Here is my member journey story

I was diagnosed with stomach cancer in July 2021 I received 8 rounds of FOFOX Chemotherapy at Sloan Kettering which included Oxyplatin as part of the regimen Not one word from Sloan about neuropathy

That was followed by full gastrectomy Surgery was a success as was the chemo treatment as I am still in remission today

Throughout the 8 rounds of chemo, Sloan would ask me about any numbness or tingling in my feet or hands to which I replied each time, no

About one month after the last treatment sure enough I started feeling numbness and pain in my feet and was told it was a result of the chemo

Fast forward 5 years almost and have been living with this constant pain ever since

I have tried all meds including gaba, cymbalta, Lyrica, Low Dose Naltrexone

Also tried accupuncture, Calmare Scrambler, Ketamine infusions, steroid injections, Capsascin patches, lidocaine patches, etc

Not to mention ketamine compound cream, various other creams and salves, etc

Not one of these has offered any kind of relief I am Very happy for those out there that report improvement from some of this stuff which only makes me feel like an outlier of sorts

Why hasn’t any of this helped me with this ever present suffering? Is there something I’m doing wrong or missing out on?

The things that do help are being engaged in things that I enjoy which distract me so much that say two hours later I realized that I just had two hours of relief

That includes pick up softball, weekly golfing, spending time with friends and family, But I can’t be distracted 24/7

One last thing that has helped is coming to accept that this is the new normal for me A therapist likened it to being in a tug of war that I can’t win Pain is on one side of the rope and I’m on the other and it’s time to just drop the rope and accept I will never win I can however as I said finally accept this new way of life, continue to keep an open mind about something that might help and try and live life to the fullest at 71 years of age

Oh yes and count the blessings in my life, keep a positive attitude and have gratitude that I am still here Sometimes easier said than done