Anyone else notice this (chemo infusion + radiation)

[Tab]

I'm into my last week of chemo + radiation, then a few weeks off, then surgery, then more chemo if needed.

I've been tolerating it reasonably well so far - I mean, it sucks, but I know it can be worse.

That said, the last week it's really hit me hard. I've always been quite tired from it (have some anemia to boot) but now I'm extra tired. I'm also more nauseous, skin is drying out more (eyes constantly dry, bags under the eyes, back of hands drying up), constantly exhausted, repeating myself (possibly in this email too, as I can't go back and read it), radiation area in pain, yada, yada, yada.

I blame the chemo more than the radiation, because of the affected areas. Has anyone else run into this, and/or found it progressively worse? It wasn't too awful (relatively) when I started, but it's just progressively, cumalatively worse, it seems.

Colon cancer, btw.

[auntAgonist]

1. hey Tab

My Mother received the radiation and chemo treatments for her colon cancer. This was done as part of a test group 11 years ago. They never used to do both, only chemo as I understand. The good news is that if they are doing both after 11 years they must be finding it to be beneficial.
She had a fair bit of nausea from the chemo and I know her skin dried out a lot too.
I'm so very sorry you're going through this.
I wish you much success in the treatments and I hope that you can feel well enough to enjoy this Christmas Season.

best wishes to you and your family.
You're being thought of today!

:hug:
aA
kesha

[Tracer]

2. Dear Tab ---

for your dry skin, please have a family member go to the drugstore and pick up a jar of Aquaphor.

This was recommended to me by one of my oncology nurses. It's great stuff!

My daughter (who is perfectly healthy) uses it now too --- just to alleviate the "winter dry skin".