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Sun 14 Feb, 2010 11:42 am
I waited to see if Butrflynet posted the progress of her skin cancer treatment. She didn't, so I am.
My primary care doctor referred Butrflynet to a dermatologist whom she saw on January 22nd. She told the doctor that she doesn't have health insurance and is not working because she is caring for me. We are waiting for the skin tests results. The doctor used a local pain killer and immediately removed the cancerous skin on her chin and on the right side of her back. She only charged Butrflynet half of what she normally would charge, which we greatly appreciated. If she had referred Butrflynet to the hospital, it would have cost over $5,000. The doctor also gave her enough sample packages of medical salve to kill the cancer cells so we didn't have to pay for expensive medicine. WHAT NICE DOCTORS! Both my primary physician and the dermatologist!
The treatment is painful. Butrflynet is having a severe reaction to the medicine and to the covering bandage adhesive in addition to some reaction on her internal organs. This was expected. I have to change the bandages on her back wound because she can't reach it.
Butrflynet will see the doctor the first week in March. The doctor said she wouldn't charge Butrflynet for the post exam. How kind of her! Butrflynet will bake some cookies to take to thank the doctor.
I hate to see her hurting, but I'm so relieved that Butrflynet has received the cancer treatment she needed so much.
BBB
@BumbleBeeBoogie,
Ahhh, my nightmare. I'm glad to hear she is getting proper care. My experience has also been positive when dealing directly with doctors and my lack of insurance. I've always been able to pay them cash and they have always given me a discount (usually a medicaid rate). The ones who don't compromise are the labs, they charge more for tests if you do not have insurance.
I hope you are both on your way to feeling better very soon.
I hope her pain eases soon, BBB... send her my love.
@BumbleBeeBoogie,
I hope she comes out of her treatments successfully. All the best from me!
{{{{{BFN & BBB}}}}}
@BumbleBeeBoogie,
My prayers are with you and Butrflynet, BBB. Stay well.
@BumbleBeeBoogie,
Here are some golden yarrow flowers for
Butrflynet to meditate on.
Here's to a quick and comfortable period of healing. Get well soon
Butrflynet!
@BumbleBeeBoogie,
Oh, I'm very glad Butrflynet got the treatment, and happy about the physicians.
Oof on the painfulness part of it, and the reactions to the medicine.
@BumbleBeeBoogie,
Thanks for letting us know, BBB. I hope both you and your daughter are okay in spite of the health challenges.
@BumbleBeeBoogie,
Well, damn.
I hope you are both feeling much better soon!
@dlowan,
Hoping you're both feeling better soon. And yay for caring doctors!
@edgarblythe,
Quote:I like that doctor.
So do I, edgar. There should be more like that.
Thank you, BBB for telling us. My very best wishes to go to Bytrflynet. I so hope all goes well with her treatment.
How are you, BBB?
I talked about it on Facebook so many of the folks here already know about it. Also, it was February 8th, not January 22nd. Just a few days ago...
The wound from the removal of the cancer on my chin is about the size of a quarter now, and the one on my back is about the size of a small lima bean.
The medication, imiquimod, is doing the job. It activates the entire lymph system and focuses it onto the location where the cream is applied. It is very strong, gives you flu-like symptoms and most of my lymph nodes are hugely swollen and tender; especially the ones under my chin above the thyroid area and in my armpits. The wounds are crusting over like they are supposed to, but because they are in spots that get a lot of movement (my chin and on my shoulder blade) the scabs are constantly cracking open and weeping. Tried using several different brands and types of bandages to protect my clothing and keep it from rubbing on the wound, but my body is suddenly having a reaction to the adhesives that I've never had before. Large red welts appeared everywhere the bandages have touched.
I resorted to wearing old shirts that are loose enough to not rub on the wounds when I have to move around. It's only six weeks of treatment and I can handle that.
I get the biopsy results next week and hopefully they will confirm that they are basal cell cancers, the least harmful of the types.
Putting my hoper into high gear for a good outcome, bfn.
@Butrflynet,
I started looking up about non allergenic bandage adhesives, though I figure you've already done that. One answer was gauze wraps - but I figure the position of your surgery sites make that hard to use.
@Butrflynet,
Oh yikes, that sounds horribly unpleasant. Definitely hoping for the basal cell cancer diagnosis. Feel better soon...
@ossobuco,
When I next make one of my almost daily trips to Walgreen's for something, I'm going to tell the pharmacist what the problem is and ask him for some recommendations on what to use if I don't get some recommendations from the dermatologist tomorrow when I call her to ask about the tenderness in my lymph nodes.
@Butrflynet,
You should eat more oatmeal for breakfast as oatmeal is good for the skin.
@msolga,
msolga
All of my blood thinner tests and other tests are OK. The pain pills allow me to do some activities if I'm careful.
Maddy and Dolly doggies are supervising Butrflynet's progress.
BBB
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