This week’s chemo for week two (02.03.2026) went well, although my labs have shown my liver is not well. But no reactions to the Taxol or Carbo at this point. And other labs and visible changes show my body is soopin’ up the chemo & pushing out white blood cells as it should be. Protein smoothies from the cancer café are pretty good, too.
Wearing the ice gloves & socks was a bit “easier” this week, but for left foot. The foot reconstruction I had a few years ago jacked with my nerves, so not sure that foot will ever adjust. I get covered in frost. Its so damn cold. Truly a test of the mind and body. So cold that it’s fiery hot & it feels like your toes just chunked off into the sock somewhere.
But the liver. They believe I have acetaminophen toxicity/inflammation, so I have been taken off all acetaminophen containing products. If youre new here, you might not know that I am reactive and/or allergic to many “heavy” pain meds/opeeeeoids & cannot take them unless via monitored IV situation, so this is a major blow to my minimal at-home pain management strategies. I don’t participate in any other problematic liver behaviors, so hoping its just that. The liver helps filter and process the chemo, so pretty vital to the process. Oh, and the acetaminophen I was taking was done under docs care – so don’t come at me.
Docs are researching wtf to do with my pain issues, as the past weekend happenings with steroids also showed I was excessively reacting to those – which i told them would happen, because its happened every time they try in the past. I can take a baby dose of ibuprofen…. which does nothing for my pain. So. Special. What’s more pain, right? Feels reminiscent of being awake during my hysterectomy, then waking up to a broken pain pump that was ignored for 8 hours after said major surgery years ago. Or those boiling water 3rd degree burns from 2nd grade. Or endo ripping through my abdominal flesh.
Ive also got a mad case of chemo-nose/sinus. Lost my nose hair, which triggers this constant, endless drip that somehow causes Sahara desert like dryness with inflammation and bleeding deep into the sinuses. Burns when you breathe. Currently figuring out a better plan than “use vaseline” for that one.
Fingers crossed.
Its all part of the experience, Clark.
Brief Saturday Updates to Wrap the week:
-All Zarxio shots were successful this week and I’ve been taking Pepcid along with them to help stave off more bodily reactions. The bone pain is still too much, but I’m settling in that it is unavoidable and just an ugly part of the process.
-I found nasal and sinus relief from Rhinase! Gels, lubricants, and nasal sprays designed with minimal ingredients and made for the nose! pH balanced, chemical free. I’ve been using it for multiple days and it is fantastic.
-I am still in pain management limbo.
-I will meet with my oncologist on Tuesday to see how my labs look and adjustments may be made for whatever is happening with my liver.