Treatment Regimen Complete

Today is Wednesday June 6th and I'm about to begin my last scheduled chemotherapy infusion, #12 of 12. As always they will send me home with a battery operated pump continuously pumping 5-FU into my veins until Friday morning at which point the pump will be disconnected and the nurses will invite me to ring the bell, a final treatment ritual here at the Cayuga Medical Center.

It's nice to be looking at the possibility of no more chemotherapy after Friday. And needless to say, it has been a grueling seven months. While writing this entry, I've tried multiple times to express the pain I've experienced going through the unexpected and badly navigated ending of a marriage. And each time I deleted what I wrote and have instead left you to imagine it. It has not made this experience easier, that's for sure.


Well, I never finished this entry and it's now Friday and the pump stopped at noon today. Treatment #12 of 12 is complete. I was with three friends when it stopped. It was a great feeling to turn it off and announce my seven month chemo regimen is now COMPLETE.

So many thoughts going through my mind. Scan in NY on June 25th. Should it be negative no more chemo and another scan three months later in September. If it comes up negative I will begin treatment for the treatment, detoxifying my body from the chemo; not an easy process but very important. Chemo can cause cancer. I want it out if my system. It's done it's job. Fresh carrot & green juices, liver supplements, etc.

In the meantime, it's no more chemo until at least until June 25th and I feel greatly relieved.

Neuropathy

Within the last week, the neuropathy [numbness & tingling] in my hands and feet has intensified. It is strong in my fingertips and goes up my forearms. It's also strong on the soles of my feet. I walked to the Ithaca Festival this evening and I was having a hell of a time because how the neuropathy had my feet feeling so weird while I walked. It seems it's going to gets worse before it gets better.

My doc recommended 100 mg of Vitamin B-6 2x day, so that's what I've been taking. I sure hope it helps. This is a weird symptom and a little disconcerting as well.