Round 5 of chemotherapy commenced today. It was not completely straightforward, but ultimately essentially uneventful. It was touch and go for a bit as to whether the treatment would go ahead due to a recent development in one of Sue's side effects.  Over the last week, what had previously been only 'tingly and numb' fingers and toes, became a bit more visibly affected by one or other of the various poisons/toxins introduced into her body. A genteel and polite way of explaining it would be to say that her fingers and the soles of her feet are 'peeling'. A similar thing is starting to happen in her mouth.

As far as Sue's feet are concerned, 'peeling' does not really paint an adequate picture. The word 'de-laminating' would be more accurate. If you have ever seen the way a re-tread tyre disintegrates in layers - imagine the tyre as a foot.... Quite visually stunning, and a little confronting. I have resisted the urge to post a photograph!

This is a known side effect of the tablets Sue is taking and is (not very) imaginatively called 'Hand-Foot Syndrome'. What a lost opportunity to introduce some awesome-sounding label like 'Sole Shredding Maceration Malady' or 'Phalangic Destruction Disorder'!!  Sue wondered about 'Foot and Mouth' thereby giving passing acknowledgement of her dairying heritage. We soon realized that the dairying connection was already stronger than we thought!

The doctor's considered response to Sue's 'malady' was to proceed with the infusions today but delay commencement of 14 days of tablets until next week to allow some recovery time for her feet. The nurses' response was to introduce us to Moo Goo Udder Cream - the preferred and proven topical treatment.

 

Apparently this started life as an Aussie-made udder cream (like, you know, for cows...) but has now crossed over to human skin care and expanded its range considerably!

The Direction for Use stay true to the products' roots saying:-

"Wash udder and teat parts thoroughly before each milking to avoid contamination of milk. Apply udder cream to udder after each milking, massaging into the skin. For teat cracks, apply sufficient quantity to fill crack and surrounding area. As an aid in softening swollen udders during calving, apply liberally twice daily with a gentle massage."

My imagination went a little wild at this point as it tried to relate bovine body parts to human equivalents until Sue gave me 'a stern look' and I dispelled all forming images from my mind....

The only bit of the directions that may not have been written by a vet reads:-

"May be used for dry or chaffed skin and as an aid in keeping skin soft and supple."

Apparently the go for those with chemo-induced 'Hand-Foot Syndrome' is to smother on the Udder Cream at night and then put on socks so the feet baste all night....mmmmm.

We will keep you posted on how this bovine madness unfolds.