Post chemo joys and blues

2 minute read time.

15 Jan 2010

Well had my review with the consultant its now 3 months since my final chemo, only had to wait half an hour so thats not bad, would have been quicker if I had not had to wait for bloods to be done.

In gereral they are happy with my progress, chatted about how I felt and issues I had with the after effects of chemo and all as to be expected, but when I asked was I fit to travel for insurance purposes.... after a may be, probably ok, well better wait till after the next pet scan to make sure, so no trip to tenerife, it was a bargin too. So I have to wait till the end of Feb to have the scan and see him again to get confirmation re my status. which means they are happy I don't need monthly check ups, thats good. Talked about the odds of it reoccuring and signs to lookout for just to confirm what I understood, he explained I would still be experiencing various aches and pains as I had been through alot. Yet I find I don't think that way and it is hard sometimes just to step back and accept this is how it is as I don't know how it should be if that makes sense.

So it has set me contemplating what do we really expect post chemo/surgery, when does the peripheral neuropathy disappear or is this how it will be, if so I want a new set of feet lol. Why do I suffer with a dry mouth and have to use synthetic saliva when it was only an issue at the start of chemo and seems to have crept back long after chemo finished. With the various abdominal pains how can you ever be sure you know what your body is trying to tell you. no one knows!

I guess I am not alone in moving forward and I know life won't be the same but I will try dam hard to make sure that its my like and not controlled by those evil little B Cells that thought they would come out to play. Hopefully they have been kicked into the long grass and are lost and long may it stay that way.

Wells thats enough of contempating today now on with the serious stuff, tonights meal ..... think it will have to be beef and squash stew with cheddar mash, off I go to prepare ... oh and a glass of nice chilled white cheers

hope everyone is as well as can be expected

john

FormerMember over 15 years ago

Greta news. Too bad about Tenerife, but it will still be there in a few months.

Anyway, bye bye b cells.

Stay cool,

Adam
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

How you must have been longing for that sunshine! What a battle you have been through, and are still going through.

The fares will be still be very reasonable in February and that will be another battle you will win.

Wishing you lots of luck, Grace/Buzzie xxx
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi John - Im so disapointed the Oncol didn't let you go on holiday - especially as Teneriffe is in the EU ! Never mind - it will still be there after your PET scan and with the current climate probably a few bargains still around too. It is still something to look forward to. Such good news about your check ups.

My Dad had NHL and Rchop - its a heavy regeime! Have you considered taking a vitamin B complex tablet daily? My Oncol told me it was fine to take it - it helps with the peripheral nueropathy! (Takes a while to work) Anyway continued good health my friend. Im booked for Teneriffe in April but I havent told my Oncol yet tee hee Love Jools x
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FormerMember over 8 years ago

I had a fairly easy time during chemo sessions but now, several weeks after they finished, I am suffering the effects of peripheral neuropathy, particularly in my feet and to a lesser extent in my hands. Has any one else had this problem is it likely to continue for a long period of time and get better or will it get worse ?    I am calling the hospital tomorrow for advice but first hand information would be useful.     David
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FormerMember over 8 years ago

Hi David   

PN can be a bugger if you are unlucky enough to get hit with it, most do suffer chemo induced PN to some extent depending on which chemo regime you were on, but it can get quite severe :(

Post chemo and for around 4-6 weeks after it can actually get worse before it starts getting better (I think this is called coasting) and depending on the extent of hand and/or foot nerve damage can take 3-4 months to ease right off.

Unfortunately for a few they can be left with permanent nerve damage this may be no worse than slight numbness.

If this is painful more than numbness you could see your GP who may recommend nerve related pain relief like NSAID's (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) until it eases off.

There is an extensive <a target="_blank" title="info page about Peripheral Neuropathy here" href="www.macmillan.org.uk/.../peripheral-neuropathy.html page about Peripheral Neuropathy here</a> you could check out.

Hope this is of some help, G n' J
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