Another chemo update

Several of you have been asking how I’m doing with the chemo side effects. Thanks for asking, I appreciate the concern. I’ve completed my third round of chemo (sort of). As in the past, I did not manage a full dose for the second week. I made it 6 days at full dose, took two days off, started gabapentin to help with the side effects, took 2/3 dose of chemo for three more days, and then went back off the chemo on Friday (2 days early). So all I managed during the second week was a total of 3 days at 2/3 dose.

The primary issue is my hands and feet, which tingle and burn. They are swollen and the skin of my soles and palms has become thick, stiff, and smooth. In addition to being painful, I have lost some function as well. For example, on bad days I have trouble with any object manipulation that requires pressure, particularly pressure against anything hard and rough. That means toothpaste caps, garden hose attachments, even a lamp switch that has a serrated edge is difficult.

Lifting heavy things is difficult too, not because I don’t have the muscles but because the weight of the object puts too much pressure against the palms of my hands (trying to grip iron frying pans for example).

I’ve been off the chemo since Friday and it’s now Tuesday, so I am somewhat improved. I’m going on neighborhood walks now, and I can do much more with my hands. Now it’s just a matter of annoyance or inconvenience. For example, my computer and phone both use touch ID, but my fingerprint doesn’t work anymore because my skin has gotten tough and smooth. So I have to key in my password every time.

I’m expecting to improve through the week, and start chemo back up again this coming Monday. I’m going to start at 2/3 dose and see how long I can go. Based on recent experience, I’m guessing I’ll manage one week at 2/3 dose.

On a more cheerful note, we took the van camping over the long weekend, even though I wasn’t feeling well. It’s not any harder to sit on a camp chair under the pine trees than sit on a chair at home. 🙂 And the van has a bed and everything, so I really was just as comfortable as being at home, and it was so nice to be away from home. John did all the packing and unpacking and all the cooking, so I didn’t have to do anything. He’s very generous and helpful that way.

I’ll write about the trip and post more pictures soon.

To send Kristina a comment, email turning51bykristina@gmail.com