Keloid update & a new medicine: 5-FU

 Hello!

Since my last post, I’ve had some ups and downs in regard to my keloid progress. So after my last excision surgery, I was on top of my follow up care. I wore embrace around the clock 24/7, and my skin didn’t like it. I got weird welts and cuts from the folds in the embrace tape. And because it was on my chest, the placement of the tape was always wrinkly due to the concave of my chest area. So instead of wearing the tape 24/7, I would wear it for a couple of days (as long as I possibly could keep it on, which usually lasted for about 4 days even though the package says it’s supposed to stay on for 10 days), then I would give my chest 1-2 days to breath a little before placing a new embrace tape on. Even though I wanted to keep the embrace on constantly, I had to give my skin a break so it would not react negatively. Ultimately, I think it was worth a shot to try embrace but it didn’t work for me. It was expensive too! A box of 3 embrace tapes for $35 on amazon; and I couldn’t reuse the tape once it fell off. Water would get into the wrinkles when I showered. It was just not very hygienic in my opinion but I’m sure it was a combination of the placement of the tape, my sensitive skin and sweat 😅 

Sometime in May or June, my scars actually were so painful and tight. It was so scary! I was going through the pain again…I think it was a combination of stress and not wearing silicon tape over my scars. A family member had passed, and I was not staying home—so I didn’t have access to my silicon tape consistently. My keloid on my chest felt so hot. It felt like it was growing rapidly!

The physicians assistant that I’m working with has been trying out a new type of medicine (new to me) on me. In combination with kenalog injections, I’ve also been using 5-FU (fluorouracil) injections. Every 6 weeks, I have kenalog injections and in between those injections, I’ve been getting 5-FU injections every 2 weeks. 

Week 0- kenalog

Week 2 -  fluorouracil

Week 4 - fluorouracil

Week 6 - kenalog

I’ve been doing this since May, and although it’s been a slow process, I’m seeing some progress with flattening of my scars. My scars are less red. It’s also a lot softer and the PA thinks the 5-FU treatments are more effective for me. This week was actually a kenalog week, but we decided to skip it and go with 5-FU instead. I wish this medicine was used on me sooner. 

Between injections, I’m wearing medical silicon tape constantly. All day, everyday. I like it way more than embrace. It’s softer and keeps my scars moisturized and I think it’s a huge part of why my scars are flattening.

Here’s an update of what my scars look like today:

7 weeks post keloid revision surgery

Hello!

I am now 7 weeks post surgery and I've had my ups and downs with the healing process. After the surgery, my surgical site was covered by steri-strips. After 4 weeks, my bandages were taken off and replaced by embrace scar therapy bandages. These bandages control the tension on the scar, which helps to prevent my scar from stretching and growing. After wearing the embrace bandages for 2 weeks, my skin was getting irritated because of the wrinkles in the tape so the doctor and PA advised me to use biocorneum gel for a week. This allowed my skin to breath, air out, and heal from the sticky bandages.

I just visited the doctor's office again this morning, and they wanted me to try embrace again to see if it would help again. 

Without embrace scar therapy:

With embrace scar therapy:

 

I've had really positive experiences with my new care team and they have been diligent about checking my scars weekly to make sure that it's not forming another keloid. The doctor thinks we'll be able to tackle the bottom chest keloid as well once the first one heals.

Pre-Operation Photos

I’m home guys! I’m feeling pretty good. I was put under general anesthesia so I don’t remember much. I just remember the nurse putting an IV in my arm, being wheeled into a surgical room, feeling really nice because of the drugs, and then the next thing I knew...I was waking up from a super sleepy daze in the recovery room.  

The procedure took about 90 minutes. The doctor removed a chest keloid (top) scar removed and also removed a keloid on my right back shoulder. The incision site was also followed up by kenalog (steroid) injections immediately afterwards which is different from my first procedure. The risk of steroid injections after a procedure could affect the healing process, but my doctor thought this strategy outweighed the risks and could keep my wounds from becoming keloids again. They will be keeping a close eye on my wounds, and my follow up appointment is in 2 days. 

I don’t think I’ve ever post twice in a day but I wanted to post my “before” pictures. 

I haven’t seen my scars after the procedure because they are covered up and I’m not allowed to removed my dressings until 72 hours. 

I’ll keep posting and keep this blog updated as much as I can. 

Today’s the day

 On my way to the hospital for my procedure now.

Feeling nervous and scared (that the scar could come back bigger) but also hopeful that this might work. It’s been an emotional week. 

Praying that this works. ❤️

Surgery Week!

 Hello!

Just posting a quick update! Unfortunately, this process took longer than normal because of COVID-19 and office closures. Then the hospitals were way busy with more life threatening illnesses due to the holidays and flu season, and this pandemic that has caused the world to pause. WAY bigger issues than what I'm going through. Thankful that I'm healthy, my friends and family are healthy and that I get to work from home. 

Anyway, I was able to get my insurance to approve my surgery with Stanford's Plastics Department. 

My surgery/keloid removal is scheduled for this Friday (Jan 22)! 

I'm nervous, excited, scared...these scars are unpredictable man. 

I had my pre-op appointment today with the P.A. and doctor, and they laid out all the risk factors. It's scary to hear all the risks all at once, but they do have to go over them with me:

-It could come back bigger

-Open wound = possibility of infection

-Steroid injections immediately following the surgery = possibility of the scar not healing correctly

But there are also possible amazing factors:

-It heals correctly

-My scars will appear flatter

-The itch and pain will be maintained

With any surgery, comes risk factors. Keloid surgery...scary risky. But I have tried everything except for radiation therapy *which is still on the table* but we want to give this a try first. Radiation is more of a last resort move. 

Prepping for Surgery:

-No food the night before surgery (not even water, gum or coffee)

-Wash my entire body with a special soap and sponge provided by the hospital (see picture)

-I will need to take a COVID-19 test prior to surgery (scheduled for Wednesday afternoon)

-Had to speak with a anestesia specialist to make sure we were not mixing medications (last week)

Praying for better results this time around (If you read a little further back, I had my first keloid removal surgery back in 2011 at Kaiser). The scar came back. Bigger. And I've been maintaining the itch and pain with keloid injections, steroid tape and silicon tape for the past 10 years.

I will be extremely diligent and follow my doctor's plan to the t! No heavy lifting, clean dressings, and scar therapy.

They've also asked me to order a scar therapy treatment tape called "embrace" (NOT A PAID PROMOTION)

It's this scar tape that stretches and shrinks when you place it on your skin to keep your skin from stretching. I've been told it works wonders for keloid scars. I ordered a 60 day supply for about $75, and will order more if it works for me.

I'm nervous guys. But I'm also...feeling hopeful and excited that I'm trying something different with a new care team. 

Wish me luck! I will post an update after my surgery and more pics of the scar as it heals.