Sent a message to my Oncologist this morning.  🙁

Good morning. So… my neuropathy is back. 🙁 Can you hear me crying from Maple Valley? Ok, not really, but I am concerned enough to send you a message. I was so pleased that it went away completely after chemo. I guess I thought that meant I was in the clear. Apparently my guess was wrong. 🙁

Since chemo, whenever I use the bike, treadmill or elliptical at the gym, my toes are very numb and tingly by the end. That goes away shortly after I’m done and I haven’t noticed any other neuropathy in my feet. I can live with that.

However, this past week, the neuropathy is back in my right hand/arm/shoulder. It started on Monday with just a little tingling in my fingers that came and went. I noticed it while working in the kitchen as it came and went for a few days.

See next message…I’m only allowed 1000 characters…

Part 2

Yesterday, the tingling numbness and now heaviness went up to my shoulder and never really went away. It’s still there this morning. I am thankful for no pain in my fingertips and so far it’s only stopped me for carrying a heavy bag full of the kids’ stuff at school last night. (Tom looked great carrying my polka-dot purse all evening!)

I’m curious what we can do about this. I have read and heard from a friend that vitamin B12 can help. Are there any exercises/massage/supplement/non-drug options we have before trying the Neurontin? And if so, can I start whatever it is with my ovaries removal surgery scheduled for next Friday?

Sorry for the long message. 🙂

What does this mean?  I have no idea.  I’m really sad it’s back.  Since it started to appear when cooking and doing dishes, maybe this is a sign from God that I shouldn’t be doing those things.  I’m totally kidding, but have to find some way to laugh at this or I might start crying!!

My body is definitely not the same after chemo.  I feel old every time I stand up.  If I’ve been sitting down for a while it take a minute for my body to move comfortably.  I’m fighting it and going to the gym most days, usually spending time stretching and on the bike or treadmill.  I’ve done some nautilus machines with my legs, but with surgeries and antibiotics, I have not been able to be consistent with that.  It feels good to move, but exercising is just not the same as it was in September.  (Plus working out by myself is boring.  I miss my friends!)

I’m thankful to have the girls home today and look forward to time as a family this weekend.  Things have been crazier than usual for Tom at work, so we are happy to be able to spend time with him this weekend!

As you pray for our family will you pray specifically:

• That I will not be discouraged about the return of the neuropathy and if possible, that we can fight it with something natural and not Neurontin.
• Wisdom for the Dr. during my surgery on Friday, June 3rd to remove my ovaries.
• Strength and energy for me as this is a busy week with extra things I need to do with the girls.
• Fast recovery from my surgery next week – especially that I can make it to the girls’ first piano recital on June 5th!
• That I will not have a bad reaction to Vicodin.  I managed to not need it with the last surgery, but with this next one, I don’t think it will be an option.  I’m going to take one on Sunday afternoon just to see what happens and will report back to the Dr. if we need to come up with another plan for after surgery.
• That we will be able to enjoy time as a family, no matter what we do.  Stress can be pretty high at times in our home.  Please pray we manage it well.

Thank for praying with us,  Enjoy your weekend!