My mom has a open wound on her neck just below her chin. This is where a biopsy was taken months ago. This round open wound is getting bigger by the day latly. Its now about the size of a penny. We dont know if this is happening from her skin being so thin from radiation or is it just the cancer causing her skin to just tear. Its really painful and very unpleasent for my mother.

My question is`. The doctor precribed a Chemo Cream to rub all over the area around the hole. Mom used it for the first time and it cause alot of pain.

Is anyone farmilure with a Chemo Cream ?

Thanks
Heidi

Heidi, I have not heard of a chemo cream but do you have a home visit nurse? Can you arrange for one to come to the house a couple of times a week? They are knowledgeable and can give you a lot of help.

I havent heard of this before for OC. What is the cream called?

Since her skin is so delicate, pat the cream on instead of rubbing it.

Best wishes

I have heard of chemo cream, namely 5-FU, for skin cancer, other conditions, but nothing more than that. Here is some info, if it is this chemo.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/fluorouracil-topical-route/proper-use/drg-20063877

Yes Paul that's it . It's exactly what was prescribed to my mom. After applying it just one time it made her very sick . The side effects are very strong . I don't think my mom is gonna be able to use it .

Just the Insurance CoPay was 180 dollars for this cream .

I'm feeling so down and out . Trying my best but nothing is working .

Heidi

Such a pity it is too painful for her. You are doing everything you can and I think of you and your mother often.

Love
Maureen

Sorry to hear. I had 5-FU infusions, and know it's a strong chemo. Speak with the doctor, maybe a lesser dosage, less frequently, and prophylactic counter measures that would be effective can be given. Too bad about the co-pay too, there are co-pay prescription assistance programs out there, and the pharmaceutical companies themselves may have assistance programs for the uninsured, underinsured, if you find time, and this drug is going to be continued.

I hope you, and your mom find some relief.

Thanks Maureen and Paul


Because of this open wound in her neck I brought my mom in to see the Surgeon today . The doctor was very upset to see this happening but said there is nothing he can do to heal it . He said it's bad tissue and a skin graph would never mend .

The doctor did advise us to use this 5FU cream around the open wound and just maybe it may help to slow it from spreading bigger. I told my mom she is gonna have to try and tolerate as much as she can .

I've had people tell me that I need to come to terms on what's happening here . I do realize but I have to keep trying . I'm not about to give up .

Heidi

Heidi

My dad has two wound breakdowns happen. He actually had two new holes this weekend. One was from a biopsy and the other from a sore he had due to his cancer spread. The chemo is drying out his pimples and one fell out and causes this hole. We have a visiting nurse who comes in to treat these areas. He had 2 on his chest after surgery in November. We were told this was wound breakdown due to slowly healing skin that has previously been irradiated. I would ask about packing the wound. My dad gets his packed with some medical packing tape which apparently absorbs the fluid that leaks and helps the wound heal from the inside out so as to avoid healing on the outside and leaving a hole on the inside. This can caus infection and abscess. Our nurse is visiting tomorrow and I assume she will pack the newly opened one from yesterday. Thankfully they are small. Two are superficial while the other two are small. Chemo has halted healing but as long as they are clean and dry they will heal eventually. Not sure about the chemo cream. I'd ask about packing the wound.

ConcernedDaughter

Thanks so much for this information. I'm going to check on Packing the open wound. It's a really good idea because of the draining. I asked the oncologist the other day if this spot was going to continue to get bigger. It's about round as a Nickle rite now. The Doctor said it will stop getting bigger but another spot will break out.

The last couple of days my mom has been doing a little better. She was able to get out of bed and enjoy sitting outside and talking for a while. She has even eaten a little more than usual and her pain isnt quit as bad. I could'nt beleive what I was seeing. Maybe the Carbo/Taxel treatments are helping I dont know.

Thanks
Heidi