Chemo: the gift that keeps on giving

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Chemo: the gift that keeps on giving

I finished chemo in June. Even with my brain fog, I know that’s almost 6 months ago, but the chemo side effects are pretty persistent at hanging around.

My nails were fine all the way through chemo, then a few weeks after it ended, my fingernails began to weaken, split and break. They haven't actually fallen off, but some are threateningly loose. Of course, what does this mean? I seem to be able to knock, bang and catch them all the time.

Wednesday evening, I mange to basically stub my fingernail on the carpet….yep, I know, ridiculous. But it hurt like hell. Thursday morning, still hurts, and it's tender even when typing. Thursday night, I can see the gap between my nail and the nail bed, it's weeping some sort of horrible gunk. I do what anyone would do, bathe it in TCP, take two ibuprofen and go to bed. Friday morning, more gunk, still hurts, still swollen, warm to touch….oh oh, infection!

Thanks to the magic of our company's online GP, by 8.30am I'd spoken to a Dr, confirmed an infected finger and gotten some antibiotics.

So as say, it sure is the gift that keeps giving…..

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I am so sorry to hear about your nails, luckily you got it addressed before it got worse and worse. So feel for you. Despite your pain you still blogged. I was thinking of you and how you are and so came on here. 

    C x

  • Thank you, and it's definitely improving now x

  • Aw- that’s not fun, I don’t think the nail thing is well advertised to be honest. Do you find your toes are sore as well? 
    I lost a whole nail today, felt something in my socks and a whole nail had fallen off… my chemo finished in August…what a waste of a good pedicure that was!

    I asked the oncologist about my dodgy nails and he said they would be better in about 6 months- that wasn’t exactly cheerful!!

    Hope your antibiotics are kicking in and helping 

  • It¡s so weird, my toe nails are absolutely fine……and yes, 6 months was what I was told Cry

  • It's just awful isn't it! You get that end chemo date (mine is still in the future) and you think you're done - but no! 

    Im half way through and my veins are struggling. PICC line failed unfortunately so don't know what the plan is next. They're struggling to get blood now as it just dribbles out. 

    The joys!