Chemo-moaning session

It seems that I had it easy first time round on Chemotherapy.  I was given a dosage of a single drug over a period of 5 days - it was a pain to have to carry the pump around, I got some mouth sores and a little nauseous, and I was permanently tired, but that was the extent of the side effects.

This time's a bit different.  I have a 2-hour infusion session on a Monday where they pump me with 3 different drugs in one sitting, then I have to carry a pump for 2 days to finish me off.  They warned me loud and clear about what side-effects were going to come, and boy have they come.



One of the drugs I am taking is called Oxaliplatin, and seems to be responsible for much of what is described below.

Difficulty swallowing and shortness of breath.  The infusion nurse warned me that I may get a feeling like I'm being strangled.  This hasn't happened yet.  What has happened is that when I try to eat, I get a sort of burning sensation in the back of the throat, as if my body is wanting to reject what I am trying to feed it.  It goes away after the first couple of mouthfuls, but if you take a break of even a few minutes, the sensation comes back! 

Cold foods and drinks are absolutely out - even tap water is verging on too much.  When you put something cold in your mouth, there is this sharp rising pain.

Cold sensitivity.  Doesn't sound like a biggie, especially in California, right?  But I walked outside to get the mail last night - it was very gently drizzling and a little on the cool side.  My hands felt like they were being stabbed! I've never felt anything like it! Later in the evening, the loo overflowed and I tried to clear it up with some old towels.  During the process, I stepped on a wet towel in my socks and suddenly had the most shockingly cold sensation, which would not go away for about 15 minutes!  It's remarkably debilitating and not a great deal of fun!

Of course, being forewarned is very handy, but I really wasn't prepared for the full reality until I have started to experience it!


On top of all this, I am still lethargic and slow - can't really do any heavy lifting.  I've driven to the store and back, which went OK, but I did have to sit down for an hour afterwards.  I really don't feel ready to face work again - I think the drive there would pretty much wipe me out!



Sorry for the whinge, but it's been a bit of a shock to see how much this is effecting me this time around,  hopefully it will ease over time.  Next appointment is Wednesday to get the pump removed, then I have nearly 2 weeks with nothing until my next infusion session! Yay!