I'm currently just over halfway through 6 weeks of radiotherapy (30 sessions) and chemotherapy (6 sessions of Cisplatin).
The first week wasn't too bad - slight burning sensation developed in my mouth and on my tongue from the radio and I had a good vomiting seizure for about twenty minutes a couple of hours after my 5 hour chemo session - though I did feel nauseous for about 2 days after this,and not exactly great after that.
I use E45 cream for my increasingly reddening skin - the radio is slowly tightening my 9 inch lypmh node removal scar and my tongue is tightening up too where I had laser surgery.I read on this forum that Aloe Vera gel is a great help for my skin and I ordered the highest quality from the internet - however this obviously didn't agree with my delicate celtic skin (!) as it made me peel like an orange within an hour of whenever I used it.
Week 2 stepped up a level (as expected) and my mouth became more sensitive (i.e. burned).The Cisplatin brought on a more prolonged sickness and my nausea lasted longer.
Weeks 3 and 4 stepped up the burning sensation and my mouth is now very sensitive and swallowing is a little difficult/painful. The cisplatin did it's business after my fourth session and I was vomiting constantly for 4 1/2 hours.Weeks 5 and 6 loom large - so I hope the consultant can re-jig my medication accordingly.
All my symptoms were predicted (I am also increasingly tired)but I am a little puzzled by a change in my walking gait.During week four I noticed that I'm not putting my left foot down properly when I walk (my surgery/treatment was on the left).On the right foot I have a normal heel to toe contact, yet on the left I'm slapping it down whole at once (flat footed is another explanation) which I've never done before - and my left leg as a whole feels weak.I've had sciatica before but in no way is it anything like that.I spoke to the on-call Registrar who seemed to think I had a bad back -I dont like to criticise doctors, but I got the impression that was a bit of a guess, as I haven't exactly been able to do anything for 4 months which would remotely bring any such problem on.
I've heard through another medical contact (a General Practitioner) that Cisplatin can bring on flat footedness so I'd be interested if anyone else has had similar issues.