I really wanted the apple cider vinegar to work on my basal cell carcinoma.
For four weeks, I applied Bragg's organic ACV five times a day to both the BCC on the left of my face and the Actinosis Keratosis (AK) on my hand. After that time, I have been applying hydrogen peroxide to the two sites for a week. Both areas crusted and peeled away after 2-3 weeks of application. The hand AK left a smooth, non-sandpaper texture, with just a pink mark, which I cover with a band-aid when I am out in the sun. I am convinced that the AK is healed, with little potential for development into a more serious cancerous spot.
With the pain on my chest from the first excision of the BCC, I returned to my dermatologist's office last week. She reported that it was hypertrophic (excess amounts of collagen to wound site) and had keloid growth (raised portions of the cut area), and it may take more time to heal. She prescribed Kelo-cote to apply to the site, twice daily.
The doctor, who I admired, also recommended that I have the BCC on my face removed as soon as possible. I was very sad, and asked a doctor friend to look at it. I had my appointment today. He confirmed that the spot needed removal, and we set a date for July 21 to take it away.
We want to say we are in control, and through diet and exercise, and sunscreen and other positive health methods we can say that we are in control of our bodies. Other factors, such as negative choices made in our youth, will take away that control, however. All those days on the sun deck in college with baby oil, those beach walks and sunbathing at a home pool or visiting another without sunscreen were poor decisions.
My advice to anyone who does not want to endure suffering because of a little bcc is to wear the sunscreen, the hat, the visor and stay under cover when possible. While a suntan may make us look and feel skinnier and younger, the pain of surgery and recovery, as well as a scar one has to endure afterwards is just not worth it.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
The Real Deal
Good news, and not so good news. Good news first.
The Actinic Keratosis is looking great! Flat, no more sandpaper feel, and not raised at all anymore. It is still a bit pink, but since it has been exposed to acidic Apple Cider Vinegar five times a day for the past three and a half weeks, it is to be expected. I am still debating the use of hydrogen peroxide on the spot.
The not so good news is the report on my chest scar from the removal of the Basal Cell Carcninoma (BCC) on April 3, and the additional BCC on the side of my face.
My chest is still painful on the site of the cut (which was made, according to my husband who watched the procedure, with a laser-like instrument, as opposed to a steel or other knife). It hurts when I stretch, breathe in deeply, cross my arms in front of me, or wake up lying on my side and return to an upright, vertical position. It hurts when I touch it gently within a one inch perimeter of the cut.
It looks like I will be having another surgery. :-(
The Actinic Keratosis is looking great! Flat, no more sandpaper feel, and not raised at all anymore. It is still a bit pink, but since it has been exposed to acidic Apple Cider Vinegar five times a day for the past three and a half weeks, it is to be expected. I am still debating the use of hydrogen peroxide on the spot.
The not so good news is the report on my chest scar from the removal of the Basal Cell Carcninoma (BCC) on April 3, and the additional BCC on the side of my face.
My chest is still painful on the site of the cut (which was made, according to my husband who watched the procedure, with a laser-like instrument, as opposed to a steel or other knife). It hurts when I stretch, breathe in deeply, cross my arms in front of me, or wake up lying on my side and return to an upright, vertical position. It hurts when I touch it gently within a one inch perimeter of the cut.
It looks like I will be having another surgery. :-(
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Seeing Progress
As I have been seeing progress with the Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) treatment for the past two weeks, I decided to keep at it for another two, as another homeopathic pursuer recommended. My hand does look a little gross, with the scab and flaky skin, but it is definitely progress, as the skin underneath is smooth and pink.
This is very exciting for me, and I hope that the scab will have disappeared by the beginning of next week. As I may have mentioned before, for the first two weeks, I was applying Nerium ND Night cream on my hand and face, found at www.AMMOforSkin.nerium.com. While I do not know for certain whether or not it made a difference, the night cream is an awesome, age-fighting cream that I love.
The face photo below shows a much less scabby area, with the Basal Cell Carcinoma visibly reduced. Praying (and working) for healing, especially since my chest, where the BCC was removed surgically over two months ago, still hurts. Applying Arnica gel now, as the grapeseed oil does not appear to relieve any pain.
As a reminder - cover your skin with sunscreen, a hat or clothing!
This is very exciting for me, and I hope that the scab will have disappeared by the beginning of next week. As I may have mentioned before, for the first two weeks, I was applying Nerium ND Night cream on my hand and face, found at www.AMMOforSkin.nerium.com. While I do not know for certain whether or not it made a difference, the night cream is an awesome, age-fighting cream that I love.
The face photo below shows a much less scabby area, with the Basal Cell Carcinoma visibly reduced. Praying (and working) for healing, especially since my chest, where the BCC was removed surgically over two months ago, still hurts. Applying Arnica gel now, as the grapeseed oil does not appear to relieve any pain.
As a reminder - cover your skin with sunscreen, a hat or clothing!
Friday, June 12, 2015
Don't Pay to Suffer
As I look at my crusty, scabbed hand, I think, “That looks
great,” and mean it. I would much prefer to have a scab on my hand, created by
a natural ingredient, that will take
away my cancer, than a large scar. By applying organic apple cider vinegar
(Bragg’s), five times a day for nearly
two weeks, my hand is showing the elimination of an Actinic Keratosis (pre-cancerous)
spot. The same goes for the spot on the
side of my face that is an actual Basal Cell Carcinoma, that it is red and
crusty.
The scar on my chest, where I had a thumbnail-sized (on the
top of the skin) BCC removed on April 3, is still tender to the touch as I
daily massage in grapeseed oil. It still hurts when I wake up in the morning after
laying on my side or stomach. It looks good, but doesn’t feel good. The hand
mark looks bad, but feels fine, after a few seconds of tingling when applying
the ACV.
Before you decide to have surgery for a cancerous or
pre-cancerous spot on your body, consider using an alternative, homeopathic method. I’ll keep you posted on my results and
any treatments. It sure beats the alternative of pain and suffering at the high
cost of time and money.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Smelling like a vegetable
My husband commented the other day, "You smell like a vegetable." Not the most romantic observation, but probably appropriate concerning the consistent smell of vinegar on me and in the discarded applicators in our bathroom. Regardless, I hope and pray that the Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) solution of five applications per day to the sites on my face and hand is working and that the Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Actinic Keratosis (AK) are shrinking.
Day 8 - At this point, the area on my face where the BCC exists is becoming very dry and crusty (photos below), so I used Mary Kay Microdermabrasion (http://www.marykay.com/katesansom/en-US/Pages/default.aspx?lcov=1) from Kate Sansom, and it seemed to smooth it out a bit. I intend to use it on the site every other day until the end of the procedure.
A few notes to include on the process:
1) I have revised my ACV application to using a Q-tip instead of a cotton ball. The cotton ball uses so much, yet does not seep much onto the skin.
2) I spent some time at a community pool on Saturday afternoon. While I started out with 50 spf sunscreen and band-aids and sunglasses, all were washed off or taken off by then end of the two hour period during which I was in and out of the sun and a chlorinated pool.
3) About twice a day, possibly morning and evening, the spot is covered with some sort of lotion, whether a sunscreen or a night cream.
3) As a part of the "healing" quest, I am seeing a chiropractor, (http://drlewisbeecave.com/), exercising daily, and trying to be as healthy an eater as possible. This includes reduced sugars, meat and refined carbs. I will admit that I have not been "perfect" in my quest, although I have certainly cleaned up my act, eating tiny tomatoes and organic spinach sauteed in olive oil and organic chicken served over mushrooms, onions, white wine and rice for dinner, and vegetarian enchiladas for lunch.
4) My skin care includes the awesome skincare line. Nerium, (http://nerium.com/shop/ammoforskin), which is a botanical recipe, originally formulated to address cancer, that brings out the impurities to heal your skin.
Three weeks left - to a homeopathic solution to BCCs and AKs.
Day 8 - At this point, the area on my face where the BCC exists is becoming very dry and crusty (photos below), so I used Mary Kay Microdermabrasion (http://www.marykay.com/katesansom/en-US/Pages/default.aspx?lcov=1) from Kate Sansom, and it seemed to smooth it out a bit. I intend to use it on the site every other day until the end of the procedure.
A few notes to include on the process:
1) I have revised my ACV application to using a Q-tip instead of a cotton ball. The cotton ball uses so much, yet does not seep much onto the skin.
2) I spent some time at a community pool on Saturday afternoon. While I started out with 50 spf sunscreen and band-aids and sunglasses, all were washed off or taken off by then end of the two hour period during which I was in and out of the sun and a chlorinated pool.
3) About twice a day, possibly morning and evening, the spot is covered with some sort of lotion, whether a sunscreen or a night cream.
3) As a part of the "healing" quest, I am seeing a chiropractor, (http://drlewisbeecave.com/), exercising daily, and trying to be as healthy an eater as possible. This includes reduced sugars, meat and refined carbs. I will admit that I have not been "perfect" in my quest, although I have certainly cleaned up my act, eating tiny tomatoes and organic spinach sauteed in olive oil and organic chicken served over mushrooms, onions, white wine and rice for dinner, and vegetarian enchiladas for lunch.
4) My skin care includes the awesome skincare line. Nerium, (http://nerium.com/shop/ammoforskin), which is a botanical recipe, originally formulated to address cancer, that brings out the impurities to heal your skin.
Three weeks left - to a homeopathic solution to BCCs and AKs.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
In Addition to Vinegar ...
The initial purpose of this blog is to follow the progress proposed on homeopathic sites for treating a BCC (basal cell carcinoma) with organic apple cider vinegar, but other methods are being employed as well.
As I have read online, in books and at a recent presentation at Elite Fitness (http://drlewisbeecave.com/) called "Holy Hormones!" factors in our environment and our food may cause cancer to develop. The time it would take to address every item would be much to lengthy for this blog, but I will mention a few here that I am taking steps to avoid now.
Everyday Environmental toxins:
Phthalates - a component that helps make ingredients into a consistency that is not too brittle or flimsy, and adds or detracts from the scent - in items such as laundry detergent, deodorant,sunscreens, cosmetics, hair products, and perfumes. Avoid "fragrance" on the label.
Parabens - serve as antimicrobials and preservatives, and are found in lotions, shampoo and other personal care items. Avoid "methyl-, propyl-, iso- or butyl- paraben" on the label.
These two are the major offenders that are termed "xenoestrogens." This term, translated, means foreign, or fake estrogens, which, when connected with the body's system, causes a lack of ability of the body to use true estrogen. Hormones are an entirely new discussion, and scientists are not in complete agreement as to how much exposure can interrupt the endocrine system of an individual. The main thing is that they are in all sorts of daily products that we use, and in a large scale testing by the Centers for Disease Control, parabens, phthalates and the chemicals they create through metabolism were found in almost every person tested (http://tinyurl.com/kdg735a).
My point is, that I am being more observant of these xenoestrogens to further remove the risk of cancer. You can find products that promote their freedom from the ingredients. Food is full of additional "no no's" for cancer-free living, which I will address in due time.
The paraben and phthlate-free products, Bragg ACV and Nexcare tape, are below. :-)
As I have read online, in books and at a recent presentation at Elite Fitness (http://drlewisbeecave.com/) called "Holy Hormones!" factors in our environment and our food may cause cancer to develop. The time it would take to address every item would be much to lengthy for this blog, but I will mention a few here that I am taking steps to avoid now.
Everyday Environmental toxins:
Phthalates - a component that helps make ingredients into a consistency that is not too brittle or flimsy, and adds or detracts from the scent - in items such as laundry detergent, deodorant,sunscreens, cosmetics, hair products, and perfumes. Avoid "fragrance" on the label.
Parabens - serve as antimicrobials and preservatives, and are found in lotions, shampoo and other personal care items. Avoid "methyl-, propyl-, iso- or butyl- paraben" on the label.
These two are the major offenders that are termed "xenoestrogens." This term, translated, means foreign, or fake estrogens, which, when connected with the body's system, causes a lack of ability of the body to use true estrogen. Hormones are an entirely new discussion, and scientists are not in complete agreement as to how much exposure can interrupt the endocrine system of an individual. The main thing is that they are in all sorts of daily products that we use, and in a large scale testing by the Centers for Disease Control, parabens, phthalates and the chemicals they create through metabolism were found in almost every person tested (http://tinyurl.com/kdg735a).
My point is, that I am being more observant of these xenoestrogens to further remove the risk of cancer. You can find products that promote their freedom from the ingredients. Food is full of additional "no no's" for cancer-free living, which I will address in due time.
The paraben and phthlate-free products, Bragg ACV and Nexcare tape, are below. :-)
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Hand and Head
In addition to the BCC (basal cell carcinoma) that I am fighting (AMMO) in a homeopathic-like way, I am also treating another skin spot on my hand with the same method (photo below).
When I went to see my dermatologist the first time for the body check for skin cancer, I forgot to mention a little spot on my hand that would blister, dry and show skin peeling. It would also turn red when in the sun. I became more aware of it, and put on sunscreen on my hands daily, but I have yet to have it diagnosed, or even noticed, by the doctor.
This spot, which, according to my internet research, appears to be actinic keratosis, is also being treated with the apple cider vinegar. I have to be very careful when I go outside to not allow it to be exposed to the sun, which tends to increase the irritation.
When I went to see my dermatologist the first time for the body check for skin cancer, I forgot to mention a little spot on my hand that would blister, dry and show skin peeling. It would also turn red when in the sun. I became more aware of it, and put on sunscreen on my hands daily, but I have yet to have it diagnosed, or even noticed, by the doctor.
This spot, which, according to my internet research, appears to be actinic keratosis, is also being treated with the apple cider vinegar. I have to be very careful when I go outside to not allow it to be exposed to the sun, which tends to increase the irritation.
The latest update on treatment is that I still apply a wet cotton ball, saturated with apple cider vinegar, to both locations, five times per day. I have also included a more intense treatment, soaking a trimmed, non-stick pad with the vinegar and placing on my face and hand with the wonderful NEXCARE Sensitive Skin, Low Trauma Tape with pain-free removal. This is the BEST tape, latex-free, yet holds securely. I put it on before I go to bed and remove it when I start my day.
Also since I have started the routine, I have not been putting any sunscreen or make up on the spots, something I did previously. I am very careful to protect the areas, by wearing sunglasses and a visor, and placing a cloth over my hand when I walk or take out the dog.
Both areas sting briefly when I apply the vinegar, but it is mild, short-lived, and much more bearable than a deep cut with stitches. I'm praying for success!
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