Saturday, May 22, 2010

WHAT DOES "NEUROPATHY" FEEL LIKE?


 I DON'T KNOW IF MY RUNNING SHOES FIT, BECAUSE I CAN'T FEEL MY TOES.
 

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a set of symptoms or problems caused by damage to peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves are nerves that control the sensations and movements of our arms and legs.  Chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy is caused by the chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatment.

 The most common symptoms are
 Pain
 Burning
 Tingling ("pins and needles" feeling)
 Shrinking muscles
 Muscle weakness
 Trouble using your fingers to pick up or hold things; dropping things
 Balance problems
 Trouble with tripping or stumbling while walking
 Loss of feeling (can be numbness or just less ability to sense pressure, touch, heat, or cold)
 More response to pressure or temperature (mostly cold), so that things hurt more than usual

Sometimes the symptoms are short-term. They go away over time after treatment is done. In other cases, it can take up to 2 years for the symptoms to totally go away.

American Cancer Society

neuropathy is SO FUNNY!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

MULTIPLE CHOICE:

IN DECEMBER 2008 I FELL DOWN.  
I FELT CERTAIN THERE WAS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH ME.


IN JANUARY 2009. I WENT TO MY DOCTOR, GOT TESTED, AND SAW A SPECIALIST, WHO PUT ME ON ANTIBIOTICS AND A LIQUID DIET.


ON MARCH 30, 2009 I HAD EMERGENCY SURGERY FOR A PERFORATING COLON.  

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COLON CANCER THAT HAD SPREAD TO MY LIVER.  IN THREE MONTHS, I HAD LOST 35 LBS.


HOW DID I FEEL?




A.  SICK AS A DOG







B. END OF THE WORLD



C. GOOD!



IT'S GOOD TO HAVE AN OUTLET.  THANKYOU BLOGGER.COM

FRAIDY



i'm invited to talk to a group of palliative care professionals about blogging for health.  i'm scared of groups. my brains fall out.  i stammer and die when i have to leave a phone message on an answer machine, let alone speak to people who can see me.

Sunday, May 9, 2010