Thankful...ish

Jim, the boys, and I have blissfully been enjoying a little downtime this past month.  Jim loves life without the chemo wrap and gloves.  I am celebrating a happy hubby who can actually get both hands wet and help out like he used to.  And, our two crazy boys are loving our "normal" little life.  While we are so grateful for the downtime, we knew it was only temporary.

A little over a week ago, Jim came home with a bright red rash all the way around his middle and back.  Fiery and red, Jim said it felt like thorns under the skin, painful and itchy.  Certain it was from the acitretin medicine, Jim quit taking it immediately.  That medication causes the precancerous spots to peel or slough off, helping the doctors identify the cancerous spots. Thus far, it had only effected his hands and feet.  Well, Jim just happens to be married to an extremely pushy woman who insisted he see one of his dermatologists to confirm the acitretin was causing the rash and make sure it was safe to stop taking it.  He saw his VA doc right away, who did confirm Jim's hunch as to the medication being the cause and agreed that stopping it was the best plan while still being a safe option.  She also sided with the overbearing spouse and informed Jim that his medical team must be involved when making a medication change.  So, the best of both worlds... both of us stubborn mules were correct.  Since stopping the meds, the skin on his midsection is looking much better and feeling a heck of a lot more comfortable.  Whew.

Unfortunately, Jim had also noticed some dark spots on his left hand - NOT the hand that was treated with the chemo wrap.  He made an appointment with his civilian dermatologist to check these out.  In the meantime, his VA doc peeked at the spots, too.  She felt biopsies were in order, but would defer to the civilian doctor who has handled the past surgeries and the chemo treatment.  Today, Jim saw the civilian doc who agreed with the need for more biopsies.  He took three from Jim's left hand - one from the outside of his pinky finger, one from his middle finger near his hand, and the third from his wrist.  When the results come in, a plan will be made on the best course of treatment.  Right now, it sounds very likely that if any of the spots are cancerous, surgery will be the next step.  If not, Jim will probably be ready to face the chemo wrap for that hand.  Hopefully, we will get biopsy results early next week. 

Jim's left hand, 11/24/14.  Three biopsy sites.

In addition to the biopsies, the doctor also froze 6 spots on his right hand.  Thankfully, it appears like the chemo cream worked effectively in isolating those spots.  Hopefully, they will respond well to the freezing.  

Jim is doing pretty well tonight.  The biopsy sites are very tender and the spots the doctor froze are uncomfortable and burning.  Fortunately, this usually doesn't last too long.

We both are very weary and frustrated with all of this, but doing well overall.  I figure if we are still getting up each day, facing work with a smile (or some semblance of a smile), the wine hasn't run out, our children are fed and relatively clean, then we must be doing alright.  Right??  We'll keep counting our blessings and remembering all the things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving week .... like good doctors, modern medicine, our two little guys, one sweet puppy, supportive family, wonderful friends, fireball for the stubborn man and good red wine for his pushy wife.