Week 1 Done ✔️

So I'm now on day 10 and I don't know what I expected to be honest. If you've been following my Instagram then you'd see I've actually had a really positive week mentally and even though I have the odd bout of lethargy, which I still think is from brain radiotherapy, and the regular hot flush I've felt like a normal mum and wife for the first time in a very long time! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

No, seriously. I've survived in keeping 2 children alive as well as making sure I'm still eating 3 meals a day, I've cooked, I've cleaned, I've decluttered so much (very belated lockdown decluttering 😂), AND upstairs in our house is finally done done with the finishing decorative touches. Which of course we all know is very satisfying. 🙊

I didn't do the whole thing alone, mind you. Dad and grandparents are about, too. I'm no superhuman! 🤣 I think it was just nice to feel normal and to know I could do it because there will be days where I can't... and that's ok!

I've been told that side effects can take a couple of weeks to set in and I will be leaving week 2 soon so I'm a little anxious and I hope they're kind to me.

The main side effects I've been told about are:

• Soreness and tingling in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet which can lead to going dry and cracked

• Diarrhoea

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Mouth sores and ulcers

• Nausea

There are some more as you can imagine but alot of them are "worst case" that you obviously have to be informed of.

For those of you that know me, you know I've had a bad skin condition for many years (I'm pretty sure it's eczema, I was never told for sure) on my hands which mostly flares up in the winter but can occur all year round. My skin cracks badly in the bends of my fingers, under and next to nails, anywhere... It's bad.

On the awful days my ability to use them would be limited and it affected my anxiety because I worked in retail and - you guessed it - customers would comment on it.

"Oh that looks sore" - does is Karen? Thanks for the observation. 😂 I'd even get comments off colleagues if I wore cotton gloves.

Which brings me to the soreness. I've started to feel it in my feet for a few days now. 😖 And today my mouth has started tingling. 😬 I was hoping it was psychosomatic but it's very unlikely so I reached out to the community for advice and ordered myself a MooGoo oncology pack for moisturising recommended by a majority to see how I get on. From what I see they're eco-friendly and organic and seem to be pretty popular amongst the ladies online and in the support groups.

To those of you recently diagnosed - or anyone going through this - get into those groups! The people there are amazing and such a crutch during times of need and uncertainty. If you need help on where to look then do get in touch. ♥️

Here's to another positive week. 🤞 One day at a time.