One of Twelve

They told me to be careful
They told me to be careful in the sun, and I was, but i didn't go to extremes. Never had a sunburn. I wore sunscreen and stayed out of intense sun for long periods of time. The only place I really got a burn was on top of my head, at the part in my hair (no hat)!

Sunburn
Take what they say to an extreme, Phil. In March I went out in the sun for several hours and forgot the sunscreen. I ended up with a third degree burn on the left side of my face and my left hand. The sores lingered for a couple of weeks before finally healing and even now my left cheek is sensitive to the touch and my left hand has a purplish tint to it. When I went on the fishing retreat a couple of weeks ago, I did remember to use sunscreen, 45 spf. I still got another third degree burn, this time on the right side. While my face has healed, my right hand still has sores. Now if I'm going out for more than just a couple of minutes, it's 75 spf, long sleeve shirt and gloves. When I ride my bike, there's not a piece of exposed skin showing to the sunlight. Even if I'm out for just a few minutes, I stay in shade as much as possible. Sometimes I think I'm starting to turn vampire!

Sunlight
I was told the same thing to limit my time in the sun and to make sure I was protected very well. I really don't have to worry about it though because since I started chemo treatment a year ago I can't seem to get warm! I am always freezing. It was 90 degrees outside today and people are in tank tops and shorts and I am in long pants and a winter sweater. If I go into an air conditioned restaurant before the meal is complete my teeth are chattering. Not sure if it is the chemo or what but I do get some strange stares. Not sue if it is my bald head or my winter clothing in June in the south!

steved said:

Genuine issue
The photosensitivity is a gnuine issue and can be serious for some and not an issue at all for others. Lucky enough to not have it but then again the UK sunburn is hardly an issue! Take it seriously with at lease some decent sunscren but also try it out gradually as you may get away with it- the last thing you want though is the third degree burns described above! Theat will truly ruin your boat trip.

Agree about the right place for the right stuff- the two things that seem to promote conflict in this forum is people with strong alternative views of treatment pushing them too hard and religion (politics is rightly avoided). Having had some issues on the board recently about the first we don't need one about the latter.

With full respect to you and your beliefs.

steve

I was told the same to stay
I was told the same to stay out of the sun....I used sun screen and had no issue other than the usual blisters I normally get on my lips when they get too much sun. I boat A LOT, I am very fair, blond hair. But, again EVERYONE is different....some people can get a horrible burn just walking to their car in a parking lot. What I found was photosensitivity with my eyes!!! Not only photosensitivity, but during infusions I would be reading a magazine and as the infusion progressed my eyes would get really blurry.

Hi Phil
I was bad on 5fu and methotrexate.I found I had to wear long sleeved shirts and long pants when I was fishing and apply sunscreen every couple of hours. Even then you always miss a bit and the backs of my hands burned really badly on one fishing trip. Take care ,Ron.

Yah ... your first folfox infusion is done
Phil64,

Yeah...you have nearly completed the first infusion!!!
I did have sensitivity to the sun...I broke out in hives when outside and felt ill in the heat. I did not go to the extreme to cover my body like they told you but I did take them seriously with sunscreen and low doses of exposure outside. My eyes became extremely sensitive around the sun as well. I would error on the side of caution if I were you.

Blessings to you and still enjoy your weekend.

"Minnesotagirl"

idlehunters said:

Hey...me too..my first...aweeeee
Well lookie there...we are sharing a "first" together! I had my first Folfox on Tuesday and took pump home and got it off today. Wow....this is very different from other stuff I have done...but of course it is. It has made me feel real full. Strange. I refuse to stop eating anything cold. It don't hurt to do cold...just VERY strange feeling...and not comfortable at first but heck...I am not giving up ice cream or soda or ANYTHING I want for that matter so I have found that I ain't..... It's one of those "hurts SOOOO GOOD" feelings and that's ok with me. So far it has been very tolerable. How bout you? What issues it give you? Take care

Jennie

sun and cold
haha Jennie....I can't remember what round of oxi I was on when the cold pain super clicked in.....maybe you won't get it......that would be good.

and maybe this thread goes to show just how differently we all react .....

me on 5FU just one big burn from the sun....could barely stand in front of a window without frying.....major burn....

so maybe Phil you won't get that one either....

????who knows ....??

mags

Everyone reacts differently
I am very slow to tan, and very slow to burn. I spend a lot of time in Mexico usually. I was super careful at first in Mexico, and then got more lax, and never burnt when I was on FOLFOX. I was still careful on FOLFIRI, especially with my bald head, but after getting no color at all, I tried short times with no sunscreen, and lengthened that and never burnt. But then last summer at home in MN on FOLFIRI, even with sunscreen, I did get a burn one day planting my flowers. Just like some antibiotics can make you very susceptible to burning, but not every time you take them, chemo can too. You don't know how your body will react and need to be careful. Wear sunscreen, and go ahead and wear your shorts and swimsuit, but limit how much time you are exposed to sun - find yourself some shade too.