Well, one thing's definitely changed - this sensitivity to the cold! Having had cycle 2 of the new regime (that's 15 in total!), my hands' sensitivity to cold has become sensitivity to cool: step outside, on a chilly late afternoon and - oh boy! Exquisitely painful tingling!
But at least this is avoidable - just stay warm! Thank heavens for an Aga! All other previously unavoidable Folfiri side effects continue to be absent, and we're handling the indigestion a little better I think, partly because we understand the need to act quickly and preemptively, and...
...partly because we had an excellent session with the clinic's chemo-specialist dietitian while in the clinic yesterday. She reassured us that we cannot do more than we are with my diet - it is "well known" Folfox causes indigestion, weight loss is inevitable with chemo, and weight gain all but impossible. She therefore prescribed a dietary supplement (not I emphasise a dietary replacement!) that boosts both calories and protein by a significant %age, to be the basis of mini meals between my three main meals, in order to stabilise my weight....
...as well as suppress indigestion!! To such a degree that today I relied solely on the tummy protector (aided by the steroids!). So much so that we enjoyed a wonderful few hours at lunchtime with friends, and I'm still feeling really good!
So why "maybe" in the heading? Because my regime may not turn out as we thought, at least in the short term: there's a rare side effect of Avastin that I may be susceptible to, and which my Oncologist is "taking council" on to discuss options. I am having another scan soon to support this discussion. Nothing more for now, other than to say I am just as excited by one of the options, after which Avastin becomes a viable "weapon" again...
You have the heart of a true lion, keep on fighting, so proud of you.
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