Skin cancer and other medical stuff...

We hear all the warnings. We try to get our yearly check-ups. But for me, too many years spent in the Florida sun back when sunscreen wasn't a big thing, means a lot of pre-cancerous spots to be frozen each year.

My check-up was generally good. One biopsy taken (results in 2-3 weeks) on my right shin and several pre-cancerour spots were frozen.

But this year the dermatologist decided it was time to try a different approach on my face. I've had several spots on my nose frozen and since I have had a lot of sunburns there, I knew it would continue to be an issue. She also found several pre-cancerous spots on my temples and cheeks.

I am now using Efudex (5% fluorouracil) on my face twice a day for two weeks. According to Google, it's actually considered chemotherapy.

"It can treat rough, raised areas of heavily sun-exposed skin (actinic or solar keratoses). It can also treat skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma)."

A good friend and fellow author, Nick Russell, went through this a few years back so I had a rough idea what I might look like. I then made the mistake of going through Google images....eeek!

I am currently on day six and see a few spots getting redder. There is a little itching in some spots and an irritation where my glasses sit seems to be sloughing off. When I can, I'm wearing readers that I can perch lower on my nose. So far the worse side effect is a strong metallic taste in my mouth a couple hours after the morning application.

I plan to take selfies to show how this progresses. My follow-up is in late July so that is how long it can take to complete the process. Oh, and did I mention, no sun if at all possible? That exacerbates the process. So broad-brimmed hats if I have to go out, but in general, I'm trying to avoid it completely.

Starting pic....the red you see is my natural complexion (and always shows in photos)

Wish me luck! I have to go out in public on May 1st (Stu's optical check to prepare for cataract surgery), May 3rd (Stu's carpel tunnel surgery on his right hand), May 7th (my mammogram), May 16th (Stu's follow-up for his hand surgery).... Growing old isn't for sissies!

Ciao for now!

Cataract Surgery & Me

I've known that I had cataracts since my mid-40's. At that time, my right eye had a small one and I was horrified. I was too young, cataracts are for old people. Right? Um, nope. LOL!

The years went by along with the annual eye exams and new prescriptions. My right eye has always been my worst, qualifying as legally blind without correction. The left eye needed correction but much less than the right. Both eye have astigmatism, the left eye joining in the fun in later years.

I did wear contacts for almost ten years, until my eyes got too dry. While it was nice to actually see my hair being cut and to be able to buy regular sunglasses off the rack. So most of my life since junior high has been spent sporting glasses. And due to hereditary dark circles under my eyes, I actually prefer how I look in glasses.

Fast forward to last year and the eye exam with new glasses. For some reason, my left eye just wasn't seeing clearly, even with the new prescription (which was checked and double-checked). Our ophthalmologist decided it was time for me to see the eye surgeon/specialist about cataract surgery. Stu had been seeing him for two years due to a question about possible glaucoma. He has cataracts, too, but last year was told they weren't severe enough to qualify for Medicare coverage.

So, off I went....and out I came, now knowing both eyes were ready for surgery. I qualified under the doctor's limits, under Medicare's limits and under my limits (I can't see/read anything clearly and haven't for a while now).

He could have scheduled me almost immediately but we were leaving in a week to head to Florida for the winter and for a cruise (our big cruise to Hawaii). So plans were made to get it scheduled this year.

And now the time is here. The left eye is scheduled for surgery on Monday, the right eye will be scheduled during one of my after-care visits. I see the the surgeon twice next week as well as getting an echocardiogram done (checking out a long history of unusual EKGs - no worries, no heart attack - LOL). This Friday I start using three different eye drops, one drop in the left eye, each drop five minutes apart. That's pretty much all I have to do to get ready for Monday.

Almost forgot the two positives - this is a VERY quick surgery and they use a sedative in an IV. Perfect for someone who is TERRIFIED of any surgery connected to her eyes.

Just for general information (and prices will vary with different doctors in different parts of the country), I was a bit staggered at what the surgery COULD cost me if I went with all the options. First, this surgeon has perfected a laser surgery that is a step above the generally accepted surgery. Unfortunately, it would be $1600 out of pocket - for each eye. Pass.

Next was choosing the lenses. I'm getting a monofocal lense. If I had opted for a multifocal, that would be another $2600 per eye. Since I have astigmatism, I could get Limbal Relaxing Incisions done - for $3200 per eye. Um, pass again.

So if I went for all three, it would end up costing between $14,000-$15,000 total for both eyes. Eeep! The doctor was very understanding when I had to pass on all three. The basic surgery with the simple lenses and I will continue to wear glasses (which will correct the astigmatism for distance vision as well as provide the necessary correction for reading).

After the left eye is done, we will pop out the left lens in my current glasses since that eye will have good distance vision. I will continue that way until the right eye is done in June. I will struggle through with no glasses for a couple of weeks, then off to get new ones that will, hopefully, last me longer than a year.

Ciao for now!