Some Side Effects
Writing tonight while I have some side effects on my mind. I have been knitting some Christmas gifts and knitting a lot, and I’ve developed a bump on my index finger. It is painful as it is on my joint, and it hurts every time I bend my finger. I thought maybe it was caused by knitting, but I read that knitting is supposed to help arthritis, so I just tend to think it is overuse of joints that already ache from chemo or immunotherapy. I have trouble with my knee joints and my finger joints now. My knees creak going up stairs, and I have to take them pretty slowly. And now my finger joints are hurting after knitting. It could be osteoarthritis and just aging. Ugh. But I have a feeling it’s related to my joint pain and aches from chemo or immuno. So, I bought the arthritis ring/splint in the photo, and it has really helped my finger feel better. The bump is still there, but at least it doesn’t hurt so much anymore as it keeps me from bending my finger. I’m going to ask my oncologist to look at it the next time I see him just to make sure it’s not a cyst or a tumor. Dr. Google says it could be a tumor! But I have a feeling it’s more related to treatment or aging.
Another side effect I am dealing with is weakening nails. I have to keep them short, or they bend, break, split, and peel. If I keep them slightly longer like in the photo of my nails above, they break, even under my new “solution” to my problem — nail wraps. I love Dashing Diva nail strips. I haven’t tried other ones, but Dashing Diva strips are super easy to use, and they’re long-lasting. Most importantly, they kind of protect my nails. They still break as they grow out, but if I keep them short, the nail wraps work great. I have to keep my nails polished or under nail wraps now. I have always had really long, strong nails. I was able to keep them long with no effort. Now I have to spend time on them every week, so it’s kind of annoying. But I’ve made doing my nails part of my Self Care Sundays. And if it’s my worst side effect of treatment, I’ll take it.
My hair is getting longer now! I can put it in a short ponytail now, and I feel better about myself with some length to my hair, more like myself again.
I had absolutely no nausea and no typical chemo headache after chemo this past treatment. The nurse made a mistake, and air got in my line, so I couldn’t get my full dose of chemo, what was left in the line. I am a little nervous about that this week, but mistakes happen, and there was nothing I could have done about it, so I’m trying to be ok with it. The good thing is that missing that little amount took my nausea away and my day-after-chemo headache away, so that was nice.
Well, it’s getting late, and I am really tired, so I’ll sign off for tonight. My side effects of treatment are completely manageable, so I can’t complain. Just has made me think of what will happen to my body as I continue to remain on chemo and immunotherapy. Hope my body holds up for a long, long time. I would hate to have to stop treatment, especially one that’s working, just because my body can no longer handle a side effect of treatment. But I don’t have to worry about that today, so I will save those worries for another day and just get some good sleep tonight.
Will write from chemo on Wednesday. Have a nice weekend, everyone! Stay safe and healthy!