Life of Wry

I have been on Efudex (also known as fluorouracil cream) for eighteen days now. Efudex is a topical chemotherapy cream used in the treatment (elimination) of skin pre-cancers (actinic keratoses). I think I’m in what they call the skin erosion phase, which means my face feels like a stiff mask. It’s red, splotchy, a bit crusty in parts. No pictures to share. You’re welcome.

I just spent a bunch of time in the googles reading other people’s experience of it and am feeling some solidarity and comfort in group misery. I’m in good company with other efudex users world wide, at least. Oddly reassuring. In fact, I just bought some cream that a lot of people in Australia seem to think works miracles in easing the discomfort. Thank you internet.

I even read that efudex is useful in treating small wrinkles, brown spots, and other pigmentation and texture irregularities (like a chemical peel, they say). That is a superb bunch of benefits, if true. If it does even a little bit of any of that, it makes this almost worth it. I’m dubious, but we shall see.

I also read numerous instructions that are different than the protocol I’m following which is concerning (like, don’t wash it off for at least 8 hours, don’t apply to your nose, or that 3 weeks is a minimum but 4 weeks is better). I’ll take this up with my Kaiser guy next week.

Anyway, I’m extremely cranky. Just doused myself in Aquafor and heading for the barn.