Chemo Week 2 Update

This is the second week since the end of the 5FU update. So far the change in the frequency of the nausea medicine seems to have solved the problem of throwing up. Yippee! (Throwing up 4 plus times a day was starting to get old.) I am experiencing a different set of side effects from the 5FU and there is one odd one that I think is from the Cisplatin.

One of side effects from the 5FU at this point is a general sense of tiredness. I don't think its fatigue because with fatigue there are problems sleeping. At this point I could fall asleep almost on command. Prior to all of this I would have just downed a few shots of espresso but that option isn't available yet. :-) Another side effect is a numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet. I don't think I am feeling numb in my fingers but I do have a loss of dexterity. It is like they are only 90% there. A very odd feeling. It doesn't really impact much of what I can or can not do though I am a bit more careful when handling things.

Another side effect is mouth sores. This one came on loud and clear. On top of the residual radiation effects my mouth was quite the painful place. Fortunately they do have me on some good pain meds and that seems to keep it under control. The downside is that one of the side effects of the pain meds is to make you drowsy. I have noticed recently that the mouth sores seem to be dwindling a bit now.

Now for the odd side effect. I think I mentioned back aways that I didn't need to shave because none of my facial hair was growing. Well about 3 weeks ago one half of a mustache started to grow. Now I could grow a full mustache but no other facial hair has returned yet. Very strange. Not too worry though. No mustache for me.

To help combat the tiredness I am starting to do some light exercises. Basically just some simple exercises with 2 pound hand weights. We have a Nintendo Wii and I also plan to start playing tennis on that for a few minutes a day with the goal to work up to a combined 30 minutes. I had hoped that the new peripheral Wii Fit would have been available by now but it isn't due out until mid May at this point. By then I will be all done. (Of course I will probably still get it then. :-))