Bif Naked's fingernails

Interesting article in The Globe and Mail about Vancouver singer/actor Bif Naked and her experience with breast cancer. Her perspective on her treatment side effects made me glad that I'm scheduled for only three rounds of Docataxel, but heaven knows I may need more at some point. I had heard that one's fingernails could dissolve (toenails, too?), but when that side effect didn't show up on the handout they gave me at the hospital, I relaxed. I suppose it's not likely to happen after only three cycles. Still, my skin is turning a funny orange colour, and today my face looks puffy and droopy on one side, and diarrhea has begun. I'm having some difficulty with my right hand; slept funny on it, maybe.

I woke up at 3 a.m. again and felt incredibly energetic and centred and not at all lonely or frightened in the dark of my house. I got up, watched an inspiring 20-minute video of Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) speaking about creativity at the TED conference; I lit some candles, did some exercises and stretches, and was suffused with a sense of peace and an ability to be in the moment that has entirely escaped me during the busy daytimes. I then slept from 6 to 8 a.m. and awoke feeling nauseated and crappy, and my back pain was so bad I am now sacked out on the couch in a codeine-induced stupor. I remember the 3 a.m. insomnia from my chemo five years ago, but not these ups and downs, and I'm certainly sicker than I was then.

But it's sunny out again, and I am determined to get out this afternoon, to test-drive my wheelchair!

Re: Bif Naked -- I know nothing of her music, but I saw her once in a charming 2001 Canadian film that was probably seen by me and three other people called Lunch with Charles. I liked her.