Bad News

Keep battling brother.

We feel for you brother; it will get better! You said yourself that the first 3-5 days off the meds were the worst and you're right in that zone now- you shouldn't have too much longer in this unbearable part. Hopefully you're getting some rest with some good pain pills- if I were you, I'd try to sleep until kickoff Sunday!

"danmarino wrote:

Today has been the worst in regards to pain and itching. My headache is less intense.

I feel like something is underneath the skin on my face and trying to burst it's way out. The throbbing, burning, and itching are nearly unbearable.

It's been a few days and I see you're posting/arguing more- does that mean you're starting to feel better?

"KeyFin wrote:

It's been a few days and I see you're posting/arguing more- does that mean you're starting to feel better?

Today is the first day I feel OK. Mild discomfort. And my face is peeling, but for the most part looks like a bad sunburn. I could probably go out in public today and people would laugh thinking I feel asleep outside or something. Which is better than looking like I have a weird disease. lol

"danmarino wrote:

Today is the first day I feel OK. Mild discomfort. And my face is peeling, but for the most part looks like a bad sunburn. I could probably go out in public today and people would laugh thinking I feel asleep outside or something. Which is better than looking like I have a weird disease. lol

Awesome! Glad you're past the worst of it and able to re-join society. =)

When will you know if the treatments were 100% effective? I imagine the doctor needs a follow-up once everything heals to make sure you got it all.

"KeyFin wrote:

Awesome! Glad you're past the worst of it and able to re-join society. =)

When will you know if the treatments were 100% effective? I imagine the doctor needs a follow-up once everything heals to make sure you got it all.

I'm supposed to make an appointment once my face stops peeling.

However, and even though it's still red and peeling in spots, my skin looks so much better. I mean, I really didn't realize the amount of sun damage I had, and frankly neither did my wife, but now that the damage seems to have been burned off it's looking good.

I'm happy to say that I am no longer in any pain. Just a little itchy, and my face looks 1000x's better. In fact, I went to the grocery last night and the cashier asked if I had been out in the sun and said I should "tan up nicely"...lol....I didn't tell her the truth. This is much better than the awkward look-and-quickly-glance-down-when-I-make-eye-contact people gave me over the last month. I now know what it must feel like for those unfortunate people who are disfigured. I always thought if I acted like I didn't notice I was being kind. Turns out, that just worsens the encounter. From now on I'm just going make eye contact and smile big and wide and not look down or away when I encounter someone with an ailment of any sort.

Thanks for the prayers and well wishes.

And remember! Always use your sunscreen!

"danmarino wrote:

I'm happy to say that I am no longer in any pain. Just a little itchy, and my face looks 1000x's better. In fact, I went to the grocery last night and the cashier asked if I had been out in the sun and said I should "tan up nicely"...lol....I didn't tell her the truth. This is much better than the awkward look-and-quickly-glance-down-when-I-make-eye-contact people gave me over the last month. I now know what it must feel like for those unfortunate people who are disfigured. I always thought if I acted like I didn't notice I was being kind. Turns out, that just worsens the encounter. From now on I'm just going make eye contact and smile big and wide and not look down or away when I encounter someone with an ailment of any sort.

Thanks for the prayers and well wishes.

And remember! Always use your sunscreen!

Wonderful news! Thanks be to God! My prayers are that this ends your ordeal once and for all!

That's awesome! Glad you're finally getting there and the worst has passed.

"danmarino wrote:

I'm happy to say that I am no longer in any pain. Just a little itchy, and my face looks 1000x's better. In fact, I went to the grocery last night and the cashier asked if I had been out in the sun and said I should "tan up nicely"...lol....I didn't tell her the truth. This is much better than the awkward look-and-quickly-glance-down-when-I-make-eye-contact people gave me over the last month. I now know what it must feel like for those unfortunate people who are disfigured. I always thought if I acted like I didn't notice I was being kind. Turns out, that just worsens the encounter. From now on I'm just going make eye contact and smile big and wide and not look down or away when I encounter someone with an ailment of any sort.

Thanks for the prayers and well wishes.

And remember! Always use your sunscreen!

It's been another week- are you close to being back to normal? Have you had the follow-up yet?

"KeyFin wrote:

It's been another week- are you close to being back to normal? Have you had the follow-up yet?

You can barely tell I had any treatments at all. My face is slightly red. So faint it doesn’t even look like a sunburn or anything. I have a follow up in about a week. It really sucked, but totally worth it. My wife said I look so young and my face is so smooth. Lol

"danmarino wrote:

You can barely tell I had any treatments at all. My face is slightly red. So faint it doesn’t even look like a sunburn or anything. I have a follow up in about a week. It really sucked, but totally worth it. My wife said I look so young and my face is so smooth. Lol

Awesome, very good news!

"danmarino wrote:

You can barely tell I had any treatments at all. My face is slightly red. So faint it doesn’t even look like a sunburn or anything. I have a follow up in about a week. It really sucked, but totally worth it. My wife said I look so young and my face is so smooth. Lol

That's unfortunate.

"danmarino wrote:

First, let me just say that I'm not asking for sympathy or anything like that. The main reason I'm posting this here is in the hopes that I may be able to help someone down the line.

The bad news: On Tuesday I was diagnosed with skin cancer. The dermatologist cut off a few lesions (and when I say lesions I mean things so small I never really noticed them) right then and there after inspecting me. However, and due to many more on my face and arms (again, not really noticeable to the naked eye) he said I will have to go through a round of chemo.

The good news: The cancer is not melanoma so it is highly treatable and not nearly as aggressive. Also, the chemo is something called Efudex which is topical and not systemic. So no hair loss, etc that people usually think of with chemo. However, I will most likely go through around 2 months of extreme pain, unsightliness, and fatigue. Here are some pictures of people using Efudex:

[ATTACH:full]
[ATTACH:full]
[ATTACH:full]

Basically, what this chemo does is melt the entire top layer of skin off. The body will then, hopefully, start anew with fresh, non-cancerous, skin and I'll look 10 years younger! lol

So, I'm 44 years old, have 5 young kids and a wife. I was born and raised in Florida, have Irish and Scottish heritage. Always fished, surfed, sailed, sunbathed, etc, etc....I always thought, I'll be OK and rarely used sunscreen. This treatment is better than the alternative, but boy do I wish I'd used more sunscreen and covered up in the sun more. So all you young guys/gals, no matter your skin tone/color, take care of your skin!

how you doing from this Dano?

I'm good, deej. I get checked every 6 months and so far cancer free! Thanks for asking.

Great.. Somehow I missed the original thread..

Dano how you doing ?

"djphinfan wrote:

Dano how you doing ?

Hey Deej...I'm doing well! You?

"danmarino wrote:

Hey Deej...I'm doing well! You?

Doing good bud, angry at the world and people but otherwise peaceful :)