Yesterday I finished the third treatment in my second round of chemotherapy.  The drug I'm getting this time around is called paclitaxel (brand name Taxol).  I will be getting it via injection once a week for three weeks, with a week off each cycle.  It's supposed to be much better than the drugs in the first round, which one of the chemo nurses referred to as "the mack daddy of cancer treatment" (and patients can only get once in their lifetimes because it's so toxic to your heart).  I'm very glad to be done with that round, though I really cannot complain about the side effects.  I was tired for about three or four days after the treatment and achey (like having the flu) but that is about it.  Oh, well, I'm bald too, but that didn't really hurt.  But this round is either creating a cumulative effect of the drug(s) or the side effects are just more apparent.


Dry skin, dehydration and fatigue are cumulative during this round, as the treatments are more frequent, and though I'm an old pro at these I can already tell they are getting worse.  The hot flashes are sticking around, unfortunately, but they are familiar and somehow that makes them tolerable.  There is another side effect that the medical professionals worry about, called peripheral neuropathy, but I don't think I'm experiencing that yet.  Instead I am displaying a "seldom seen" side effect called hand-foot syndrome.
  
This fun side effect makes the palms of my hands and the bottoms of my feet feel hot and itchy.  I suppose this is tolerable, at least right now, but it's really irritating.  I'm hoping (against all I've read) that this does not have a cumulative effect, but I'm afraid it will get worse.


Right now I only have an itchy feeling and at times my palms are red, but it can progress to peeling skin, tenderness, pain and even blistering.  Today I've already had some discomfort walking, but no blisters or anything are evident.  What's worse, they (the ubiquitous "they") really don't know what causes this reaction.  It could possibly be due to the rupture of capillaries in these areas as a result of the drugs.


Moisturizing my hands and feet seems to be the most important thing, as well as elevating my feet as often as I can (at least for a week after the infusion).  Thus, I spent an obscene amount on a various assortment of natural moisturizers the other day, hoping I find one that works well.  So far Bert's Bee's Mama Bee cooling leg and foot creme provides some temporary relief from both the heat and the itchiness, but I'll keep you updated.  I have a lot of hope for several of the other choices, as well.