Wednesday, October 23, 2013

You Will Always Be Like This

That's what my NYC oncologist Dr. Giralt said in reference to my chronic graft versus host disease. It's the price you pay for keeping leukemia away, blah, blah, blah, he added.

Not all of us successful transplantees pay extra in scarring, monthly shots, excruciating itchiness, the need to wear special lenses, secondary cancers and more. Some do, of course, and I know of at least 3.  Most transplantee can ever give up the war been fought inside us. New battles flare and we must be ready to brandish our swords at any moment. Sorry for that cliched metaphor.

Dr. Lacouture, my NYC dermatologist armed me tooth and nail with new ideas about my appalling skin. One is UVB phototherapy which is similar to a tanning bed but less lethal. He suggested using creams I already have in new ways. It takes a long time tor cream up, but if it relieves the itching it's time well spent.


2 comments:

Ronni Gordon said...

I know what you mean. Sigh. I hope you find something to relieve the itch. An itch is a terrible, crazy-making thing.

Ann said...

Brandishing my sword right alongside you.