Day 6 - October 31, 2010

“Feel” sunburned.  Reassuring that it isn’t just my cheeks, which did see sun yesterday, but also forehead, which had a headband on, so no sun.  Noticing even in the car, the heat through window is getting a little uncomfortable.  Maybe not so much uncomfortable, as noticeable?   Starting to see some of the spots become more red.

Rode a little 24-miler and just starting to "feel" the sun, but certainly not painful whatsoever.

Night – Starting to itch more and I “feel” sunburned now.  Easiest way to kinda “scratch' is big yawning and screwing my mouth and nose all about!   Sounds & looks goofy, but stretches all that skin and kinda scratches it J

Day 5 - October 30, 2010

Rode a 200k today and didn’t feel any issues.  Used the spray-on Neutrogena and carried one of the Skinceutical samples in case I felt my skin feeling like too much sun.  Fought pretty good head and crosswind for about 90-100 miles of the total 131 miles and didn't notice any bad feelings from the wind.  Was concerned about it, so I was thrilled at the finish.

Day 4 - October 29, 2010

After reading the FAQs really wanted some clarification about using/not using anything on top of the Efudex like makeup.  Candace was extremely helpful.  I love it when someone says “they’re not available, but can I try to help you?”  She basically said the makeup issue is one of pain.  If it isn’t painful to apply something on top, it’s generally considered OK.  She point blank assured me it would not decrease the efficacy.  That was the biggee.

Day 3 - October 28, 2010

Called Dr. office and Margarita was great as the others.  I asked about application methods & amount.  Concerned at first I used too much because it was still “tacky” an hour later, now wonder if I’m not using enough?  Sheesh, I just want to do this right and get it behind me.  Also asked about the different sunscreen types I didn’t know about and then lost it.  Margarita said the Neutrogena I bought was great and that’s why Dr. recommends it.  Recommends?  Nobody has recommended NOTHING!  After 3wks with no days off and 12hr days, I jumped and unloaded.  It struck me then,

-          I am NOT the first person to do this

-          I am NOT the first with these questions

-          I was really told NOTHING by Dr. except shown the shocking pictures, cautioned that the treatment should be in winter (yes, November qualifies as winter) and that green concealer under my makeup would help with the redness

Margarita volunteered a FAQ sheet and to come in to the office.  With my 7 or 8 phone calls, I’m hoping my questions are answered, so no thanks.  No more visits right now.

Got the FAQ’s and geeee, some of my questions from the past 2wks are right here!  What a concept!

-          How to apply (though nothing about it taking an hour to dry)

-          Don’t use cosmetics (direct contradiction to Dr. )

-          Ask the dr. about sunscreen (gee, did that and just got told “yes”)

So, again, with my normal approach to life, I think “how can THIS not happen again, so I’m starting a FAQ of my own.  May go in the trash, but at least I can offer it to Dr. at the end of my treatment.  Not even sure now I can remember them all, since I’ve called her so many times.

Day 2 - October 27, 2010

Noticing more light itching today.  Is it the cream or am I just noticing it more?  Still used my same cases and brushes - bought 4 pillowcases today to switch.  Nothing visual yet J

At a Dr's "Girl's Night Out" I talked w/2 people who had used it and had 2 cautions.  Sunscreen – Yes, Dr. confirmed when I asked about sunscreen & cycling, but Lori says the chemical ones (like the Neutrogena Sport SPF85  I just bought) have ingredients, like alcohol!, and will cause “severe pain.”  She said the sunscreen should be the “block” kind with zinc oxide & titanium dioxide.  Sheesh, I can’t even buy sunscreen right for this deal.  Lori was reassuring with application, recovery, etc. as she did it before her MOHS surgery.  She also said she thought the wind probably hurts most of all.  Crap, that makes sense!

Day 1 - October 26, 2010

More questions (Nurse Sarah).  I asked about the tackiness and it is supposed to dry & she thought an hour should do it, she suggested 2hrs before bedtime, which doesn’t really work with my lifestyle!  Also, said wait about 10minutes after washing face to apply to make sure skin is dry.  I don't always HAVE 10 minutes, so turned my hair dryer on cool & low and gently blew my face thoroughly dry.  Works for me!  Sarah re-cautioned about rubbing eyes and lips, which was a concern of mine while I sleep, but not a lot to do about it.  Asked about ruining my pillowcases and she didn’t sound too convinced I wouldn’t, so she recommended changing pillowcases every night, maybe 2 would be a good precaution.  Also agreed make-up brushes, etc. should be disposable. Don’t know how to do that one yet cuz I sure like my brushes.  Then she kinda smirked, so I pressed and she said when the sores come I will NOT be wanting to wear make-up, but keep strong and always always come see them if there’s any questions. 

Starting - October 25, 2010

Started the Efudex tonight.  Put on verrrry lightly and noticed some tingly for maybe an hour.  Stayed “tacky” feeling for an hour, but was time to go to sleep, so just hope I don’t rub it all off tonight. 

Before starting Efudex

Why:
Dr. says I have the wrong skin for living in Texas and the wrong skin for all my hobbies!  I've preferred being outside most of my life.  First horses, now ultra-cycling, plus all the other hobbies I have and have had like scuba diving, any water sports, hiking, whatever, I'd just rather be outside!  I'm almost 50 now and 40yrs ago, it was "normal" to bake in the Texas sun.  We really didn't know any different.  As I got older, sunscreen and all that goes with, became more of a norm.  Still I've had the demented view that "brown fat is better than white fat!"  So, with my history, my mom's history and new info, I'm using the chemotherapy drug Efudex.  My understanding is it destroys both aktinic keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinoma....both the cancers and pre-cancers you can see and those below the skin surface that you can NOT see.  Doctor was very non-judgemental during my body scan, even going so far as to say I didn't look "bad" just some things to address.  The overall plan/reason is to pull out latent skin cancers before they become issues and before I need to get cut on!  My "Snow White skin" mother just had 2 different Mohs surgeries on her face.  I'm hoping to prevent that if I can.

Week Before:

In my usual manner, doing my darndest to think “everything” through and have a plan! Surprises just cost angst and time...neither of which I have in a large supply! Called the Dr. office 3x this week (Jackie I think?) for some basic info and hopefully I’ve got my mental & physical plan in place to eat this whale.  Don’t know what to expect obviously, but they say do it in winter, so November seems a great option.  They suggested after Holidays, but of course little ol’ thing called Stock Show 7days/wk for 2months and a million people means it would have to be March when the sun is increasing, so Dr. suggested sooner is better.  Took a big gulp and decided to tackle November as the “rough time.” 

Day Before:

Pharmacist recommended testing for allergic reaction. I was crushed thinking this might delay things a few days and I might lose my nerve, but he laughed and said “no, you’ll know in about 30 minutes.”  Whew.  All went fine.