On the road to recovery again...

Sept 2017 vs. April 2017

This would be my third keloid injection this year (Jan, March now April)
My doctor usually uses lidocaine cream to numb my scars before injecting them with 40mg Kenalog (while the nurse sprays it with a numbing biofreeze). It makes the injections way more tolerable!

My doctor wants to try one more round before giving it a break. She says it's not good to keep injecting it, and that she wants to see how my skin will react. If the keloid starts to itch and grow again, then I will go back in for another round of shots.

Update

Hello!
Just an update!

I started Kenalog injections again.
Seems like it's working---there is sinking in the middle and overall my scars seem less raised and less painful. I'm also using Cordran Tape again. I don't know if it works, but at least it protects/reminds me to not scratch.

My next appointment is next week. Will try to post another blog/pic right after my treatment.

-C

Intense Light Pulse Laser & Steroid Injections

I had an appointment for a consultation with a Cosmetic & Plastics Specialist yesterday. I've been contemplating whether or not to reach out to specialists in the Los Angeles area, but thought I should do some research for people around my area first (San Francisco Bay).

Anyway, the appointment went well. I explained to my doctor that I've been getting on and off treatments for my scars for a few years but I was interested in other approaches.

She suggested that we try intense pulse light laser treatments, immediately followed by steroid injections for 4 weeks at a time. So I had my first pulse light treatment, which was super quick!

Pulse Light Laser:

Basically, I sat down on a chair (kinda looked like a dentist chair), and she put googles on me to protect my eyes from the laser flashes. I didn't feel any pain. It just felt like quick puffs of air, and flashes of heat. It kind of reminded me of camera lights flashing. It probably lasted less than 5 minutes altogether.

Right after the pulse light laser treatment, she asked me to take the googles off and immediately injected my scars with kenalog steroid. I don't miss these haha.

I must have looked scared, because she had to remind me to breathe.

Anyway, I took off my band aids this morning...

Here is a picture of what it looks like today. I know it's not going to get better overnight but keeping my hopes up that I will see some progress in the next coming months...

The doctor also mentioned that the laser treatments usually will make your scars appear purple/more red before lightening it up (like a bruising effect).

Anyway, I scheduled my next appointment for next month. Praying that this will work!!

Hello

It's been so long since I've updated you guys...but that's mostly because I haven't really done anything as far as treatment. As you can see, my keloid is worst than ever. :/
It's really grown and is bulging, bumpy, dark red, and man---is it painful!
I really messed up. I have been uninsured for the past year, so I haven't seen any doctors...so no treatments. I tried REALLY hard to ignore the scar. I told myself, maybe I could live with it. It's not a big deal.

It IS a big deal though! When it gets so painful, that it's hard to sleep---I cannot ignore it any longer.
Trying to see a doctor via Medi-Cal was a JOKE! HA! SO found out really quick that there are no plastic surgeons/scar specialists that are covered through Medi-Cal. I tried to see someone through my University's Health Center, but they are really just there to refer out...

Anyway, I finally bit the bullet---and am paying $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for Kaiser (Silver Plan! haha).
It's costs as much as a new car payment, but what choice do I have?

Starting Aug 01, I will be covered! I'll be seeing a new doctor. I want to start on Kenalog injections again, and see where that goes. I recently moved too, so I'm hoping my new doctor will be more supportive of my scar treatment process. Wish me luck everyone! I'll make sure to update more frequently!


Current Treatment: Silicon sheets only (drug store brand), sometimes I use prescribed Cordran tape (but I'm running out soo I've been using it sparingly)
Progress: None
Plan: Find a new doctor stat!

Losing hope

During my last treatment, my doctor told me that she thought it was best that we take a break from treatments. My scar didn't seem to be improving, and she didn't know what else we could do.

She suggested that I seek radiation therapy as my next approach but because I'm still 25 (and want kids in my future), radiation isn't for me. It weighed on me heavily on what I should do. Radiation therapy might not work, and I'd be risking a whole lot...

Since my last doctor's visit, my scar had seemed to improve tremendously. Even the edges are starting to flatten. I really want to continue cortison injections, but my doctor wants me to take a 3 month break. I am a little worried because now that I am seeing improvements, I don't want to give up. I don't feel very supported by my doctor but I don't have very many options because I can't afford to see anyone else. I'm sad because she's been there since my surgery, and I feel as if she's losing hope for my scar. 

Trying to stay positive when I have negative energy around me. I need to believe that my scar will heal. 

For now, cortison tape and silicon sheets 24 hours.

Current treatment:

Steroid injections bi monthly

Followed by constant tapes and sheeting on scars

12 hours with cortison tape

12 hours with silicon sheets

Switch every twelve hours

I sleep in my silicon sheet and go to work with my cortison tape.

This is me getting ready for bed (silicon sheets pictured below)

sinking in the middle of the larger keloid.