Chemo Transit: The face (actually, the toes) of neuropathy

Saturday, March 26, 2011

The face (actually, the toes) of neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is why my Oncologist stopped my chemo yesterday.

I've been having tingling in my fingertips and feet, and my toe and fingernails have been sensitive to touch. Also, the nails have become discolored.

It's been about 24 hours since I was told I'm done with chemo. I'm starting to get happy, but my body is unable to celebrate. Apparently it will be weeks before I start noticing having more energy.

Dag nab it.

I sit in my Lay-Z-Bum chair and look outside. I think "Hey! I'm off chemo! I want to get out there and putter in the yard!"

I stand up.

I feel the fatigue envelope me.

I sit back down.

1 comment:

Lynn-deeMarch 26, 2011 at 3:12 PM
Thus ends the chemo portion of your blog! The radiation phase should be glowing. :)
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A list of things I've learned

A sense of humor is imperative because cancer treatment is unnatural.
Cannibas works for all yucky symptoms, not just nausea.
Consider taking Glutamine powder for Taxol side effects.
Diagnosis is the hardest part. It can take weeks of appointments for the medical team to figure out how much cancer you have and where it is, how to remove it and what type of treatment to follow it up with.
During chemo/radiation treatment, ask for a "Nurse Navigator" to be your point person for everything.
Each time I had a dose of Taxol, I had menstrual cramps. I don't know why, and I stopped menstruating when I started chemo.
If a woman has the male pattern baldness gene, her hair on top of her head will grow slower than the sides.
If they give you steroids, sleep may be affected. Consider Melatonin, and if it doesn't work, sleeping pills.
If you're not normally a diplomatic, you may want to work on being one b/c people will say things you wish they hadn't.
Lymph nodes removed under an arm warrant physical therapy. Ask for a Physical Therapist who specializes in post-breast surgery treatment.
Mammogram-guided needle-core were invented by mysoginists.
Masks only work for 20 minutes, then they lose their ability to protect you.
Medical profession err on the side of worst case scenario, requiring the patient to be their own best advocate.
Read permission forms carefully (especially from third parties) to avoid added expenses. I wasn't paying attention a couple of times and got unexpected bills.
Turmeric, the spice/herb, may ease neuropathy.
When you wear a mask, strangers will think you're the one who's sick.