She had Mohs surgery 2 years ago on side of her nose by nostril left her nose deformed and hard to breath. She cannot go through another mohs as it was difficult 2 years ago. She wants to do something but I am not happy with either the cream or radiation. She has rosacea and the cream from what I am researching could also be painful etc. etc. and radiation at her age not sure about anything. Have 2 appointments with radiation oncologist and also Gentle Cure supposedly easier to deal with. Any one have experience with their elderly parents with either the cream or radiation.. She will be 97 in 2 months . She is in pretty good health but can a 97 year old deal with this issue. Any one with experience in this particular case please let me know what you think. Thank you.
My father did the radiation on his nose in his 80’s . He was fine too . Although he may not have complained about it because it was nothing compared to the treatments he had endured for metastatic melanoma that had spread from his back .
This past spring I did the Flourouracil on my entire face. It burned and hurt a lot, BUT if your Mom is only doing a small spot, it shouldn't be bad at all.
Gentle Cure: this dermatologist says it is "unproven" and very "profitable" and she has nothing good to say about it.
Cancers are always tough. I speak as an 82 year old with my second bout of breast cancer. I have made decisions that are certain and are charted and written up as to what I will now accept (basically surgery) and as to what I will NOT accept (for me that's chemo and radiation). I have made arrangements and met with all involved to move, if and when necessary to palliative care with "the good meds", thence to hospice where I will make use of our great state's "right to die" laws. I think that in the case of cancers that are skin cancers I would opt myself for the treatment of creams. Yes, they care painful at times; but I think perhaps so can radiation leave one with painful skin lesions.
As I said, cancers are tough. So is EVERYTHING when you are older, from compressed spine on down. As an INDIVIDUAL with needs as clear and individual as her own fingerprint, your mom is one person with one illness and one medical team who has a tough decision now, and you are there to help the best you can. My daughter is currently dealing with torn muscles, literally torn away from the trochanter of her hip; she's two decades younger than me, but still dealing with pain and with decisions that have uncertain outcomes. It's life. For sure.
I wish your mom the VERY BEST of care and TREATMENT and I am happy you are there to support. Just do know that we all have our hope and our expectations. But there is always a few "bites" from reality in the whole thing. Lean on the medical team. GOOD LUCK. The very best of luck, really.