Hi, I had the same treatment in 2007-2008. I was left with reasonably severe neuropathy for the first 12 months or so. It is apparently due to the oxalipalitan. My onc explained that it destroyed some of the myelin sheath of the nerves and it also caused die-back in the peripheral nerves. My understanding is that, like with many things with cancer, it is the luck of the draw as to the long term residual effects. After I finished treatment, my feet were incredibly painful, but the pain did slowly ease. I still have numbness in my toes and the soles of my feet. At least it doesn't travel half way up my leg anymore!I still have difficulty co-ordinating jumping for some reason? My hands are generally better but I still encounter difficulties with fine motor activities at times and they have pins and needles and numbness which wakes me at night. It is similar in symptoms to carpel tunnel. I work on theory that at least I am here to feel it! Good luck with it all and apart from massage and acupuncture, I can't really give any other advice. Perhaps just knowing that others experience it will help. Samex ... View more

Hi. The hospital may be able to give your mum a mouth wash for the ulcers or if you make up a solution of bicarb and water it does the trick. Just don't swallow!I found it to be quite helpful if you sloosh it around your mouth a few times a day. Don't know about the rash - ask at her clinic. They should be able to help. Hope that she is feeling OK Samex ... View more

Hi David, Like Sailor I have just come across this. I finished chemo in April 2008 and still have some neuropathy but it is better than it was. Your case seems much different with it recurring 6 years later. I found it quite delibilitating at first but it has eased over the past 6-12 months. I do need to wear "sensible" shoes for work and find that my hands tingle every night. Massage and acupuncture seemed to give some relief. I do agree with Sailor, that a return to your oncologist may be needed. MAddie, your partner is possibly going through the same thing. For me it did ease off but it certainly got worse before it got better. Samex ... View more

Hi nightcap, My youngest son was 13 when I was diagnosed. He was kept out of the loop, especially when I was very ill initially in hospital. He struggled quite significantly with this down the track. He told me later that he was confused and no-one would tell him what was happening. It actually took my Principal(I am a teacher at my son's High School) to take him aside and explain my predicament. He felt that he wasn't trusted enough to be able to understand. I would definately be upfront with your kids. They deserve it, particularly if they have a strong relationship with their father. Samex ... View more

Hang in there Suel. The waiting must be horrendous. Samex ... View more

The spammers have gone beserk today!!! They seem to realy like this post! ... View more

Allicat - that is a deal! Keep on going. S ... View more

Hi Vicki, This is the same regime that I had for 12 cycles.Gotta love the fasion accessory of the bottle and its lovely reassuring beep every minute! I found the nausea was controlled by the anti-nausea drugs they gave me and I was pretty good at taking them. I often felt yukky early in the morning after the evening drugs wore off, but hey, we all get there in the end don't we?! I didn't do any supplements as I was a bit scared about the interference and I was in unknown territory. other friends who have been through chemo have used trusted naturopaths to help them through . I guess it is an individual decision and really depends on how you feel and what you feel like eating. Good luck with it all and rememeber that there is always someone here to listen if you are feeling a bit off. Take care and see if you can colour co-ordinate the bag for 5FU to your outfit!I had a great oncology nurse who always gave the females first choice in the colours of the bags. Sexist but funny! Samex ... View more

What sort of bread Harker? Yum. A bit too hot in Sydney this week for baking. I think I am going to "bludge" a swim in the neighbour's pool. I can remember feeling actually quite relieved when a colleague said that I looked really tired one day. It was quite refreshing to have someone state the truth rather than try to cheer me up by saying that my pale, steroid bloated face looked OK. I also think that perhaps people have expectations of chemo patients to be throwing up constantly(I think my mother-in-law was actually disappointed that I was only nauseous. All her friends were always throwing up??), and thin and frail. I grew fat and while the fatigue was so frustrating, I hardly grew frail - thnkas to steroids. Sometime we don't fit the stereotype! Allicat, can I admire you for still running? I'm impressed!! Samex PS Harker - I hope you enjoyed your Saturday. ... View more

Food - brilliant Harker. Arguably my favourite topic and paradoxically my ultimate downfall. I grew up surrounded by meals, always with dessert, with my family around the kitchen table and my older brother would constantly ask"are you going to eat all that". Consequently I learned to eat effectively from quite a young age. I am not a great meat cook but I have found my forte in desserts and baking. My younger son has also involved himself in this and makes mean profiteroles from scratch. My husband makes wonderful curries and my eldest son cooks in order to survive! Craftyone, how true it is to find the yummy comfort food that isn't bad for you! While I love fruit, I am delighted if it morphs into berry and apple crumble with homemade vanilla icecream. Harker, I haven't done any reading but I too am facinated by the sociology of food. It brings us together in times of celebration and of grief and can determine our moods to some extent. I agree so much better than chatting about cancer around the bbq table. thanks for bringing this to us. enjoy the tomato day. Samex ... View more