Seeing a new doctor next week

Last summer, my doctor recommended a different doctor whose office is closer to where I live. It will be much more convenient which means I may actually go more often. We're supposed to set up narrowband UVB treatments again. With the immense amount of stress I was under with selling our house, my 60 hour a week job (that doesn't qualify for overtime), and my 20 hour a week volunteer gig, I was going insane. I've gotten new spots on my legs, arms, and back. None are terribly bad but new spots, especially in so many different areas is still concerning.

I'm hopeful that I'll like the new doctor, but at least if I don't, there are two other doctors in the same practice that my previous doctor said would be good to see. Also hoping that I can get the UVB set up quickly and get back to being clear soon.

Doctor checkup

Back in May I went to see Dr. Pacheco at UC Denver Anschutz. It was a much better appointment this time around but that may have been because I didn't have to get blood drawn. In general I don't mind getting blood drawn and have no issues with needles, but last time it took like 4 people and countless sticks before success.

So the doctor checked me over, noted my current spots, and recommended that I go back on Narrowband UVB treatments since that was effective previously. She also mentioned that I should keep up once a month maintenance treatments for the rest of my life after getting clear, just to stay clear. I know that there are in-home units you can buy so I'm going to check into my insurance to see if they'll cover it at all. She also recommended a doctor closer to me so I don't have to take the 1-2 hour trek to Denver just for checkups. I plan on checking him out once I can afford my co-pays for appointments and treatments.

It would be good to get clear again and even better if I can get an in-home unit so that I don't have to go to the doctors office multiple times a week. I got my teaching schedule for next year and at least it will allow me to get treatments fairly easily as opposed to this past year when I was teaching almost all day every day.

Other than that, not much of an update. I currently have feint spots on my left arm, with darker ones on my right breast and right flank. They aren't as bad as they've been in the past so I'm not too worried, they're just annoying right now. The one on my arm isn't easily visible right now but if it does get darker, it will be the first spot in a place that is seen when I'm fully clothed which is a bummer, especially since it should be getting sun and UVB rays anyways.

The journey continues...

New spot, brought on by stress

Yesterday I noticed a new spot on the inside of my upper arm. It's rough, pinkish in color and wrinkly. I told my wife about it and she made me put lotion on it. It stung really bad (which is normal) but it didn't go away (which is not normal). We washed the lotion off and I put a super soft long sleeve shirt on and am doing better. I know that my stress level is through the roof right now (as it always is towards the end of the school year). This has caused my regular spot on my lower back to get darker (and spread to 3 separate spots) but now that it has gone to my arm, it has me more concerned.

I need to go see the doctor again but I'm really resistant due to my previous bad experience at Anschutz Cancer Center. Given that they're the only option for CTCL clinic in Colorado, I don't have much other choice. 😞 It also sucks that I have to take a whole day off work to go.

I guess I'll be setting up an appointment tomorrow.