, but I'm not sure what it is now. Anyway, I have to apply a topical chemo cream (which I didn't know existed) for eight hours a day, five days a week for six weeks, and then after a few more weeks, minor surgery.
I joked that I always wondered what Vincent Van Gogh felt like, but I was assured I'd still have an ear. (They didn't say whose - or what's. I'm imagining one from a Bassett hound...)
On the up side, I now have a valid excuse not to wear my hearing aids, so it's all good! No condolences needed, guys and gals.
Comments
Glad it isn't more serious. I was just reading about the topical chemo treatment and it sounds like it is quite common. It is supposed to kill any fast growing cells that may be cancer. My question is, how does the medicine know which ones are fast growing?
I mentioned this to the boss and she said one of the church ladies had the treatment last year on her cheek and it looked like heck for about 2 months. Kind of like a blister looks when the top skin is missing. Now you couldn't tell there was anything there and she looks normal. Best wishes for a positive outcome. Bob
just in case you need a new ear after all. 😀
I hope everything goes smoothly and you recover completely.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Sending prayers your way... Everything will be ok❤️🙏
"Independence Now, Independence Forever."
John Adams
My lady Doc says the cream can cause intense irritation, scabbing, and weeping. Or have no side effects at all. The directions say to apply it at bedtime, but I'm a side sleeper, so to keep from treating my pillow more than me, I'm using it in daytime.
Only the first day, but so far, nada.
Kev, I had one of those ears with my lunch today. You could say I'm a colonel full of kernels.
Good luck Rocky.
My FIL just had a chunk about the size of a marble removed from the bridge of his nose (got into the bone). No glasses for an indefinite period of time and disfigured for life. He's dealing with it very well so far and begins treatment next week.
Best wishes
I pray all goes well for you. This is nothing to take lightly.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Get checked, guys. This is my third go-around with skin cancer. The first time was a melanoma and the Doc called it a "Six Monther" because if you ignore it for six months, you need to write your will.
The Noma cousins are Mel and Carson. Mel is the evil one. Carson isn't as bad, but he's still nasty.
As cancers go this sounds like a good one. Can cancer and good one can be used in the same sentence? You know what I'm trying to say. Sounds like you got this!!
No condolences, But We will keep you in our thoughts and Prayers. Oakie
Sounds like you still have a positive attitude and your humor is still intact, that’s always a good sign. You’re going to be alright. Prayer is a powerful thing.
Keep up the cream . Getting ready to start on a round of something similar again. Got multiple precancerous sun damage spots that have to go . I have had three cancers removed so far and am missing a chunk of my nose also
It will turn out to be a nothing burger. I've outlived my predicted expiration date by more than half a century, and this bullet ain't monogrammed.
Good luck with it, Rocky. I've got one on my face right now, waiting for the knife. For some reason, I couldn't do the cream, so have to get MOHS in a few weeks.
Wish I could take back some of the sun exposure I've had over the years, but it's tough to avoid working on boats, and I can sweat away just about any sunscreen.
Frogdog ,two of mine have been MOH's. They took cartilage from behind my ear to build up my nose .Still looks like an angry dog bit out a chunk of the end
Best wishes, Rocky, from someone who knows exactly what you’re going through.
Had melanoma behind my right ear 1 1/2 years ago. Tumors showed up at the base of my neck necessitating a 6 1/2 surgery to remove 12 lymph glands (six were cancerous.)
Immunotherapy comprised my adrenal glands, steroids for the rest of my life.
Keep positive thoughts and you can’t ‘pinch’ every nurse. Ask me how I know. 😏
They did save my ear ,,,,,,
Wish you well Rocky, read an article claiming USAF pilots and maintenance people had an unusually high percentage of various cancers. Most claims centered around altitudes and UV radiation for aircrew. MX guys from exposure to JP 4 and Mil-H-5606.
Well I sure hope it all turns out as well as you elude to, I've been fairly lucky so far but then again if you don't tell them what is bothering you and even sometimes if you do, docs nowadays don't seem to care much... just my opinion and we all have them, wish for the best.
I'll stick with a corny ol' man. ;)
Sorry to hear it Rocky! Age does bring more doctors and other medical folk into our lives. I wish you the very best! If you do need an ear, Brownell's has always been my go to for parts.
Same here.
Keeping you inour thoughts for the best possible out come
About 12 yrs agoi knew little still notmuch about skin cancer
but a coworker who seemed healthy got it in no time it took him thats when I realized how serious it is
I've been through 2 MOHS cancer diggings on my left arm and face so far. More to come with a few more "spots" showing up recently. All have been Squamous cell. Wife has had MOHS surgery for Melanoma on her face.
I wish you all the best Rocky, and having a positive outlook like you do is a great plus to a situation where worry only gets you more health trouble! Prayers for full recovery and many more years of a happy life sent.
The US Goobermint, in all its wisdom, has declared that almost any cancer can be attributed to Agent Orange - except skin cancer. And then they deny that pilots get more skin cancer than the general population due to high altitude cosmic radiation exposure. Nice of 'em, huh?
The good part is that I do get all my meds free. I'm told that these skin chemo creams are spendy otherwise.
I haven't the slightest bit of concern about this. Because I get annual "Full Monty" checks since my last episodes, we caught this one early. (I go back to six month-checks after this.)
I've had 3 cancers removed so far. 2 on my back and 1 on my right temple. No idea why. but I go to my dermatologist on a regular schedule.
Joe
Just for the halibut (as the fishermen say...) I looked up what my chemo cream costs if I had to buy it. Jeebus what a spread!
The retail price for 24 eensy-weensy packets of Imiquimod is $122. But using one of those discount prescripto apps, it can be had for $12.
best of luck buddy !
sure wish i could use just a cream...