Blood clots and chemo questions

Oxi

The first time I had the Oxiplatinum I couldn't drink cold things for 5 days, then it became 7 days, then about 9 days, the progression stopped after 9 days of not being able to drink cold things, so for 6 months, I dealt with it, until I was able to have surgery (they told me I would never be able to have surgery but thanks to the Oxi, Xeloda and the other one which I have now forgotten, it was over 4 years ago) I did.  The cold toes and fingers went away, took a month for thr hands to feel good again, and about six months for the feet After stopping the chemo.

I am on the Oxiplatinum again, and have been doing it for three months now,every single week for 4 weeks then a two week break then every week for 4 etc.  This time has been different, I get a glass of ice water and drink it during the infusion and keep my hands on the glass (actually plastic glass) keeping my hands cool.  I am able to drink cold water on day one and every day after.  The cold sensitivity still lasts in the hands, but not as severe as the first go around, I still can't hold the ice water without a couple of paper towels wrapped around it. Why this time it is different I don't know, is it because I'm drinking cold water and keeping my hands cool, or is it because it's just different this time.  Four years ago, after the infusion was started the cold sensitivity hit me right away, touching the handle of the toilet to flush hurt from the cold as well as the knobs on the sink and water to wash my hands.  This go around, I can touch all the knobs I want and not feel bad at all.  And I don't even care for water that is cold from the fridge, I put mine in the freezer until it ices up and then I can drink it quite happily, and this is from the day of Oxi and every day after.  Mind you for the first 4 or 5 days, I can't chug water down that cold, I can only take small sips otherwise it does bother me.

So it will get better, eventually... some people still have some sensitivity long after but many do not.  My first time was very severe sensitivity and I dreamed about cold water that I couldn't have, and yes it made me sad.  I actually had to microwave room temperature water because even that was too cold for me, so I do understand your suffering, and yes it sucks, but it doesn't last forever, it gave me a lot more years of life and now again is helping me stay here on earth a little while longer.

And there is nothing wrong in asking for help to deal with the issues you are having, cancer and it's treatments can be very depressing.  So check on anti-depressants and even a therapist, it won't hurt and it will probably help you deal with it.  If I hadn't found CSN and the many people that helped me deal with and understand the chemo's and there effects, I might have been very depressed.  I'm lucky I found this place.

Things will get better, as you learn to deal with the side affects (ask your onc if dose can be lowered a little bit) and the cancer.

It'll be okay.  Holding you in my heart.

Winter Marie