Saturday, October 19, 2013

Effects of first round of chemotherapy.

So, here's how the first chemo cycle is panning out.  I had the infusion Wednesday and felt o.k. on Wednesday and Thursday.  Mild nausea and just a bit more tired than usual.   I went back to oncology on Thursday for my neulasta shot and for the most part I did not have much nausea, just really felt the fatigue coming on.  Friday came and I became increasingly fatigued as the day wore on.  Energy level was extremely low, mild nausea mid-day and as the day progressed I started having strange sensations in my mouth, tongue feeling a little swollen and dry and a strange taste in mouth.  Late afternoon Friday I started experiencing pains up and down my spine and in my hips so I began the pain meds to try to stay on top of the anticipated bone pain from the neulasta shot.

Friday night was miserable.  I was awake all night with back pain, neck pain, stomach cramps and horrible headache -- feeling like I have a horrible flu which continues today.  I was warned that by days 3-5 I would really start feeling a lot of the side effects and here they are.

So the cycle begins...spiral down, immune system will be at lowest between 7-10 days after infusion and then some increased energy and feeling somewhat better until the next infusion.  Thank God I only have to do this 3 more times.

I am very blessed to have Guy here with me.  He is making sure that I remain hydrated and that I am on top of my meds and food.  When all I want to do is lie down, he encourages me to take a stroll with him every couple of hours to go around the block to get fresh air and once I'm up and outside I do feel an increase of energy.  It's just so hard to motivate myself to get up and do it on my own.   He is a good man.




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