FYI: I Want To Share The Technology To Cure My Skin Cancer!

Sharing Information about My Skin Cancer

I normally do not share serious personal information. However, I feel it is critical to share information about my skin cancer and the technology to cure the squamous cell carcinoma on my shin.

A few weeks ago, I had been working in my gardens and thought I had a bug bite on my right shin. I made an appointment at Dermatology Specialists of Illinois, to see Dr. Vikram Khanna‘s Physician Assistant, Marianne Rao. She removed the bump on my leg and said I would receive a call in a few days with the results.

Shocking Results

Two days later, I received a call Sandy Mitchell R.T. The the biopsy showed that I had skin cancer. What I thought was a bug bite was actually a squamous cell carcinoma. I was shocked!

Redhead Concerns

I no loner have my red hair, but I still have fair and sensitive skin that is indicative of a redhead.  Before there was sun block, I always took precautions to cover up with hats, long sleeves, and long pants. When sun block was developed, I always put the sun block on, religiously.

It was determined that the skin cancer could be from damage to my skin from my pre-sun block childhood.

Two Treatment Options

When Sandy Mitchell R.T. called me she told me I had two options to treat the squamous cell carcinoma. The first was Mohs surgery. which consist of cutting and removal of tissue and while the patient waits, the tissue is examined for cancer cells. If all the cells are not removed the process is repeated until all the cancer cells are gone. This sounded like the Inquisition, which thankfully my fraternal ancestors were able to escape. I was not concerned about the scaring. However, I also was concerned concerned about closing the incision and the healing process because the skin on my shin is very thin.

Then I asked Sandy about the second option, which is SRT, a non-invasive non-surgical procedure, which is superficial radiotherapy. Sandy told me that unlike traditional radiation, which delivers massive amounts of energy that penetrates deep into the body and cause sever skin reactions; SRT utilizes a small portable device that delivers a very low energy just below the  surface of the skins. It only treats skin cancer. Because SRT uses low energy radiotherapy, skin reactions are typically mild and very small.

As I always tell my What Color Is Your Brain?® clients, I made a “Healthy Decision” that the Image Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (IG-SRT) was a better choice for me. Because Sandy is also a redhead, she understood my concerns about my skin, and we decided on 25 sessions, instead of the normal 20 sessions.

Preparations For Treatment

Last Friday, Jordan accompanied me to the dermatology office, where Sandy took measurements of the divot in my leg from the removal of the squamous cell carcinoma. The she fitted a little led square with a hole in the middle to go over the site to protect my leg. Then she put a led apron on me and a pair of protective glasses. Sandy demonstrated how the machine would be put over my leg to give me a dose of radiation. After that she removed all the protective gear and showed me ultrasound pictures of my leg. It was fascinating to see the yellow and green healthy cells and black area where the unhealthy cells were. My Green Brain found the entire process fascinating and educational.

How Do I Feel?

Yesterday, was my first treatment and today was my second. The process only took 7 minutes and I have not had any reactions! I feel well, mentally and physically. I am most grateful for the excellent patient care and education I have received for all the staff members at Dermatology Specialists of Illinois,

For More Information

If you want more information about Image Guided Superficial Radiotherapy, visit SkinCure Oncology and/or Gentle Cure IG-SRT.

Closing Thought

If you have a loved one, friend, or colleague who has developed a basal cell carcinoma or a squamous cell carcinoma, PLEASE share this blog post with them! If you do not know of anyone, PLEASE keep this information, in case you might need it in the future.

Please Spread the Word