voodoo and pirates.

I am very relieved to finally be rid of the nausea. It's so nice to be able to eat whatever without aversions or gagging. Taxol isn't quite without its issues, but as always, it's worth it. I am still finding that the second day after the infusion is still brutally exhausting. There doesn't seem to be any way around that. I guess that is regardless of the type of chemo.

The big side effect that people talk about with this hasn't hit yet: neuropathy. I originally posted this without an explanation of what neuropathy is. Basically, it's a numbness/tingling in the hands and feet. I wonder if and when that will happen. People tell me that it makes it difficult to pick things up or button shirts. Well, that's just great for someone who isn't exactly the most coordinated person to begin with. This should be interesting. For anyone who has spent any significant amount of time with me, you realize that I already have problems in this arena. I suggest wearing something waterproof around me at all times. I already have "spilling" issues. Just ask my brothers who sat through every dinner with me spilling my beverage at least once per meal as a kid.

The other main side effect is bone/joint pain. They say it's temporary, but it is, well, painful. I think the best way to describe it is to say that I think I now know what it's like to be a voodoo doll. It feels like someone is poking my bones, and joints with sharp toothpicks. Tylenol does help some with taking the edge off. It's not catastrophic, it's just annoying. It's kind of hard to get comfortable doing anything when you have a pretty constant ache.

I'm going with the image that Tammy gave me. I'm picturing the taxol as being little pirates with tiny swords stabbing at any little cancer cells that might still be floating around. That sounds pretty good to me.  Little mini Jack Sparrows running around, minus the drunken debauchery. (I don't want them poking the wrong thing in a drunken haze).  Works for me!

Side effects are what they are. They are unpleasant and annoying . However, I am grateful for them because it means I am fortunate enough to be receiving treatment where others may not be so lucky. So if it means little pirates are running around stabbing me, that's fine. To that, I say "yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me!"