Fingernails and Toenails

For those involved in their own cancer story, I want to talk about what can happen to your fingernails and toenails. I was totally in the dark over these past months. The nurses would look at my nails and ask about my fingers. Never did I have any issues...until the few weeks prior to my last chemo appointment. Suddenly, I had chemo nails. Thought I was going to make it without any problem.

At that time, my fingers and toes started with a soreness that was unsettling. Pulling on my underwear or taking off my socks was a challenge. I couldn't easily unscrew tops on jars. Making the bed was a chore.  And like having a singular sore toe, I kept hitting my fingers and toes across the day on countertops or my computer or sewing machine. They hurt. Every single one really hurt.

Gradually, they developed dark brown lines. My toenails especially turned dark brown. My two big toenails developed a smelly infection. A few of my smaller nails fell off. Weird. Totally. 

Nurses told me that the brown color was like a fungal infection and the best solution was soaking my fingers and toes in a solution of apple cider vinegar and yellow Listerine. I did that for a time, but then applied my own remedy - Vicks Vapor Rub - because Vicks is excellent at fighting fungal infections. We used it on my husband's toes when he had a problem and it solved it with flying colors. The Vicks was my answer!!!! It worked.

My fingers never developed a tingling feeling. Apparently, some individuals will get tingling in their fingers. That is something the nurses call neuropathy. I was fortunate not to go in that direction, and do not think there will be lasting nerve damage.

Also, I had a bad tooth throughout my chemotherapy. There was an upside to that awful, aching tooth: the oncologist prescribed an antibiotic to fight infection. Then, when I had the tooth pulled, the dentist prescribed a second round of the antibiotic. That antibiotic helped fight the toenail infections immensely as did finishing my toxic chemo drugs. Happily, the chemo is no longer feeding my nail infections with its toxicity. 

I address this today so that you will not be frightened if you have your nails turn brown. Stay on top of it with Vicks Vapor Rub. Massage it into and under your nails.

Today, my fingers are tender but no longer hurting. I can type my message to you and it does not hurt. The brown color is retreating. Although the damage has been done to some nails (you can see in my photo how they are turning white), I will probably lose them. Fact is, they will grow back and I will be fine. So will you if this happens to you.

Signed with healing fingers, The quilting cancer girl