A blog of my encounter firstly with gastro oesophageal cancer and later with cancer at the pyloric end of the stomach. Blog started 13 October 2007.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Under siege from the chemotherapy

Well, this is it, the last week of my first phase preoperative chemotherapy! Just 2800mg of 5FU to be pumped into me and I will be done. This week is probably the worst I have felt in all the nine weeks of chemo. I am plagued by itches, rashes and blisters through the feet and on one hand. I believe it is a latent chronic fungal skin infection that has been let loose by the direct or indirect effects of the chemotherapy. The blisters on my feet are every bit as painful as those I suffered earlier in chemo, and are compounded by blood blisters around the toes. Walking is only possible as a halting shuffle.
I have also suffered quite sharp stomach aches and pains, coming on top of a general stomach unease. My appetite and taste seem to have survived unscathed, but I am eating less and am down to 83kg. My hair is still intact. I have escaped nausea.
It has been lovely to have my son and daughter and their partners staying with us for the Christmas period, but I will be SO glad to have the house back when I can do just nothing. I am really feeling the pinch now and just want to really unwind. I suppose there will be a four week interlude between chemo and surgery, we will see. I thank all family and friends for their thoughts, good wishes and prayers

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Peter and Lyndall at Cape Schanck, Victoria, June 2007

Peter and Lyndall at Cape Schanck, Victoria, June 2007