Under Way with Sutent

At 11:30pm last night Steve finally took the dreaded Sutent tablet. We were both so nervous and its amazing really as they are such small un offensive looking pills but knowing what they can do to your body it was with real fear that Steve took the first one. And fear for the side effects and apprehension that they will work to control the cancer. As Steve will need to be on these for the rest of his life or until they stop working or the side effects are too bad.....


We really didn't know what was going to happen and when it may happen! As everyone reacts differently.

In preparation for Steve taking it I had done some research (surprise, surprise!!) and found out that one of the side effects is something which can effect your hands and feet. Blisters and skin cracking on the bottom of your feet and palms of your hands. Which if you get this then obviously walking and particularly playing Golf! are near impossible! And once you get it, it is hard to treat!

So I discovered through speaking to people who have been on Sutent or care for people on it, that the best thing to buy is Udder Cream! And yes this is what you think it is! Cream which farmers use on cows udders! But apparently it is the best thing to rub onto your hands and feet to stop the skin cracking.

Thank goodness for the internet as their aren't many Farm supply shops around here! It was funny really as when I ordered the cream the website asked me what type of cow I had! :-) Was tempted to type in moody but that wasn't one of the options!

Once Steve got over the description on the side of the pot which talked about wiping the cows teats before milking then he has been using it 3 times a day! He is going to have the smoothest feet and hands in Chobham.

Steve slept okay but was awake in pain but this to be honest is what happens most nights. But he wont help himself and wont take pain killers! and it really doesn't matter how much I nag him he will not take pain killers!! Something to do with wanting to know how bad the pain really is. Which in a strange kind of way I understand but I find it so hard to see him in pain and as it happens mainly at night Im not the most patient with him, especially as he wont do what the hospital tell him!!!

Luckily so far he hasn't had any side effects apart from being tired but watching the golf this morning has seemed to help! :-)

We are now waiting to see what other things will happen as a result of the tablets. But are prepared that sickness and diarrhoea are likely and we have tablets for that! Oh and apparently its likely that all of Steve's hair will turn white! The kids comment on this was shame its not near Xmas otherwise he could have played Santa Claus!!!

Steve has a follow up appointment in 2 weeks time to check on how he is doing and he has a scan planned for next week so that they can compare how the cancer is growing since December and then when they scan him at the end of the 1st cycle of Sutent they can see if Sutent is working.

And finally I've been out my bike!!! 6 miles! not too far but far enough for it to really dawn on me the size of the challenge that I've taken on!!