Braftovi-induced Calluses: Managing Hand-Foot Syndrome & Treating the Cancer Medication Side-effect

Cancer medications can cause a range of side effects, some more visible than others. For me, the pain in my feet was persistent and worsened over time. The soles developed thick, hard calluses that made walking uncomfortable. This condition not only affected my mobility but also my overall quality of life.

Since stopping Braftovi, the calluses are mostly a cosmetic issue, but they also signal that my feet need special care. I realized that managing these side effects required more than just home remedies. I needed professional help to address the build-up of dead skin.

My Experience at Renew Medispa

Renew Medispa in Trail came highly recommended for its specialized foot care services. During my appointment, Morgan, the technician, carefully examined my feet and explained the treatment plan. She used a blade to gently scrape off about a cup of dead skin from the soles of my feet. This process was thorough but done with great care to avoid any damage.

After removing the dead skin, she applied Elim, a treatment designed to soften and heal the skin. This treatment contains a variety of acids that encourage the skin to shed. My feet were then wrapped to allow the Elim to penetrate deeply. The treatment was left on for about 15 minutes.

After removing the wraps, she scraped more dead skin off of my feet and got it down to just the callus. Then, as a finishing touch, she filed my feet to smooth out the surface and improve their appearance. The difference was remarkable. The calluses were significantly less noticeable. The before and after pictures document the transformation, and the improvement is clear.

After my second Elim treatment at Renew Medispa. You can see the area around my instep is fresh skin.

Maintaining Foot Health Between Treatments

To keep the progress going, I started using a device designed to help control calluses. This tool allows me to gently file my feet at home, preventing the calluses from building up again. The link below is an affiliate link. I may get a commission if you buy products from this post.

This tool is easy to use and it feels promising that it will help my feet. You can buy one HERE . This recommendation is from personal experience. I have used this tool and will continue to use it over the next two weeks.

I have another pedicure appointment scheduled at Renew Medispa on July 6th. I hope that by then, there will be less dead skin to remove, allowing the Elim treatment to work even more effectively. This ongoing care routine gives me confidence that I can make progress battling this side effect and getting my feet more normal.

If you are dealing with foot problems caused by medication or other health issues, here are some tips based on my experience:

• Seek professional foot care: A medical pedicure can safely remove thick calluses and provide treatments that home care cannot.

• Use specialized products: Treatments like Elim can help soften and heal the skin, especially when combined with professional care.

• Maintain regular care at home: Tools like the Nuve Silk 3 Pro can help keep callus growth under control between appointments.

• Monitor your feet closely: Swelling, pain, or changes in skin condition should be addressed promptly to avoid complications.

• Communicate with your healthcare team: Inform your doctors about any side effects so they can provide guidance or adjust treatments if needed.

  
  

Looking Ahead with Hope

I have been off all cancer meds for almost 2 months now. Tomorrow, I have a PET Scan in Kelowna, and the following Monday I will see my oncologist for results. I have a feeling they are going to put me back on the same medication cocktail as I was on previously. This time around, I will have to be more vigilant to intervene quickly if these side effects persist or worsen.

Managing the side effects of cancer medication is a continuous process. My journey with foot swelling, nerve issues, pain, and calluses has taught me the importance of proactive care and seeking the right support. Thanks to Renew Medispa and the treatments I have received, my feet look better, and I feel more mobile and comfortable.

I encourage anyone facing similar issues to explore professional foot care options and to be patient with the healing process. This will be a long road, and I may never again have callus-free feet, but with the right approach, it is possible to reduce discomfort and improve foot health, even when dealing with challenging side effects.

UPDATE: Good news, I actually made significant progress and got smooth feet again.

Taking care of your feet is taking care of your overall well-being. My next pedicure appointment is a step forward in this journey, and I look forward to sharing more updates if I can make any significant progress in how my feet look.