Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to share my story. I was first diagnosed with BCC(Basal Cell Carcinoma) at around ten years old. I have been through many treatments and Dermatologist(one good one, the rest bad). I am currently useing Carac Cream for Aktinik Karatosis on my face. I am starting to look bad, but it beats being cut on again. After my face I will do my chest and arms. I guess my warning is for teenagers and young adults. Stay away from Tanning Salons and use SUN BLOCK always. This is the only skin you are going to get so take care of it. Here is a web site I created to help others.
http://web.mac.com/aks2/Site/About_Me.html
Amen, Jim. Checked out your site and it's really nice. I'm only a couple of years ahead of you (1958) but same M.O. as a kid (iodine and baby oil). Never even heard of sunblock.
After several BCC diagnosesin the past, I'm currently, I'm at home recovering from quite an extensive Moh's surgery (nose) and nasal reconstruction by a plastic surgeon. If only the kids would look at our pics BEFORE they go out in the sun....... I'm sure it would change their minds.
God bless,
Annie
Hi Rebecca,
Sorry to hear about you bcc. Getting one on my nose has always been my biggest fear. I am not sure why your doctor gave you the choice of Mohs or Aldara. With Mohs surgery you can be sure that the entire cancer is gone. I haven't used Aldara, so I can't offer you any advice. If your doctor thinks that it is small and superficial I would go with Effudex or Aldara. And also make sure that your Doctor is skilled with surgery or have a plastic surgeon do it. I know I have had some terribly un-skilled Dermatologist do surgery on me. I have a "Frankenstein" scar on my forehead from one of them. I wouldn't let anyone but my current Dr. do any surgery on my face. He is an extremelly skilled Surgeon and removed another BCC off of my forehead and you can't even see the scar. I hope this helps. Oh and yes, I did take down my sight temporarily. I am doing a little revamp. I hope this helps a little and best of luck. I will send possitive thoughts your way for a great out-come
Jim
Hi Rebecca,
I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It's difficult to understand just how anxiety provoking it can be, unless you've gone through it personally. Fortunately, with BCC, you can take your time to make the best informed decision regarding treatment since it grows fairly slowly. I don't know too much about Aldara except that it's usually only given for AK or superficial BCC. If your doc gave you Aldara as a choice, it sounds as though you might have caught the BCC early. My choices were radiation therapy or excision with reconstruction. I had Morpheaform BCC which was quite extensive (tends to grow underneath (kind of like an iceberg). However, on a good note, I had my surgery in August '07 and after a few laser treatments, it looks pretty darn good. There is some slight thinckening of the tissue but I've been told it should go down in the course of a year.
Take you time interviewing physicians. Ask them if you can get some personal referrals. Ask them how long they have bee practicing, are they board certified and, if they are a surgeon, - how many times have they performed the procedure. It's your nose, be aggressive with your questions. If they are worth their salt, they will not be offended (I'm an RN at a major academic facility).
Good luck to you and I'll send good thoughts your way.
Anne
meannie
Im using carac cream post scc of the nose removed with mohs.. Is this even helping me on the scc.. I guess my doctor is just weeding the area... I also have Dermatitis/ezema diagnosed on feb. 14th. So can't tell what is dry due to rash or aks.. The carac cream is really drying and I wonder if it is worth it sometimes??? Somebody please say something positive this is not one of my good carac cream days..
I feel so sad.... I'm only 44...
Annie
Did you ever use the topical chemo creams?? Glad to hear you are recovering... I'm thankful for mohs surgery... I just wish I would have been smarter in the choices I now have to live every day with... Only 44
I wish you all the best - I also have a decision to make - using carac or having cyrosurgery - I think I'm opting for the cyrosurgery although the doctor keeps pushing the carac. Since the AK is on the bridge of my nose and he wants me to put the cream all over my nose, I don't really want to go that route. How are you finding the carac? Would appreciate any input. Thanks, Rose L.
Hi there. I can definitely understand the dilemma you are facing. I just underwent Mohs on the bridge of my nose for bcc and Mohs on my ear for infiltrative bcc about three weeks ago. The scar on my nose is minimal, a fine light pink "scratch". I had reconstruction/skin grafting on my ear lobe. Thankfully, that has also healed beautifully. I was fortunate to have found an incredible dermatologist and plastic surgeon. Unfortunately, however, I am now faced with using Carac cream on my entire face. During my follow-up with my dermatologist, I expressed concern regarding a rough patch on the side of my nose. I was hoping that he would just freeze it or burn it off but unfortunately he insisted on using Carac cream. I was extremely anxious about using the cream although I knew that rationally it was the best option.
Yes, it is difficult but it is amazing and scary to see all that it uncovers on your face. I am presently on my 8th day of treatment and quite honestly I never would have thought that I had all these "precancerous patches" on my face prior to using the Carac cream. Knowing what I do now, I am very glad that I am using the Carac cream as a preventative measure and to hopefully prevent further Mohs or other surgeries.
I hope this information is somewhat helpful. I wish you good luck and a speedy, easy recovery with whatever treatment choice you make.
I would also like to thank everyone for all for the support and comforting words.
It truly does make a difference and greatly helps in the process.
Thank you for the informative post - I truly hope all goes well for you - I have decided not to use the carac cream since I will not be able to stay indoors and have many obligations this month before returning to work in an early childhood school. The doctor was sort of leaning toward the carac but he did say the decision was mine - I know he would have preferred that I use the carac but I just could not go through that right now with all that is going on in my life right now. I know you made the right decision by using the carac and I admire you for making that decision.