Dermatology Day

Today...  is my quarterly visit to my Dermatologist... 
sometimes, I forget that my Oncologist directed me to visit a Dermatologist every 3 months after my Melanoma decided to relocate itself to my groin area from my foot.  Since I have been visiting with this Dermatologist, I have had half a dozen SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMAS surgically removed from my body, the first one appeared right smack dab on the top of my head.

I'll never forget that one because, a few days after surgery, my wife and I were going on a cruise, so instead of letting it heal naturally, the surgeon put a couple of stitches in it.  It felt rather odd going around the ship with a patch on my head, especially at dinner where everyone had nothing better to do that make sure you got their full attention when you entered or had to pass by their table.

Incidentally, Squamous cell carcinomas are a NATURAL BYPRODUCT of receiving chemo and it appears they will appear even after you have received immunotherapy as well...  at least for me they have.

Facial Skin Infection

For the last two months, I have been taking Minocycline, which is an antibiotic designed to eliminate infections on the surface of the face that appear like raised bumps (but not acne) that itch and when scratched, a yellowy ooze comes out of them.

The medicine was prescribed by my Dermatologist who said I could take these pills twice a day until the infections cleared up, or I could take them until, he saw me again in 3 months.

I decided to take them for 2 months which ended yesterday and that I would see what happens to my facial skin before I return to my Dermatologist in a month, especially since there were no side effects that were associated with stopping this medication, "cold turkey," as is the case with some meds.

Besides, I was really concerned with the negative impacts of long term usage of this drug which he implied I might be taking for a while...

I only want to take those meds that I absolutely have to take to regulate my body appropriate for its age and on-going medical conditions.

A Good Day

The middle of May 2020 will be looked back upon as a transition point for my change of health conditions which could alter in a heartbeat, but this has definitely been a transition month for the better.

First, my Cardiologist, after wearing a heart monitor for a month, said I no longer had to take Xarelto, the super duper blood thinner.  So now, my arms will no longer show the blue and black tattoo bruises that have been so obvious recently.

Second, my Dermatologist put me on an antibiotic that is dealing rather well with my skin infection that was present on my face, little welts that itched and when scratched bled real bad and turned the area around the welt a dark shade of red, but not really a bruise.  

My Oncologist sent through an order for monthly IVIG infusions, so within a couple of four months with these and my sinus infections should stop and it should also help with my skin infections and perhaps I can stop taking the antibiotic.

My ongoing cancer treatments for Lymphoma and Opdivo seem to continue to be working in that there is no metabolic activity present with either cancer which is a very good sign and it is hoped that this will continue to be the case.

My weight is down 30 pounds largely due to three factors:

1. I am counting and reducing my calorie intake
2. My staph infection and loss of appetite
3. My colon cleanse for my colonoscopy

And...  while I am still about 20 pounds over-weight I still feel a lot better physically not that I have shed 30 pounds.

My constant fatigue has almost disappeared and has become intermittent and my daily nausea has disappeared as there have been no signs of that for weeks.  My appetite has returned but I do not feel constantly hungry.

My diet is totally focused on fish, chicken, beans, and vegetables with heavy doses of onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic, along with eggs, oatmeal, non-processed cheeses, whole wheat breads.

My sleep habits are uninterrupted and I no longer feel the need to take afternoon naps nor do I wake up still feeling sleepy after sleeping for 8-10 hours.

These are all good signs for a person of 73 years of age.

No Visits This Week

I have gone all week without a visit with one of my doctors...  and while it is nice not to have to see a doctor...  I am thankful that I have got all my visits behind me and can just stay home...

My Cardiologist says I no longer have to take Xarelto because the heart monitor I wore showed no signs of afib...  and, that my afib was probably only associated with a specific event like a staph infection and being sepsis.

My Urologist says that my PSA results are higher than normal but that might just be typical for me now especially after a recent biopsy of the prostate showed no signs of cancer...  plus, prostate cancer is very slow growing and fairly easy to control.

My Oncologist says that my recent CT scan showed that my two cancers had showed no signs of activity which is good but I am to continue with the Imbruvica (Lymphoma) and Opdivo (Melanoma) to ensure similar results in the future.  Because my treatments over the last 13 years have left me with a bad Thyroid, anemia, and an immune system that is almost non-existent, I will be receiving monthly IVIG treatment for a while.

My Dermatologist says that my full body scans are showing no signs of any pre-cancers but I am encountering a skin infection that will require on-going medication to correct.  It is an antibiotic and my concern is that it could damage my organs or not be affective down the road.

Those are good results to have for a person with my age and diseases but it was nice not to have to get cleaned up and go anywhere...