Struggling

Don't read this post if you are put off by sordid details!

It is difficult to be positive when you feel so horrible. I have had dreadful diarrhea for the last few days, plus I am throwing up without warning. No feelings of nausea, just a sudden upchuck. Last night I threw up immediately I had finished my meal (strawberries and icecream) and swallowed my first Xeloda. I waited a bit, then took the three tablets. Kept them down, then had a nasty accident from the other end when I got up to go to bed. Cleaned that up, took a Gastrostop, then threw up again. It was more than an hour since the Xeloda, so that should have dissolved.

I am sleeping lots, so I should start feeling better soon, I hope. However, the foot-hand syndrome has started again - much earlier this cycle than in the past. Lots of cream on my feet seems to be helping.

Cycle 5 Xeloda

There was a bit of good news yesterday - the CEA marker has dropped from 4400 to 3500. So I had my infusion of Oxaliplatin and Avastin and started the Xeloda again this morning.

I am having a bad time with the Oxaliplatin side effects. I have pins and needles in both my hands and up my right arm (which was the one the cannula was in) plus in the calves of both legs. These are bearable, but I am also having difficulty swallowing any liquid at all that is not at least body temperature. Any colder and my throat closes up and I find it difficult to breathe. Scary! Also a bit of a problem when it comes to trying to replenish fluids - I still have diarrhea. Have had several cups of tea - can't take warm water unflavoured. Nose drip is worse than usual, too.

I had appointments today for some more Bowen therapy for my shoulder and for another hypnotherapy session. I cancelled the Bowen therapy one because I felt so unwell, and then the hypnotherapist rang and cancelled his session. Can't say I was sorry about that.