Starting 5-FU Chemo Cream - Lower Lip

If you ever have to use 5-FU on you lower lip. Know that it will be soar. It hurts to eat. Get things you will need ahead of time - I got good size straws, 3 cases of  ensure, juice, and  milk. At times I could eat some rice, soft bananas or soft serve yogurt/ice cream. Never tried any food or liquid that was hot, as I thought it would hurt too much. Smiling, talking and laughing will hurt - so don't do it. The treatment is not pleasant, by any means, but I got through it. You can too if you ever have to. Just hang in there, count off the days and know that this treatment will destroy the precancer cells, leaving the good cells alone, and you will not get full blown lip cancer - which would be devastating.

I am not an outside person. I am fair skinned, and I have had some really bad sunburns, and lip burns over the years. I have lived in hot climates for 40 years. I never wore sunscreen, SPF lip balm, a hat, or long sleeve shirts or long pants.
I have now started a collection of sunhats. Each day I now wear long sleeve shirts and pants, a hat and have made some neck gaiters. Also have gloves that I wear when needed. When the lip finally heals I will wear SPF 30 lip balm.



My journey stated on 1/23/17 my Dermo Dr took a biopsy from my lower lip. The lip was very dry, had a scaly spot and 2 purple spots. Results: Atctinic Cheilitis - precancer cells. Not good. So the treatment suggested was 5-FU (Fluorouracil 5%)  chemo cream. The Dr. told me to let the biopsy heal for 10 days and then start the chemo treatment on 2/6/17 and return to his office one week later. I did a lot of research on the 5-FU cream and the effect it would have on my lip, so I would know what I was in for. I knew it was going to be uncomfortable and not fun. But I was ready to beat this.

I applied a thin coat of cream 2 times a day (10am and 10PM) and rubbed in each application, as directed. I did not have the reaction I expected and when I saw the Dr a week later he agreed. The lip was red and swollen but not even blistered. So I was instructed to keep using cream 2 times a day for 2 more weeks. I was not thrilled, but knew I had to continue. And so I did.

My hubby continued taking pictures of my lip each day so we could track how it was progressing. These pictures are on the tabs at the top.

My advise to everyone. Use precaution when in the sun. Cover up or use a strong sunscreen, and lip balm and a hat. Trust me you do not want to go through this. I was lucky so far that I only had to do it on the lower lip, as many people have to use it all over their face, scalp, neck, and chest. It is a lot worse for them.