Hey Chubbs!!

Jim's Fortune!  

So, just like his fortune, today was humorous, surprising, and kind of crummy, without being horrible...yet.  I am learning that this journey with Jim is completely unpredictable.  Completely.  

This morning, we headed to the dermatologist ready for surgery on Jim's right hand.  The doctor looked at both hands and started talking us through options.  We covered everything from operating on the right ..... or maybe the left, chemo on the right ..... or maybe on the left, and even the thought of surgery on one hand and chemo on the other.  YIKES!  Factoring in the number of spots on Jim's right hand (2 known cancer and 4-5 probable spots) and the obvious need to have one functional hand in day to day life (no, we don't have a bidet and there are some tasks that just don't fit within those "sickness and health" vows), the doctor concluded that topical chemo on his right hand and waiting to address the spots on his left was the best option for now.  We asked about how strange this journey has been and the doctor confirmed Jim is a very atypical case.  He hasn't seen skin cancer like this very often before, but definitely not in a guy who isn't elderly.  He also thought it was interesting how the cancer has come up in sections of lesions and not just individual spots.  How fun for us!!!  

The spots aren't really visible in today's picture, but the new questionable locations are between his thumb and pointer finger, on his fingers, and on the sides of his hands. 

Jim's hands - 10/1/14

Now, Jim is getting the "5- FU" treatment...sounds about right!  5-FU is officially called "fluorouracil."  It is a type of topical chemotherapy.  Today, the nurse applied a "chemo wrap."  (Not tasty like a club wrap or relaxing like a mud wrap.)  She applied a liberal layer of chemo cream, covered it in a plaster type wrapping, then covered it all with a layer of medical wrapping.  Jim kind of looks like he is wearing an ace bandage mitten.  He will keep this on for a week, then return to the nurse to remove the wrapping, apply a new dose of the 5-FU cream, and wrap it up again.  This will continue for about a month or so.  The doctor will keep a close eye on the process and make changes as needed.  When the chemo treatment is finished on Jim's right hand, it will be continued on his left.  Merry Christmas!

Chemo Wrap 10/1/14

While we were quite relieved to avoid surgery and the possibility of a skin graft, we are both very wary about the side effects of the chemo.  Our nurse is really awesome and was very candid with us.  She said it will burn, itch, and get scabby.  She shared that when we feel frustrated or ready to quit, to keep in mind that this cream only burns cancerous spots.  If applied to healthy skin, it wouldn't cause any sensations.  So, when we feel like throwing in the towel, she said to remember the burning means that it is actively attacking cancer.  By all accounts, this will probably be a difficult treatment for Jim to endure, but given the number of spots and how this keeps creeping up, this is probably his best option.  It definitely sounds like it is worth a shot.  

Sitting back and reflecting on Jim's new club hand... I have started referring to Jim as Chubbs from Happy Gilmore.  (Nothing short of supportive spouse in this house!)  This says it all:  (hey... Pop.... lots of swearing in this video, not parental appropriate at all.  Consider this fair warning!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDR_yTik_xo

Let's just hope Jim's hand doesn't get run over.  Although, hook hand(s) would make Halloween extra special!  And, according to Jim, Halloween should be a year long celebration!!  He should be careful what he wishes for!