I Hate Capecitabine So it Better Work

I am still battling Hand Foot Syndrome (HFS). My oncologist told me to take a week off Capecitabine and then restart at a lower dose. At the one week mark, my symptoms were still bad, so I was told to wait another week. That was Wednesday. My symptoms were still troubling but somewhat tolerable and I know I need this drug, so I started back. The HFS started becoming worse again Thursday evening. My toes really hurt today and I have another finger with a deep crack in it. I am determined to take it until next Wednesday (11/13) I have treatment 91 and the chemo infusion nurses will send my symptoms to my oncologist for review. But, of course, that will be the day I begin a glorious week OFF capecitabine. I am really struggling emotionally with the foot pain and not being able to walk for extended periods of time. Walking is so good for my physical and mental health and I miss it. I could not play the piano for church last week but should be able to get through it this Sunday. I’ve practiced most days this week and it is good to spend time thinking and praying through music.

December 2 will be a long day at Barnes. I have a brain MRI at 8 am and see my radiation oncologist for the preliminary results a couple hours later. It is wonderful that they do not make me wait long. Then I see my oncologist and have treatment 92. Dave and I will be at Barnes (main campus) from 7:30 am until around 4:00. So we will leave home around 3:30 am and get back home to the farm around 8:00 pm. We try to get things scheduled like this (in one long day) to save gas money and to avoid hotel expenses. It gets difficult, but driving up the lane as we get home is such an amazing feeling. For me, there is no place like home. In September I had my first clear brain scan since 2020. Here’s hoping for the second one in December.