Well-being tip #10: How to beat neuropathy & keep smiling
First of all: I’m honoured that Francine asked me to write a blog on neuropathy, as I totally love her website & blogs.
Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Odette Schoonenberg and I’m a Dutchie, living in Amsterdam. In 2015 I was diagnosed with three different forms of cancer: cervical, ovarian and lung. Thanks to the amazing medical team of Holland’s most renowned oncology clinic, I was declared “clean” on February 15th. Merely a few weeks ago. After 29 chemos, 3 surgeries, 3 Brachy’s and 26 radiation sessions, I consider myself lucky to be up & running, feeling pretty healthy and energetic. In my daily life I’m the owner of a successful PR-agency. By now, I’m also “the face of cancer” in the Netherlands, as I blog weekly for the women’s website of our biggest newspaper.
Thanks to my blogs, and my status as the “Buddhist on High Heels”, I became the o
ther ‘voice’ of cancer. Meaning that I try to break through the taboos around cancer, plus add a bit of my optimistic nature to the otherwise so “dark” side of writing about cancer. Well, enough about me. Let’s get to the main reason of why Francine asked me to write a guest blog.
Since the last chemo sessions (for those of you who wish to know: I had two sessions of 9x carbo/taxol in a row, followed by 5x cisplatin), I started having pretty stubborn neuropathic pains in my hands and feet. Now the hands are kind of easy to deal with, as long as I keep them moving, they are ok. However, if your pains are truly annoying, I would advise you to by a set of stress balls. You could start by squeezing them gently and if it feels okay, make a habit out of squeezing them several times a day. You might even want to get yourself a waterproof version, so you can exercise in warm water (ie sink or the bath tub).
As for the legs and feet, now that’s a whole different story. After a bunch of sleepless nights, I decided that it was time for drastic measurements. Somehow I had the urge to go for a run. Well, that itself was easier said than done, as I was still recovering from the ‘shipload’ of treatments. Yet I bought myself a pair of light weight running shoes anyway. The first few days I started walking the park with my dogs. Extending the walks little by little every day. Slowly one hour became two hours. Yet never in spite of everything, as I safeguarded the signals my body gave me. Bad weather? Too tired? Hey, even 10 minutes or half an hour is better than nothing. When I felt like it, I started running a bit in between the walks. No obligations, just followed my gut feeling. When I feel real active, I nowadays even “run on the spot” at home or in the park, while counting to 50. Depending on how you feel, you can do that several times a day. Some days it will end up being 500, others 50 is just enough. It’s you who sets your own boundaries. I love to say: explore your boundaries, yet know your limitations. And be satisfied with every accomplishment, no matter how small.
On top of the walking and easy jogging, I slowly started swimming again. And it helps. I do pick pools that have “warm water” hours, as the warmer the water, the easier it is to move. Half an hour of carefully swimming keeps the neuropathy away for at least a few hours. On top I would advise anyone with neuropathic pains to visit a foot reflex therapist, or a massage parlour that specializes in foot massage. A good massage truly helps. A lot.
Restless painful feet at night? Try one of those “restless legs” creams or oils, for instance “Lait Jambes Lourdes” by Clarins. And yes, I am aware of the fact that it takes some painful moments to get through the pain and start moving (believe me I walk like a penguin when I wake up), yet once you go through the pain and start, you will have less pain in the end.
Wishing you endless happy pain-free, neuropathy-free, moments! And don’t forget: you might just as well do a little dance. It makes you move and smile!
Love, Odette