Hangovers from chemo

Even though my last dose of chemotherapy was administered over two months ago, I’m still experiencing side effects related to chemo. It’s quite annoying!

For the last three weeks or so, I’ve had pins and needles in my arms and hands when I wake up. This is different to the neuropathy I had in my feet during the first round of chemo. It’s tingly pins and needles, not heaviness and pain. The sensation has eased a little in my arms, but it remains in my hands pretty much all the time now. The cancer nurse said it’s related to the nerves that have been impacted by the chemo. I am not sure when it will stop, and the nurse was so apologetic that she had no solutions for me. I have to ride it out. It’s not painful. Just annoying.

My teeth have been tender, and sometimes my gums too. I was lucky not to have mouth ulcers during chemo. But recently my teeth have been tender – like I can really feel them in my mouth. Sometimes my gums hurt from the toothpaste. It’s not every day, which is good. I must go to the dentist – which I’m scared about after previous dental trauma.

And just over a month ago, I had another unexpected mild food allergy – peanuts. My throat got scratchy after I ate peanuts, and it was eased with yoghurt and antihistamine. (The first allergy was prawns, after my first chemo – I had to call an ambulance.) I suspect a weakened immune system from the chemo, and a skin condition prone to allergies, has set the allergies off. I’m getting a referral back to the Immunology clinic again.

I joked that there was a new side effect every day during chemo – I didn’t expect them to pop up weeks and months after my last dose!

And the radiotherapy doctors and nurses have warned me that the worst side effects from radiotherapy will appear this week and next. So I’m still going gently.

No medical advice needed, thanks. I have been in touch with the doctors and nurses, of course. I just wanted to share here.

On the up side:
my hair is growing back thicker and stronger than ever, and my fingernails have almost all grown back after each one fell off halfway down the nail.

(Sunnies kindly gifted by Bailey Nelson )

Image: Carly, a woman with a red face, wearing a green floral hat, sunglasses, white shirt embroidered, with colourful flowers, jeans and sandals, standing in a laneway, smiling.

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