Anyone experience spots
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Louise…..I don’t know whether there is a correlation however, I wanted to point out a posting by michmed on July 17th who, amongst other issues is also describing a skin rash.
MarionMy cc bracelet came in handy today! I went to the dermatologist, as I said above was the next step in dealing with my rash. With one look, he said it looked like Grover’s disease. Since the cells of Grover’s disease are distinctive, they took a sample of my skin to send off for a pathology report. I looked up Grover’s disease on the internet, and there is a picture that my husband says looks like my back. The rash is typical of men in their 50s and may be triggered by heat (does that mean radiation?). Hubby suggested that since I went thru menopause, maybe my body’s hormones are still messed up and here I am with a typically male rash. There is no cure, just treatment of symptoms. However, it tends to go away after a year or so.
Because I had mentioned having radiation therapy, they asked what kind of cancer. When I named it, neither the doctor nor the nurse seemed to have a clue what it was. After seeing the spelling on the bracelet, the doctor guessed enough to mention my gall bladder, but the spelling said more to him than the pronunciation did. My follow-up appointment to remove the stitch and to get results of the pathology report is scheduled for July 31. Just what I need–another disease that people do not know! At least Grover’s seems to have a better prognosis and a standard protocal for treatment. The following link has probably been most informative for me: http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/grovers_disease.html
I’m not sure at this point if treatment is a topical ointment, a pill, or both, but I expect if Grover’s is confirmed with the path report, I’ll have prescriptions on July 31.
I’ll be posting what I learn on the 31. Until then, my prayers for all.
Louise
I am so sorry to hear that dad is going in to Hospice. No one can believe the torment physically and mentally that everyone on this site goes through. Sometimes I just say to myself that it has to STOP! Not one more! Today I wrote a letter to Lance Armstrong. Not sure it will do any good but I did it anyway. Stay strong Steely girl you are one great daughter.
hehehe That’s cute!! Good to know. Teddy for teddy bear obviously? Sounds like such a strong strong man!
Next week my dad goes into Hospice. You expect it, but then when it actually happens it’s difficult to process. Dad said on the phone he didn’t think that he was going to make it much longer. Heartbreaking. He has lost his hearing, another side effect of radiation or liver failure, who knows? The last 2 weeks they have sucked something like 40 litres of fluid out of him. They are putting in a permanent suction. We got the news back from the scan on Monday. Tuesday was my birthday so even when I asked my mom about it she didn’t want to tell me for fear that it would upset me too much? Naw, upset me? Im a steel doll these days. I will be visiting him very soon! Smiles through tears for my cholangiocarcinoma family!
You are too funny, Marion. Actually his initials are SDS and he says it means
(hope I can do this on this site) Some Dumb S–T. Sorry if I offended anyone and if I did pretend it means spit!That is a great name, Lainy. We have to make sure to have a name tag for Teddy at the next conference coming your way. (If you are up to it.) Teddy won’t even have to step forward and greet people instead, he will draw attention by his name only.
Hugs
MarionThat is his nickname. His name is Salvatore Dominic and he has a lot of nicknames but most often Teddy. Now I am not sure sure I totally believe this but we were told that even though the radiation was given from the front in to the stomach, it pushes its way out the back. I guess because I wanted an answer and it was not another serious matter, I am a believer. When Teddy had radiation mostly he just got extremely tired and it lasted for about 2 months. Great luck on the PET and please let us know the outcome. You know they say it’s darkest before a storm? I say it’s darkest before a PET Scan (Teddy has them every 3 months since he had the cyber knife) then hopefully you get good news.
Thank you everybody
Thank you Marion….I’ll figure out what kind and get back to you.
Lainy, I think you are right. Was your hubby’s name Ted? My dad’s name is Ted. Anyways, I think it is a result of the radiation. It’s interesting you say the spots showed up on his back when the radiation was done to the front. My father’s radiation was done in his neck where there is a crack as a result of bone mets. and the spots are all over his chest and stomach. Not sure if hes experienced itching from it. He also mentioned something about a large vein popping out on his stomach and after doing some reading i came across varicose veins. It went on to say that one symptom of liver failing is “bleeding of the varicose veins at the lower end of the esophagus and in the stomach lining.” I dont want to worry about it too much, just wait to see if the radiation has exacerbated his symptoms.
Asher and Louise….we can always contact the companies directly. If you would like, I will do it for you. Please, give us the specifics about the radiation what type, and how often.
Thanks
MarionAsher,
I had 28 days of radiation this spring, and I started having tiny spots about the end of the 28 days. The rash has gotten worse and the itch drives me nuts at times, but it is not the same itch as I had with jaundice, so I’ve talked with my family physician, with my primary oncologist, and with the radiation oncologist’s nurse, who consulted the doctor and got back to me. Since the radiation was finished April 2 and we’re into July now, they don’t think it is related to the radiation. I’ve just started using the new ointment they prescribed for me, and I’m not convinced it’s working but the suggestion was that the next step would be to see a dermatologist. The rash for me is all over the back and around the breasts, and one question was whether it might be shingles, but I said I didn’t think so because there has not been any blister/oozing or pain that I would expect from shingles. The doctors who’ve looked at the rash don’t believe it is shingles, either. So I’m still looking for answers, too. I did have full blood chemistries done less than two weeks ago, and all levels came back in the normal range, suggesting that the rash is not related to the cancer or treatment, but I’m stil not convinced.I think I”ll be seeking a dermatologist next week, but seeing this series, I’m still inclined to suspect the radiation as a cause. What I really want is a solution. Please keep us posted about your dad. I’m praying for you both.
Louise
Asher, not sure what color spots you are referring to but when Teddy had radiation last summer he got spots that were not red but more of a light beige in color. It was from the radiation. You dad may also get some itching from it. Even though Teddy’s radiation was given from the front the spots and itching occurred on the back.
Asher….you may want to read up the following link:http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/radiation-therapy-and-you/page6.
Good wishes coming your way,
MarionHello,
Dad just finished a real nasty week of Radiation. Does anyone know if spotting on the stomach is normal? I am far from my father and so I can only go on what he tells me over the phone. He is not very descriptive. Maybe if anyone can tell me what skin abnormalities are normal with radiation i can probe him more? Or could this be a sign that the liver is failing, and it is the toxins coming out in the skin? They did blood tests this past week because they are certain it is liver failure that is occurring.
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