Loss of full use of hands from chemo

awsumtime
Hello and welcome to the site. I am sorry that you are dealing with so many issues. I had Lymphoma in my face 5 years ago. I suffered from some of the same problems you have now. After finishing my treatments I could not multi task. Sometimes I would start saying something and have to stop, think about it and start again. My tongue always seemed to be in the way and I still bite it at times. I had Neuropathy in my toes and fingers that eventually went away. But they are still very sensitive to the cold. I tend to stumble around or run into the edges of doorways. Radiation to my head took care of the little hairs inside my ear canal for a while. I am somewhat better now but still have balance issues as my neck has went to pieces. And we have the loss of saliva glands and taste buds. I returned to work 3 months after finishing treatments and I almost drove myself crazy in the process. It took many hours of doing crossword puzzles to get my brain thinking again. It proubly took a year to stop biting my tongue and for my mental thoughts to flow better. Neuropathy is a whole other issue and can be different with everyone. I know its frustrating when we constantly have to keep fighting for any little improvement. And sometimes the pile of things wrong with us seems pretty high to climb. I hope others will answer your post and have some ideas on the neuropathy. Slickwilly

Give yourself time to ill
Hi, Awsumtime:

I, too, have had and still have some of your problems. Your body has been through a "war". You need to give it time to heal. When you are a bit stronger, get into an exercise program. I was fortunate that the YMCA had a program for cancer survivors. They helped me by putting me on a strength building program. Then, later, I did Yoga. Go slowly.

I still have problems remembering or pronouncing words with more than five syllables. Lost my great spelling skills. I can still work, but I did take time off. I've only realized recently that people have a difficult time understanding me sometimes, because my speech is affected by my dry mouth. So, no more public speaking. I can still manage a meeting or two, but need to remember to drink and speak slowing and enunciate.

You will never be the same again, but your body will adjust. Yes, it's good to be alive!

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day and many more to come!

awsumtime said:

Loss of hands from chemo induced neuropathy
I have noticed that it is difficult to get the words out when my mouth is dry. I am unable to work asa the neuropathy has gotten so bad in my hands, I can no longer type or operate a mouse. I went from 77 wpm to 19wpm with errors. I am blessed to be alive, but it is difficult accepting what I am able to do, or can only do with great difficulty. I can barely lift a gallon of milk or sack of flour. I am applying for Social Security Disability at this time. A loss of income is going to be difficult too as I planned to work another 20 years. No more 401K. It's all hard to accept and come to terms with. But. . . I choose to live.

I have that and just started

I have that and just started a new thread. How have you done? Mine is over a year now and no better.

Hands

Jim's hands have weakness.  He frequently drops things.  

Cisplatin x3.