Trigger Toe and Other Tales in Here Be Dust

I went to my August 4 oncology appointment with a full sheet of questions, divided into the important issues I wanted to raise and the “if there’s time” questions. The last of my important issues read, “Infrequently (maybe once/twice a month) and prior to my start on weight-bearing exercises, wriggling of toes results in a cramp in which the right big toe gets locked in the downward position and must be pulled up/massaged until the cramp passes (a minute or two). This did not happen prior to treatment and does not happen in the left foot. Muscular, not joint pain. Like the locking symptom of trigger finger (from what I’ve read).”

My oncologist said this was neuropathy from chemo and part of the long-term (but temporary) side effects, even though I had not experienced any “trigger toe” during chemo itself.

I thought: Hmm. If this kind of delayed reaction is part and parcel of cancer treatment, other oddities might pop up. I have no idea what those might be, so I’m taking a wait-and-see approach.

As for weight-bearing exercises, I am splitting the difference between what my two oncologists (medical and radiation) have said. I’ve told both of them that I’m doing the Better Bones and Balance program. BBB includes stomps and jumps; this tutorial shows a video with both.

Jumps are not recommended “if you have a diagnosis of osteoporosis (T score is -2.5 or lower); or if you have had a previous hip or spine fracture.” That’s not me. I have osteopenia in my right hip, with a T score of -1.2, and no previous hip or spine fractures. My BBB DVD delays jumping until participants have done the program for three months (I’ve done it for two months so far) or have gotten clearance from a doctor to jump. And that’s where my oncologists differ.

After viewing my bone scan results on July 21, my radiation oncologist was all in favor of me jumping, even before I mentioned the stomps and jumps in BBB. The impact exercises deliver a bone-building stimulus and nothing causes me any pain, so he’s fine with my going full steam ahead. My medical oncologist doesn’t even want me to stomp: “resistance exercises only.” He’s afraid I’ll break something.

With eight weeks of stomps under my belt and dueling oncologists, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing.

We’re not looking at any bone medications at this point, which is fine by me. I’m a bit leery of them (my radiation oncologist feels the same way) and my medical oncologist is fine with my continuing to take calcium supplements. He suggested adding a multivitamin to my current arsenal of calcium citrate, D3, and C, so I am now taking that as well. A nurse had suggested (during my partner’s checkup) that I get my Vitamin D levels measured, which has to be done through my GP. It’s time for me to make that appointment; I had last met with my GP in March of 2014, the day she had given me my cancer diagnosis. One of my questions to my oncologist was whether it was time for me to resume my regular checkup schedule, given how cancer treatment meant that I was being examined just about every which way and repeatedly.

High on my list of questions was whether I could get a TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine. My radiation oncologist thought that should be okay but deferred to my medical oncologist, who gave me the go-ahead. (I am not yet cleared to get a shingles vaccine, which has live cultures. Turns out my immunity is still a little compromised.) My partner has been on my case to get a TDaP because she’s afraid I’ll step on a rusty nail that goes through my shoes. My sneakers have picked up the occasional roofing nail in the course of my yard work, left behind from work done in 2010, but nothing has reached skin.

I am itching to deal with the yard, which has grown more than a little shaggy from recent rains. As soon as I got the go-ahead I called our local health department and was told that immunizations are given on Thursdays and Fridays, no appointment needed. I walked in on Thursday afternoon …

… and was informed that they were booked for the day, due to an influx of children needing vaccinations for school. New plan: be there on Friday when they open at 7 a.m. Fortunately, that worked, followed by an afternoon nap.

Also high on my list of questions to my medical oncologist: What if I have another episode like my bout with E. coli and can’t keep my anastrazole down? He said it’s no big deal if I have to skip a day or two. And if I can’t keep liquid down to the point of dehydration, I can go to the cancer center for a saline drip. No need for the “drama” (his word) of the ER. I was especially happy to hear that, since my cancer center is just a few miles down the road, less than a third the distance from home as the hospital.

I continue to monitor my carpal tunnel flare-ups and am happy to note that their severity has gradually decreased since a three-hour weed-whacking session had put them into overdrive. That tells me to be more liberal with anti-inflammatories on those days when I work my hands more than usual. My oncologist clarified that anastrazole doesn’t affect my CTS directly but instead affects the muscles and joints around my carpal tunnel. My main concern had been over any potential for permanent damage from the anastrazole, but I seem to be in the clear there.

I have now filled in the design posted in my prior entry:

Large size

Done with fine-point and extra-fine-point Sharpies.

I’ve been asked to design a Sassy Cups bra for Citrus Aid, to be exhibited during the Diva Nights fundraiser in October. Later this month I’ll unveil my design at the Citrus Aid meeting.

Sassy Cups “is an event that brings together people of all walks of life – everyone from men, women and children to seniors – to decorate bras in creative, hilarious and eye-catching ways. Each bra should tell a story of hope, perseverance and support. A portion of all the contest proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.... Use your creative thinking to design a bra to express yourself or represent your business.”

The submission guidelines include a statement of up to 50 words explaining the inspiration for the piece. I focused on the mission of Citrus Aid, which provides “quality-of-life help and services to cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers in Citrus County.” I’ll post photos of my bra design after the event.

This was challenging for me and loads of fun. First I had to think of how to express Citrus Aid’s mission in a way that was compatible with a bra worn by a mannequin. I felt like a kid in a candy store as I picked up supplies, and I picked up considerably more than I actually used because I had no idea what would work and what wouldn’t. Working with these kinds of materials is new to me. Much hand-sewing was involved, and sewing is not my forte by any stretch. Trust me, my piece is nowhere near as polished as last year’s winner. (You can view last year’s entries here.) I hadn’t heard of Diva Nights or Sassy Cups until I was invited to design a bra for it – so I’ll see how I do! Stay tuned.