Strange things

I've got that tune from the movie Toy Story running through my head this morning. The lyrics croon, "strange things are happening to me." Yup, that's how I feel. No, my hair is still firmly affixed to my head, much to my delight.

It's the other little side effects of chemotherapy making me chuckle. Not because they're particularly funny, but because the combination of all these little side effects, add up to one big annoyance. Of course, nothing's easy and maybe laughing is my way of dealing with them.

Earlier this week, I broke out in a rash of small, red, very itchy bumps on my hands, arms, legs and belly. I thought it was a delayed reaction to the chemotherapy, but my home care nurse (Roman) told me my body/skin will change and I may suddenly develop a reaction to products or environmental allergens. Great!

So I ditched my beloved deodorant Irish Spring, which I suspected as the cuprit, and tried cucumber and aloe Dove. Two days later, my rash is gone.

My body is also drying out. My skin craves lotion, my eyes get sticky, the inside of my nose feels dry and lip balm is my new best friend. Since I've always consumed a lot of water, I suspect this continued habit prevents my mouth from drying out.

I'm also getting these weird red dots on my skin. There's only two (that I know of) right now, but more may suddenly appear after my next treatment. I'm only hoping that we won't have enough to play connect the dots as the weeks go on.

To top it off, chemo also cause pimples. So I'm essentially a middle-aged woman with dry skin, red dots and pimples. Throw in the round belly from the ascities and the impending baldness and I'll be a sight. Sigh.

But again, I have to laugh and find the humour in this situation. You can laugh with me. It is quite ridiculous.

Happy Friday!
Tina