Hand-Foot Syndrome | Team Denise!

Tag: Hand-Foot Syndrome

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Splitting Hairs and Walking on Eggshells

Only its not hairs that are splitting,
it’s now the skin on my feet that is splitting.
The past 3 weeks it was my fingers – spits on my fingertips and along my cuticles that made it necessary to wear band-aids and finger cots to protect my fingers.

Now it is my feet.
Especially my heels
Painful splits

Until now, it seemed that I might be able to “dodge” the Hand-Foot Syndrome that is one of the side effects of the Xeloda that I’m taking.

I’m slathering my feet with cream and aloe gel and then sleeping with socks over all that.
Offering some relief, but still is painful.

I’m literally walking on eggshells.
At least it Feels like it.

Painfully painfully so…

Tags: Hand-Foot Syndrome, splits, Xeloda

Posted in Coping, Dealing with Gene Therapy Drug Reactions, frustration, Gene Therapy Drug Reactions, sadness, Stress, tired | 1 Comment »

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Finger and Toe Nails

Finally got around to posting the photos of my finger and toe nail beds.

One result of the chemo infusions was that my finger and toe nails turned dark - looked like they were hit with a hammer.

Now that some time has passed since the chemo, the nails are no longer as dark as they were before, but they are very dry, and several have developed crack lines that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. I’m not looking forward to when those lines give out…

Also, my 2 large toe nails are separating from the nail bed. I guess it’s a good thing I stopped painting them when all this started cuz I’ll probably loose them both… I don’t think nails “spontaneously re-attach” hahaha

For some reason, both of my pinkie toes are bright red… it must have something to do with the Hand-Foot Syndrome. Fun with cancer.

There’s really nothing I can do, though I am soaking my feet in cool water with Epson salts, just cuz it feels nice. And I’m trying to keep ample lotion on them.

I’d LOVE to go to get a pedicure, but I’m not sure if it would be the best idea to stick my feet in a public-used facility, regardless of sanitation, considering my situation. They’re so ugly right now anyway, I really don’t want them “out in public”…

So I just have to sit back and watch what is happening.

It’s a Nuclear Reaction Party and my Body is the Guest of Honor.

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