To this point, chemo #2 has been an entirely different experience than chemo #1. Everyone who saw me or spoke to me after I was given chemo #1 and has now seen or spoke to me after chemo #2 has been amazed. It has become very obvious to all that I received very poor health care at the first facility for chemo #1. It is also becoming apparent the oncologist and the others at the first facility did not know what they were doing or didn’t pay attention to what they were doing or a combination of both.
This time, I am actually able to function. Oh, I have some of the typical things that come along with chemo such as the vomiting and the nausea….regardless of the pills I have to counteract it. The steroids supercharged me for a short time and then dropped out. (But I sure got a lot of stuff done during the supercharged state!) Odors are surrounding me where I never noticed them before and some foods just seem way too gross to even think about eating. Even some of my favorite foods just don’t seem very appealing. Then there is the normal fatigue, body weakness and achy bones. Sometimes, I simply don’t feel too good.
The new cancer center showed me how to give myself the Neulasta shot and I did it just fine the next day after chemo. The pain in my bones from the Neulasta is being kept down due to the pain pills but at the same time, I have only had to take a couple of the pain pills. My teeth are not bothering me at all. I find that one very interesting! And it isn’t because I had a lot of work done on them between this chemo and the first one…..I didn’t. All the dentist had time to do was clean them. I will be going back in after all the chemo and have the rest of the work done on my teeth that is needed. It can’t be put off forever, but at least, as far as I am concerned, the reactions I am showing to chemo #2 has proven it was not my teeth that caused all the problems and certainly did not cause my near death experience with chemo #1!
I realize it is still early. I just had session number two on Friday and this is only Tuesday, but at this same time frame last time, I was so weak I couldn’t get out of bed for any length of time, I was having trouble walking, the pain I was enduring was excruciating, I couldn’t focus my eyes and it was a major effort to talk.
You can be sure I am keeping a close eye on everything right now. Friday I will have my blood draw done to see what my counts are. Those numbers should also tell a story all in themselves!
3 comments:
Another thing, which you may not have been told, is that the first treatment is generally the worst -- it is the one that knocks you right on your butt (even if it doesn't almost kill you). That was my experience, and I know it was the experience of many others who went through chemo. After that first one, the treatments are easier, though you may find that your "normal" days between treatments lessen as you go along.
But keep hydrated, eat lots of protein (whatever you can stomach), and get lots of rest. Just think, two down! Yeah!
I'm glad things have gone so much better. I would have treatments on Thursdays and feel well enough to return to work on Monday. I would be fatigued through the week, but by the weekend I was doing okay. If you continue on at the same rate, you should be feeling better by Friday or Saturday so you can enjoy your weekend and do something fun like see a movie or go for a picnic in a park. Hang in there. It sounds like you are doing just great!
I am really hoping that the first one was the worse! I never want to go through what I went through with that one ever again!
Another factor that is helping is the weather this time is a lot better than last time. This house does not have air conditioning and after chemo #1, we could not get the inside temperature to less that 88/89 at night when we were having that upper 90's stuff outside. During the day, the best we could do was 93 to 95 degrees with close to 90% humidity. It was terrible! This time when I put fluids in me they are staying around a little longer and doing what they are supposed to do!
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